[Paddlewise] Still safety - deep sigh!

First, I'm NOT a big proponent of legislation and bureaucracy.  Second, if knowledgeable people choose to do stupid things that don't put anyone but themselves at risk - let them.  However,  I've got some "buts" I want to throw into the mix and see what happens, and suggest a voluntary option that might increase retailers profits.

We've got some current or ex SAR and USCG folks out there in P'Wise land.  Tell me - when you get the call to go rescue or recover a body from one of these people, aren't you entering a "risk" situation yourself?  Until someone explains to me how I'm wrong, I've got to think that stupid people doing stupid things are putting innocent people in harms way as well.  Therefore, it stands to reason that letting stupid people be stupid is endangering innocent people.  Otherwise, why is SAR such a high risk profession?  Can you refuse to go rescue or recover stupid people?  Yeah, screw the idiots.  But, don't screw the innocent that have to get involved at some point.

Second, what constitutes "stupid people"?  When I think of stupid, I think of people who "know better" and do things anyway.  Who among us has never been stupid under that definition?  I'll admit I've done stupid things, particularly in my youth.  When I think of ignorant, I think of reasonably smart people but who are new to something.  I'd like to think that when I bought my kayak a few years ago, I wasn't stupid, I was ignorant.  Otherwise, it would stand to reason that only stupid people get into the sport, right?  Actually, "anybody" who "ever" began "anything" is "stupid", right?  Or, have they just not learned yet?

I suppose the issue for me is that there is a difference between stupid people, stupid acts,  and uninformed or uneducated people.  I think it's futile to make stupid people smart, we all occasionally do stupid acts, but it can be practical and beneficial to make uniformed or ignorant people informed.  I define stupid as the inability to learn, or educated people who just don't care.

What follows isn't an attempt to pin the responsibility on the retailers.  Think of it as a business opportunity!  :-)  Seriously, "point of sale" just happens to be a good time for the following idea, if the idea is thought to have any merit.  You decide!

A question for the retailers among us - how much would it cost to provide a video with the purchase of each boat? A buck a copy?  Would anybody balk at buying a $2600 boat if the price was $2601?  Who'd even notice?  The following is "only" applied to boat sales, not all the accessory sales.  

The video wouldn't "teach" anything, it would simply discuss topics that new paddlers need to be aware of and suggest ways for them to gain that knowledge.  It could be kind of like a video syllabus for new paddlers on educational topics.  Examples might be - cold water clothing issues, weather issues, rescue issues (not how to do them, but why you need to be aware of them), why would you need a pump, why carry signaling devices, etc.  Again, this isn't instruction in how to do or use this stuff.  It's a "video checklist" of things to be aware of as you get into the sport.  It's also an advertisement for your class offereings and your products.   Are there legalities here if the tone is "go learn a bunch of stuff"?  Probably.  But then again, is it any more of an issue than simply selling the boat without making an attempt to alert the buyer of potential dangers?  The former is omission, the latter is neglect, isn't it?   So, where's the legal problem? 

It's also not legislated or a part of any industry program.  Sam's Club and Wal-Mart need not bother, but wouldn't it be great if individual retailers or the home-made wooden boat folks had something like this that would give well meaning but ignorant paddlers a jump start?  Each retailer is free to do their own thing.... VOLUNTARILY.  Which retailer is going to set the new standard that others in their market follow?

As a retailer, you can't afford a $1 video?  Too much trouble to put one together?  Fine, consider a paper version that lists a variety of topics with each topic accompanied by a suggested reading list.  

Here's the kicker.... it's not being a "do gooder" - it's marketing, brother!  You just might sell some of those books and some of those "accessory" items like spray skirts and flares, once the ignorant get an education.  If nothing else, it might demonstrate goodwill.  When you have local competitors, doesn't goodwill count for something when pricing isn't a differentiator?  Opps, except for that $1 difference. You'll probably make it up in more accessory sales.

And I'll say the following.  I'm *NOT* trying to protect the stupid people from themselves - they'll probably never watch the video anyway or read the paper version.  The goal would be to give a jump start to smart but uneducated people who want to embrace paddling.  Help them understand where to focus some of their learning curve energy.  And, in the process, increase sales through the additional awareness that these new paddlers now have. It's a WIN-WIN, isn't it?  

What have you lost with the "stupid" people?  Nothing.  You didn't spend any additional time with them, and the cost of the materials is built into the price of the boat.  They paid for it even if they throw it away.  Again, who will even notice $1 on the price of a multi-thousand dollar boat?  Consider it a "stupid tax" for those who ignore it.

I'm rambling. I'm done, and donning my flame retardant overalls.  Wake me when it's safe to come out again  :-)

Rick - In Poquoson, locking my doors and pulling the shades until it's someone elses turn to get flamed  



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