I have a question. Is the paddler who overburdens him/herself with rescue and safety equipment considered to be safer simply by the mere presence of all of the crap they carry? Just how much crap does one need to throw into their boat to be considered safe? I'm sure that without too much effort I could completely fill my boat with rescue and safety equipment to the point that I would be able to carry little else, like clothes and food. Would I then be considered safer on the water then all of you? Where does one draw the line? We have all heard of the exploits, and boat outfitting of Mr. Lloyd, and although I feel he has a tendency to take it a bit to the extreme, I at least can understand his reasoning behind it as he routinely paddles in some pretty challenging stuff. Is it really necessary for the average Joe paddler to try and emulate Mr. Lloyd and to be expedition equipped for a simple leisurely day trip down the coast? I have seen (and paddled with) many a paddler who seems to think so. Several people have mentioned the importance of needing to practice with the safety equipment they carry. Could it be that it is in fact that practice, and the skills derived from such exercise, that is building a stronger and safer paddler rather then the equipment they carry? Isn't it even possible that some paddlers, particularly those beginner types often in question, might in fact be inclined to take even greater risks due to the false security of having a pile of rescue and safety equipment in their boat? I will take a good dose of rational thinking and common sense over all of the rescue equipment in the world. I believe the emphasis in this sport should be on prevention rather then recovery. I believe that the vast majority of average Joe paddlers would be far better off learning to paddle with some restraint and practicing skills rather then wasting their money on a bunch of unnecessary equipment which the paddler SHOULD never need! OK, I'm braced for all of the back channel abuse from all of you techno junkies out there. Scott So.Cal. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
> I will take a good dose of rational thinking and common sense > over all of > the rescue equipment in the world. I believe the emphasis in this sport > should be on prevention rather then recovery. I believe that the vast > majority of average Joe paddlers would be far better off learning > to paddle > with some restraint and practicing skills rather then wasting > their money on > a bunch of unnecessary equipment which the paddler SHOULD never need! Hopefully you will never need the equipment, but you need to plan for the unexpected. What if your leisurely paddle suddenly changes due to extreme weather conditions? Suppose someone in your group suddenly needs urgent medical attention? Certainly good judgment and skills should be the first choice, but I think you should be ready to cope with an emergency. I am sure the folks in Homer thought they were doing a leisurely paddle until the weather changed. I was on the river when another party had a drowning, it was fairly easy class 3 river, no unusual conditions but a boat flipped, a loose fitting lifejacket came off, and the party had no throw bags. I was talking with our trip leader in Baja and he told me this story. His group was paddling in Baja when one of the members became extremely weak. Her health continued to decline, but luckily they had a tandem kayak and were able to put her in with a strong paddler. She continued to weaken so they finally called for help on their VHF radio. The group knew Nols was monitoring channel 23 and they sent a motor boat to get her out. She flew back to Los Angeles to receive emergency medical attention while waiting in the emergency room she suddenly lost all her vision. It was her first MS attack fortunately, with treatment, she recovered her vision. Where would she have been without that worthless VHF radio? Everyone's skills were up to the challenge. Stuff happens and you need to be prepared. I have never filled up my boat with safety equipment it fits in a bag behind my seat and I keep the radio in my deck bag (I may have to rethink my deck bag!). Hopefully I will never need it but it might make the difference between life and death someday. I have had people ask me about the knife on my life jacket and I tell them because when it is needed it might be in a life or death situation, and in that case I would rather have it. If I am trapped between my raft and a rock I will be thankful I have the knife. -- MZ visit my website: http://www.mzuschlag.com *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 11:30 AM 1/26/02 -0500, Scott wrote: > I have a question. Is the paddler who overburdens him/herself with rescue >and safety equipment considered to be safer simply by the mere presence of >all of the crap they carry? Just how much crap does one need to throw into >their boat to be considered safe? I normally paddle a race surf ski. I also usually paddle for just a few hours, rarely more than a mile from shore. My surf ski is a sit on top craft with no hatches and no deck lines, it's also black with medium blue trim. I fully understand that if I screw up I'm on my own. It takes me about 7 seconds to tip over and get back on the boat. I've paddled it, like a surf board, lying down - just in case I ever break my paddle. My complete set of gear consists of what I'm wearing plus my pfd, with water, a whistle, and some food. Performing rescues from this boat is not really an option. I could coach a rescue or raft up but would not be able to actively participate beyond that (the boat would probably break if used in a T rescue). Am I an unsafe paddler? The local club would not let me join their trips without changing what I carry. In my car I have a wide range of clothing options before I head out. I spend a fair amount of time determining what to wear, because that IS my safety gear. I also rarely push my limits - I've had a grand total of 4 unintentional capsizes in 20 years (3 silly accidents and one of pushing my limits). I should include I paddle in New England where wind is far more of a factor than waves. kirk choosing to paddle as a minimalist. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Kirk wrote: - >I normally paddle a race surf ski. I also usually paddle for >just a few hours, rarely more than a mile from shore. My surf >ski is a sit on top craft with no hatches and no deck lines, >it's also black with medium blue trim. I fully understand that >if I screw up I'm on my own. It takes me about 7 seconds to tip >over and get back on the boat. G'Day Kirk, Would you say that a surf ski has different criteria for safety? Its easy to fall off, easy to get back on again and fast. I've always thought it was one of the safest craft for paddling in warm water harbour/estuary environments. I would imagine you would need a different (less comprehensive) set of safety gear than for a sit in kayak paddled on the open sea. Colors don't seem all that safe for a crowded harbour! Though I guess its fair to assume that noone can see you anyway and its up to the paddler to avoid collisions. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
At 06:59 AM 1/29/02 +1100, PeterO wrote: >Would you say that a surf ski has different criteria for safety? It depends on the surf ski and paddler. Some are basically a sea kayak with a surface mounted cockpit. On those lines and hatches are available. Thigh straps are also possible to make them rollable. One local has a surf ski that he can't get back on, if he tips over (the surf ski is "tall" with a 14", 35cm, waterline). Paddling solo is not a safe option for him. Around here the primary safety issue for the surf ski is clothing. When I paddle I'm soaked, rarely if ever will I be dry below the waist. Dressing for immersion is a serious consideration. >Its easy to >fall off, easy to get back on again and fast. I've always thought it was one >of the safest craft for paddling in warm water harbour/estuary environments. >I would imagine you would need a different (less comprehensive) set of >safety gear than for a sit in kayak paddled on the open sea. A surf ski is quite at home on the open sea. I've got a particular problem since I have no storage in which to stash or lash any gear. I also paddle inhabited areas, finding a secluded area is a challenge. The surf ski works well for my particular use (although being wet the whole time gets real tiring). If I paddled secluded areas, or pushed my limits I would definitely carry more safety gear. >Colors don't >seem all that safe for a crowded harbour! Though I guess its fair to assume >that noone can see you anyway and its up to the paddler to avoid collisions. I paddle a black boat with a forest green pfd and a black paddle, I paddle as if I'm completely invisible. I avoid channels and paddle close to fixed objects (bouys, docks, shallows etc., moored turned off boats) kirk *************************************************************************** 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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