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From: David Seales <aieae_at_ntplx.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 20:15:14 -0400
I can't believe some of the responses to this thread. From people who train 
themselves to handle a water emergency, who roll their boats upside down 
for fun, who you would assume are at home in the water and prepared for it 
by wearing a PFD and proper clothing. I would not hesitate...I would get 
out of the boat and push it to them. Will this make me another victim? Yeah 
maybe. But that would hurt a lot less then watching a father and son out 
for an afternoon sail or a couple of 10 year old kids who stole the family 
canoe disappear while I was sitting in a floating boat, blowing up my 
paddle float and trying to talk them into being calm.

dave
who likes to sleep at night 

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From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 21:39:49 -0700 (PDT)
> From: David Seales <aieae_at_ntplx.com>

> I can't believe some of the responses to this thread. From people who train 
> themselves to handle a water emergency, who roll their boats upside down 
> for fun, who you would assume are at home in the water and prepared for it 
> by wearing a PFD and proper clothing. I would not hesitate...I would get 

Rather judgemental, wouldn't you say?  Since no one, not even Ralph who
describes the event, was present, then we all interpret the event in our
own way compared to our own experiences with our own visual imagery. 

Ralph described conditions that were choppy due to being shallow.  My first
experiences with sea kayaking came from the Texas gulf coast where the
water is shallow compared to the west coast and big chop could happen fast
and be pretty intimidating.  I think those that wrote that you have no idea 
what you will do for sure until face-to-face with the situation are right on
target.  The two fellows that panicked and took off and left me behind 
when severe weather conditions suddenly exploded also never thought they 
would leave an individual in distress behind.  I was lucky.  I made it.

So, I'd say you should come down from that high horse and remember that
folks react to situations in different ways... what's best for themselves 
and the situation being discussed here is pretty much left to the imagination
since none of us were actual witnesses to the event.

I don't have a problem with people making the wise decision to not cause
more casualties by putting themeslves at risk, possibly creating additional 
victims meaning more risk to rescue personnel.

Jackie
 
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From: <LedJube_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 00:53:56 EDT
    I have to agree with Dave.  I would find inaction dishonorable. It would 
be impossible to live with the scenario he descibed. Better death with honor. 
 Better still to wait until they are too weak to fight then keep them (and 
me) alive. And everyone can live to enjot another day.

Jed

In a message dated 8/18/00 4:08:04 AM, aieae_at_ntplx.com writes:

<< I can't believe some of the responses to this thread. From people who 
train 
themselves to handle a water emergency, who roll their boats upside down 
for fun, who you would assume are at home in the water and prepared for it 
by wearing a PFD and proper clothing. I would not hesitate...I would get 
out of the boat and push it to them. Will this make me another victim? Yeah 
maybe. But that would hurt a lot less then watching a father and son out 
for an afternoon sail or a couple of 10 year old kids who stole the family 
canoe disappear while I was sitting in a floating boat, blowing up my 
paddle float and trying to talk them into being calm. >>

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From: <LedJube_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 01:06:41 EDT
In a message dated 8/18/00 4:43:26 AM, jackie_at_intelenet.net writes:

<< Rather judgemental, wouldn't you say?  Since no one, not even Ralph who
describes the event, was present, then we all interpret the event in our
own way compared to our own experiences with our own visual imagery.  >>

    I believe we're talking scenarios here. Not a specific example. No one is 
being critisized for inaction. Dave was just voicing his opinion. Is strong 
moral conviction considered judgemental in these pc days?.

    << I think those that wrote that you have no idea  what you will do for 
sure until face-to-face with the situation are right on target.   >>

    Agreed, but Ralph's post solicited opinions regarding possible actions. 
So that's what thirty other posts have done, offered their opinion. What 
makes Dave's opinion so offensive?

    << So, I'd say you should come down from that high horse and remember 
that folks react to situations in different ways... what's best for 
themselves and the situation being discussed here is pretty much left to the 
imagination since none of us were actual witnesses to the event. >>

    I didn't read the same "holier than thou" attitude that you did in his 
post.

    << I don't have a problem with people making the wise decision to not 
cause
more casualties by putting themeslves at risk, possibly creating additional 
victims meaning more risk to rescue personnel. >>

    This was a harbor, in chop, not in the middle of a storm. The risk to 
rescue personnel isn't the issue since they are not present in this scenario. 
Why does this one opinion trouble you so much? I didn't hear him condem other 
peoples solutions.  Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

Jed
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From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2000 22:38:44 -0700 (PDT)
From: LedJube_at_aol.com
> 
> In a message dated 8/18/00 4:43:26 AM, jackie_at_intelenet.net writes:
> 
> << Rather judgemental, wouldn't you say?  Since no one, not even Ralph who
> describes the event, was present, then we all interpret the event in our
> own way compared to our own experiences with our own visual imagery.  >>
> 
>     I believe we're talking scenarios here. Not a specific example. No one is 
> being critisized for inaction. Dave was just voicing his opinion. Is strong 
> moral conviction considered judgemental in these pc days?.

Yes, Dave was being critical of how others described their reaction
to the situation.  I don't see how you missed it.  

>     << I think those that wrote that you have no idea  what you will do for 
> sure until face-to-face with the situation are right on target.   >>
> 
>     Agreed, but Ralph's post solicited opinions regarding possible actions. 
> So that's what thirty other posts have done, offered their opinion. What 
> makes Dave's opinion so offensive?

Dave passed judgement on how others described they way in which *they*
would handle a similar situation which he *thinks* would be different than
his own. 

