[Paddlewise] Protecting us, etc.

How long were the two Victoria victims in the water before one went 
under and the other was rescued?


Courses widely advertized and promoted are good. Course certificates 
can be helpful. 

My argument is that all sources of information are not speaking with 
the same voice. I believe this is a critically important flaw in the 
marine information stream.

I believe that most of the low end paddlers that are getting into 
trouble come to rec boat paddling from the "Tin Boat" culture that 
follows the USCG advice to dress in layers, keep their clothes on if 
the are over the side, and "huddle" motionless until help magically 
appears.

Picture two circles that contain all small craft boaters (tin boats 
for fishermen, kayaks-canoes for trained paddlers). Give the paddlers 
one circle and color it green (Ridge safety rating system). Give the 
tin-boat folks the other circle and color it RED. Let the tin-boat 
circle overlap a little into the Green circle. Make the overlap RED 
to indicate tin-boat people that get the idea one day that it would 
be fun to try one of those REC boats-SOOO easy, ya see!)

Our courses etc, as before, ain't reaching these folks. Until the 
tin boat magazines, small open boat training programs, fishing clubs, 
teach the red circle people the same message that we provide the GREEN 
circle people, we will continue to have an ample supply of VICTORIA-type 
cases. 

This isn't promoting regulations; it's getting everyone to speak the 
same language relative to open water boating. NONE of the RED circle 
people have ever heard of fuzzy rubber. Most victims with such gear 
and a PFD would end up listed as survivors. It would be a vast new 
income stream for folks that manufacture that stuff. WHY AREN'T THEY 
INTERESTED?  I just don't understand.

Chuck Sutherland
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