I consider myself to be a newbie kayaker. I have had a boat for about 2 years and did several long trips before I purchased my boat. I carry safety equipment, VHF radio, tow line, knife, flares, first aid kit, and I own a dry suit. My concerns about safety come from my extensive white water experience. I have been rafting for about 18 years, have done many long raft trips, taken several swift water rescue classes and always carry a full set of safety gear in my raft. I consider my self an extremely experienced rafter. I have been on trips when members of my party had accidents, including a broken nose from a serious flip, and when other groups had accidents and a drowning. I work for the Forest Service and was responsible for managing a class V white water river (Illinois) in Oregon. As the agency administrator I was involved in a search and rescue of 19 people including 2 dead. I had to talk with worried family members about their missing loved ones. I know what can happen close up and personal, so it was a natural transition for me to focus on safety for my sea kayaking. I have enough experience to know that I am an inexperienced sea kayaker, and I try to stay within in the limits of my ability. The book Deep Trouble was enormously helpful in helping me to decided what safety gear to purchase. Sign me a safety fanatic! -- MZ visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com > 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"? Was it the kayak > salesman? Did you ever wonder if you were being victimized with all those > accessories? > > Another question is the definition of "expert". *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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