Re: [Paddlewise] Helmet Stowage/PFD

In a message dated 4/22/2002 8:15:40 PM Pacific Daylight Time, 
ptreby_at_ozemail.com.au writes:


> If you take a PFD, but don't wear it all the time, where do you store the 
> thing meanwhile? I think it's easiest to wear it.
> Same with a helmet. I wouldn't mind the option of taking one and putting it 
> on when surfing, or near rocks etc, but where can you stow it? I don't want 
> a helmet on deck, and I don't want to wear it all the time.
> 

   So what you're saying is that always wearing your pfd is simply a matter 
of convenience?

   My beef is with these people who say "if you don't wear your pfd then you 
can't paddle with me." We are required by law to have a pfd in our boats when 
we are on the water. OK, I can do that. We ARE NOT required by law to be 
wearing them for the very simple reason that there is NO COMPELLING EVIDENCE 
to conclude that we are any safer while wearing our pfd's then we are while 
not wearing them. 
   I absolutely concede that pfd's have saved lives. So have tow ropes, 
EPIRB's, paddlefloats, VHS radios, cell phones, flares, etc.. But how many of 
you require that all of this various safety and rescue equipment be present 
in an individuals boat before they can join your group? The trend these days 
seems to be that one MUST WEAR their pfd in order to participate. WHY? I am 
willing to learn. I fully accept the possibility that I might be wrong here. 
So educate me.
   Whether or not I wear my pfd should be MY CHOICE! Not yours. If you could 
show me that wearing a pfd has a significant impact in a sea kayakers safety 
then I would be more then willing to reconsider my position here. But I just 
don't see it! You folks piss and moan about the French kayaking regulations. 
I'm sure that they think that they are doing the right thing in regard to 
public safety as well. Isn't requiring me to wear my pfd in order to paddle 
with you right along the same lines as the French stomping on my rights?

Scott
So.Cal.

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