Well, FWIW, here are a few thoughts that come to mind, for better or worse... First, rule out the obvious aspect that "accidents", by nature, can happen to the smartest, most prepared paddler. So, we're really dealing with people who fall into one of several categories, such as "smart but unaware", "dumb and unaware", "smart and aware but uncaring", "aware but dumb and inept", etc etc. How do you incent such a diversity of people? I guess you try to find the common denominator, which might be the almighty dollar (or Euro, or whatever). Hit them in the pocketbook and the unaware may take the time and expend the effort to become aware, the uncaring may become caring..... Maybe it's a pipe dream, but read on. The trick is using money to incent the paddler without getting the government involved, and not running up the price of kayaking with a bunch of add-on costs. But, what if paddlers were only charged more for ignoring safety (or at least the awareness of safety issues)? For instance, suppose the retailers and manufacturers offered an industry sanctioned, organized, and administered safety course. The course is free. When you pass, you get a certificate or something. The retailers increase the price of EVERYTHING in the store by 1%. When you buy from them and show them your wallet size certificate (or put your certificate number on file in your outfitters customer account file) you are given a 1% "safety discount". Those who never took the course are not given the discount, would pay 1% more than the rest of us, and thereby fund the program - no cost to the manufacturers, retailers or to you and I who are safety aware. So, would the unaware, care? Well, if I'm buying a $2800 boat, the 1% is significant. If I'm buying a $5 whistle, it isn't.... until I buy a whistle, pump, flares, dye, signal mirror, etc etc. Pennies begin to add up to big bucks. Once a paddler realizes that taking the safety course can save them some significant dollars, and the course itself is free, maybe they'll take the course. Specifics would have to be worked out, like rebating the 1% on the price of a boat if a new paddler takes the course within 3 months of the purchase date, etc. It's more work for the retailers but it's self funded and a safe industry is a growth industry. How many sales have been lost at the last minute when a kayaking death hits the local news or papers and the buyer decides to pursue something else? Beats me, but surely it's kept some folks from entering the sport and spending their money on it. I dunno.... maybe it's a stupid idea or just unimplementable. But, it keeps the government out of it, it's self contained within the industry and the sport, demonstrates good-will and an emphasis on safety by the retailers and the entire industry, it rewards people for safety awareness, is self funding, and money is the universal "attention getter". The course itself wouldn't do much for people like P'Wisers (except when we were new P'Wises). But, for other paddlers who we often read about in the papers, the "discount" may be incentive enough for them to sit through a lecture on safety issues which may create the awareness and end up saving their lives. Just thoughts. Feel free to blow holes in it. Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** 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 Wed Apr 17 2002 - 06:34:37 PDT
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