RE: [Paddlewise] Safety Gear Dependence/Use of VHF

From: TomL <tletourn_at_maine.rr.com>
Date: Thu, 12 Sep 2002 21:12:38 -0400
Enjoyed reading your comments, Doug. Heartfelt and insightful. Made me 
pause and think (much more than usual). I don't think your headaches got in 
the way of reason and clarity. No... not at all! Get well soon.

At 12:34 PM 9/12/2002 -0700, you wrote:
>Interestingly enough, I only recently acquired a VHF radio after years
>of substantial marine wonderings, never once relying on outside help. I
>had to be forced into an CG Aux. Zodiac once due to my self reliant
>philosophy; and once I would not actively participate in firing of
>flares to attract outside attention which could have made a situation
>much worse and even meant death or injury to the other paddlers -- just
>because I felt so strongly that paddlers should be able to take care of
>themselves. I was heavily criticized for the lack of cooperation in the
>rescue attempt. I still try and keep to the spirit of this philosophy,
>but now recognize that sometimes you just have to see your tax dollars
>at work. An indifferent, often seemingly menevolant ocean can leave you
>no options. In closing, I'd be inclined to put John Lull's book on
>anyone's reading list as a primer, and add that there is still room for
>more books that perhaps define and explore the issue of sea kayaking and
>risk management to an even greater degree

Tom LeTourneau
Wells, Maine

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Received on Thu Sep 12 2002 - 18:12:33 PDT

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