Re: [Paddlewise] Protecting us, etc.

From: Shawn Baker <shawnkayak_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Thu, 18 Apr 2002 08:04:16 -0700 (PDT)
"skimmer_at_mail3.enter.net" <skimmer_at_mail3.enter.net> wrote:
>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.

Why?  Because like rec boaters, probably even more so, these people do
not wish to believe that their boat could EVER tip or capsize or put
them in the cold water.  Unlike GREEN circle people who _know_ our
craft will sometimes tip over, and we learn to roll or rescue
ourselves.  It's an interesting paradigm.  Even the USCG literature is
predicated upon help magically appearing for those people.  We're
plying the same waters, but first, we have the realization that help
might not appear, so we dress for immersion and train ourselves in
rescue procedures.  Second, if we do need to summon outside assistance,
many kayakers are better-prepared than red circle tin boaters who don't
take a VHF, or flares, or _always_ wear a PFD, or wear immersion
protection for the potentially long wait.

After watching 'Titanic', I told my wife I would never go on a cruise
without packing my drysuit.

Shawn

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Received on Thu Apr 18 2002 - 08:04:20 PDT

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