Re:[Paddlewise] safety

--- Kevin Whilden <kevin_at_yourplanetearth.org> wrote:
> Why do people who preach safety in the realm of sea
> kayaking often find
> resistance and derision?
>...<snip>
> Conversely, if some new paddlers started out as an
> immediate Safety Wonk,
> with full drysuit, flares, VHF, float bag, tow
> system, river knife, etc...,
> what convinced you to shell out the "long green"?
...

What convinced me from the beginning to not paddle
outside my equipment/training level?  I think it's
exposure to the unbiased rage of nature.  My house
burned flat to the ground in 2 hours.  My 47 year old
husband dropped dead of cardiac arrest.  S**t happens,
it happens to anyone, specifically it happens to me. 
Exposure to this level of reality helps you develop a
respect for forces you cannot control.  You seek to
understand the parameters of the environment you
enter, and take precautions that tilt the odds of
survival in your favor.  You never forget that none of
this eliminates risk, it merely reduces it.  You
reduce it to the level that is acceptable and go
forward.  

Without exposure to "reality", for lack of a better
word, folks fundamentally believe that s**t will not
ever happen to them.  I have not ever determined how
to instill respect for potential consequence in anyone
who is predisposed to cling to immortality/immunity. 
Broze/Gronseth and others who expose the consequences
of folly through writing/lecture achieve this to some
degree for those who choose to pay attention and/or
read the book.  The rest have to learn the lessons the
hard way - and in fact, some avoid the lessons
altogether through some magic or serendipity.

Sea kayaking is routinely marketed as 'entry-level
kayaking, accessible to everyone'.  The marketing is a
huge disservice, but sells a bunch of plastic.  The
only counteraction to the hype is public education and
awareness from the kayaking community and the solid
example of seasoned kayakers on the water.  Take every
soapbox opportunity - it may save a life!
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