Paul Murtaugh wrote: [edited heavily] > I was recently part of a four-person overnighter in the > San Juan Islands (WA) [snip] It quickly > became obvious that one of us -- let's call him Mr X -- > was in a league of his own. [he was very unprepared and > was] tall and heavy. An assisted rescue would be > difficult in ideal conditions, nearly impossible with > the overloaded deck. The water temperature was probably > 45-50 degrees F, and the weather was cool and rainy. > Obviously, he was an accident waiting to happen. > The leader was concerned, but let Mr X come along, [snip] > So, my question is, what would you do? How do you deal > with situations like this without coming off as an > insufferable bore, an alarmist, or a pain in the butt? Paul's scenario certainly rang some bells for me. I've been in a situation like this, except that the person was prepared equipmentwise, but not attitudewise. In addition, it developed that he has a phobia about crossings. To top off the list, he also tends to panic in rough water. And, when he does, he wants to grab onto my yak. How to deal with this? Well, I've tried various means. Because I know this guy pretty well, and enjoy paddling with him (he always brings great food), I am trying to get him over his fears, partly by training him on rougher water (controlled conditions), making sure he has done self rescues in cold water rcently, and by keeping my distance when he gets panicky on easy water (when conditions genuinely warrant rafting up, I'll allow that to occur, however). But, to answer Paul's question: ingratiate yourself with "Mr. X" by sharing food, beverages, etc., and striking up a conversation. Then steer the discussion over to some item of gear you use regularly to protect yourself and tout it to appeal to something he cares about. If he is into ogling birds while paddling, emphasize that you have used a paddlefloat outrigger to stabilize your boat for ease in using binocs. If he likes to eat (the grill on the deck is a real tipoff!), explain that you'd like to share the burden, and maybe there is an item he is carrying which is duplicated in your stash ... and you'd let him use yours if he left his at the put in. And so on. I think you get the idea. If this does not work, and the guy is completely intransigent, then move to stronger measures, to make sure he is aware of the extent to which he is jeopardizing others. To wit, explain that if he becomes incapacitated by a hypothermia situation, that will limit everyone else's mobility while they deal with him, and the rest of the group might get stranded or be exposed to dangerous conditions. Sometimes people will feel a responsibility to avoid compromising others' safety even though they are not concerned about their own. (My mother quit her 40-year smoking habit when she realized her second-hand smoke might cause health problems for my father (yeah, I know ... wow!). If the guy is in complete denial and that argument does not begin to change his ways, then haul out the howitizers: confront the group leader and demand the guy be left on the beach. After all, if your unwillingness to "second guess" the leader results in an accident or horrible experience, how will you feel afterward? (I've unfortunately held my tongue once or twice and later regretted it in situtions like the one Paul describes. Sorry to say I have been there and done that!) In any case, do not just accept the situation quietly. Take some steps, beginning with tact and persuasion, but be willing to ramp up the ante to a confrontation. Remember, an unprepared paddler is a serious threat to _your_ safety. Much of what I have detailed should have been forestalled by actions the leader should have taken prior to the launch site. The club which allowed this situation to occur is asking for deep trouble (apologies to Broze and Gronseth). Paul should bring this incident up with the leadership of the club. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Apr 27 2001 - 21:43:14 PDT
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