>     << I don't have a problem with people making the wise decision to not 
> cause
> more casualties by putting themeslves at risk, possibly creating additional 
> victims meaning more risk to rescue personnel. >>
> 
>     This was a harbor, in chop, not in the middle of a storm. The risk to 
> rescue personnel isn't the issue since they are not present in this scenario. 

This is disengenuous.  My comment suggests possibilities of becoming a
victim if you don't know what you are doing.  Rescue personnel are generally
part of any rescue scenario.  

Above you stated we were talking scenarios and not specific situations.  Which
is it?  I stated because those that described their particular reaction were
not actually witnesses to the scene and were interpreting events prejudiced
by their own experiences could be interpreting something different than Dave.
I believe his was a rush to judgement on their discussion of what they might
or might not do.

> Why does this one opinion trouble you so much? I didn't hear him condem other 
> peoples solutions.  Me thinks the lady doth protest too much.

And your point is?  It would appear you are implying something here.  

I think you need to go back and re-read his message.  His beginning sentence
as well as his signature suggests otherwise, imo.

Jackie

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From: <LedJube_at_aol.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 07:31:32 EDT
LedJube_at_aol.com wrote:
 << Me thinks the lady doth protest too much. >>

bob_at_intelenet.net writes:
<<  You, sir, have gone too far. 

You are implying by this statement that Jackie has in fact abandoned other 
people in possibly mortal danger, and objected to Dave Seal's posting only to 
justify her own actions.

This is incredibly insulting, and I suggest you apologize at once. 

If this was not what you intended to imply, I suggest you reconsider
exactly what it means to "protest too much". >>

Mr Myers
    It is not I, Sir,  who has insulted Jackie, but rather you in your rush 
to judgement regarding my post. An innocent post asking why Jackie was so 
struck by David's post would never insult such a woman. Your response totally 
confuses me and is significantly in error.
    I found David's post struck a note in my heart, but after reading 
Jackie's response I can understand the tone that she must have read in 
David's post and to that end I do appologize. I do not however appologize to 
using the phase "..doth protest too much". David offered a honest opinion 
regarding a solution to the scenario as he described it. My comment was 
written and intended in the denotation of the words used. It was a very 
thinly veiled attempt to say that I felt Jackie was overly strong in her 
handling of David's post. That I think a dicussion on his scenario would have 
served us all. 
    Disagreement, in a forum like this, adds a depth of richness to the 
dicussion and to PaddleWise in general. Quelching  differing opinions 
cheapens both.

<< You are implying by this statement that Jackie has in fact abandoned other 
people in possibly mortal danger, and objected to Dave Seal's posting only to 
justify her own actions. >>

    The english language is a wonderful thing, so rich and concise. So how is 
God's name, did you deduce this understanding from my words? Nevermind, don't 
tell me, I haven't the inclination to waste any more time to correct your 
lack of understanding on this. You, sir are welcome to your opinion of me and 
of my motives. It matters not. Isn't America great?

Jed Luby

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From: Bill Hansen <bhansen2_at_twcny.rr.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 13:00:44 -0400
This has been a very interesting and instructive thread, but in the last day
it's degenerating into an exchange of hurt feelings. Can we let these go and
get on with things - maybe on to other topics too?

Bill Hansen
Ithaca NY


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From: Joe Pylka <pylka_at_castle.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 10:25:13 -0400
>I can't believe some of the responses to this thread. From people who train
>themselves to handle a water emergency, who roll their boats upside down
>for fun, who you would assume are at home in the water and prepared for it
>by wearing a PFD and proper clothing. I would not hesitate...

        I fit those criteria, and I Would hesitate!  I know that I am
competent.  I know also that I cannot assume competence in the victims...
And I also know enough to take my level of competence into account as to how
I make the decision.  Yes, I'm good, but does that by itself compromise my
objectivity regarding the situation?
        The word Before Reach, Throw, and Go is    Survey!
It is not just the scene but also the resources... including yourself.

Joe P.


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From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Re How would you deal with the following situation
Date: Fri, 18 Aug 2000 10:46:48 -0400 (EDT)
On Thu, 17 Aug 2000, David Seales wrote:

> I can't believe some of the responses to this thread. From people who train 
> themselves to handle a water emergency, who roll their boats upside down 
> for fun, who you would assume are at home in the water and prepared for it 
> by wearing a PFD and proper clothing. I would not hesitate...I would get 
> out of the boat and push it to them. Will this make me another victim? Yeah 
> maybe.

In the original scenario there were 2 panicked victims in the water.

I'm an avid roller, race kayaks, swim 3 to 4 miles a week, and former 
lifeguard.  I'm still not getting near 2 panicked swimmers until they calm
down.  While they are panicked I would make them chase my boat.  When
BOTH calm down I might let them touch the boat, until then I'm making them
chase me.  The rescue scenario changes when both are no longer 
panicking.  As long as one is panicking they are a danger to my safety.  

> But that would hurt a lot less then watching a father and son out 
> for an afternoon sail or a couple of 10 year old kids who stole the family 
> canoe disappear while I was sitting in a floating boat, blowing up my 
> paddle float and trying to talk them into being calm.

I would do my damnedest to help them, but I'm still not putting myself into
any potentially lethal danger that I don't know how to get out of.  

Mark Lane pointed out potential liablity for whacking a person with a paddle.
If a panicked person is touching me or my boat, putting me in danger, and 
doesn't respond to my requests, and actions, to let go I'm going to risk the 
lawsuit.

kirk
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