The thesis that adding safety gear makes a paddler more willing to take risks has been debated here quite a bit. Paddlewise graybeards may recall John Winters reference to the notion that each person has a level of _perceived_ risk that he/she tolerates. Don't have the URL's handy, but there is good research to show this is true for many different cohorts of risk-takers. I think it may be available off John's Web site. There is no avoiding the problem. The best defense is to be aware of the tendency to increase one's risk-taking as a piece of safety gear is added, and look inward to make sure the risk level is not unreasonable. For me, a prime piece of gear is my VHF radio. Having it, I DO feel more secure ... and I have used it a couple of times when other paddlers were having difficulty. So, how does that factor in? If I did not regularly carry the VHF, some other paddlers might have been injured or lost their lives. That should be considered, also. My pet peeve, BTW, on carrying a VHF is that 90% of paddlers I know paddle with the danged thing turned off. Their thinking is that they will use it when they need help. Well, the idea behind asking most powered vessels to have a VHF turned on is that this forms a web of listeners to intercept emergency calls from boaters in trouble. The same idea applies to paddlers. Those who expect their Mayday on 16 to be heard may not have it heard, because all the other paddlers in their range have their VHF's turned off. Sure, the chatter on 16 is annoying and breaks the serenity of a quiet cove ... well, keep it down low and consider it part of the price to pay for expecting another paddler to help you. - Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The link: http://pavlov.psyc.queensu.ca/target/index.html Craig ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Kruger" <kdruger_at_pacifier.com> Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] Safety Gear Dependence/Use of VHF > The thesis that adding safety gear makes a paddler more willing to take risks > has been debated here quite a bit. Paddlewise graybeards may recall John > Winters reference to the notion that each person has a level of _perceived_ > risk that he/she tolerates. Don't have the URL's handy, but there is good > research to show this is true for many different cohorts of risk-takers. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Dave said: <<< The thesis that adding safety gear makes a paddler more willing to take risks has been debated here quite a bit.>>> Yeah, like, add infinitum! Bringing it up again is almost like a troll, if it were not for the fact a few new subscribers can always benefit from a rehash. And, perhaps, new light can be shed or a new perspective gained -- or even someone on the list who has just purchased some new piece of safety gear might step back and reevaluate their supposedly new safety level, or see their gear in new light (like monitoring 16 more often). <<<Paddlewise graybeards may recall John Winters reference to the notion that each person has a level of _perceived_risk that he/she tolerates. Don't have the URL's handy, but there is good research to show this is true for many different cohorts of risk-takers. I think it may be available off John's Web site.>>> He had some good stuff on his Web site, for sure. But perhaps what John missed, and perhaps what has been missing in some of our assessments of this issue (other than the fact safety is such a subjective issue for the mariner) is the overall preoccupation with hazard _avoidance_. I'm just reading through John Lull's new book on sea kayaking safety and rescues, and I love his emphasis of teaching paddlers to _expect_ trouble; to prepare for it, train for it, train in it. This is a refreshing approach. His comments reflect many of ours with respect to safety equipment -- that safety devices are backups to good skill and judgment. You need the paddling skills to handle the conditions and the judgment to know your level of skill in the correct context.This seems obvious to most of us on the list. <<<There is no avoiding the problem. The best defense is to be aware of the tendency to increase one's risk-taking as a piece of safety gear is added, and look inward to make sure the risk level is not unreasonable.>>> Another point I wanted to make regards those who make derogatory remarks about paddlers and "all their safety gear..." We need to define this a bit more. There is safety gear one uses to extract themselves from a predicament, both solo paddling and in a group dynamic situation. Paddlefloats, SeaSeats, sponsons, tow lines, pumps, spare paddles, canoe paddle on the front deck, stirrup, GPS...and all the other things we carry to HELP US RESCUE OURSELVES or even stay out of trouble so we_don't_ need to call for outside assistance. How dare anyone put down a safety conscious paddler for carrying this type of safety gear proactively. Sure, the merits of PFD wearing can be debated, as can other items and their usefulness, but don't diss those who employ what they feel necessary to make their recreational activity safer. I know you don't, Dave, but folks make some of the most simplistic statements at times, and I'm not sure if it is to get a response, or if they really don't understand that life isn't black and white. Your take was right on, and mature. <<<For me, a prime piece of gear is my VHF radio. Having it, I DO feel more secure ... and I have used it a couple of times when other paddlers were having difficulty. So, how does that factor in?>>> Now we switch to devices that are possibly used to call for outside assistance. This is another category of safety equipment that has another level of advocacy. VHF radios, cell phones, flares, signal mirrors, EPIRBs and the like. Now this is where I agree we need to show some vigilance as to how we as paddlers represent and rely on these devices. Having said that, some type of communication device DOES make you safer. But folks shouldn't necessarily throw this level of equipment in with "all that safety equipment you gear heads carry" type of comment. The clearest marine forecasts come from a VHF usually. Letting a spouse back at home know you are delayed by using the cell phone can avoid unnecessary searches. Unexpected fog and subsequent disorientation can be alleviated by VHF signal triangulation with the CG. An unexpected shoulder dislocation at sea - heck, I wouldn't feel guilty sending out a "Pan, Pan." The list goes on. Carrying these devices, to me, is THE responsible thing to do. Paddling with others doesn't mean ultimate safety, either. Need to shoot a flare? Well then, yes, something has gone wrong, but why not carry the best flares you can, and add to your arsenal related distress equipment that will actually attract attention or pinpoint your position, or even gain wider attention if smaller flares don't work. Maybe everyone doesn't need to carry a parachute flare, but don't criticize those who do, who paddle in areas where their eventual use might prove beneficial. I don't know of one Coast Guard official who would consider carrying both self-help devices and ultimate back-up attraction/communication devices as a sign of weakness. <<<If I did not regularly carry the VHF, some other paddlers might have been injured or lost their lives. That should be considered, also. My pet peeve, BTW, on carrying a VHF is that 90% of paddlers I know paddle with the danged thing turned off.>>> <snip> And that highlights the responsible paddler profile - one who contemplates and prepares to be part of the water-going community, where mutual responsibility and respect should be the norm. I realize the discussion was really reflecting the sentiment that -- reliance on, and overutalization off -- safety equipment in general over soft skills/good judgment was reprehensible. In summary, I'm saying the situation isn't that cut and dry. Heck, you've got Dowds saying judgment and seamanship are all that is important; BCU/ACA/CRCA participants declaring paddling strokes/bracing/rolls are the prime denominator for safety; and techno-weenies festooned with various levels of gear garnishing smiles of approval from add-on retail sales marketers. Somewhere in all this is balance. Each one of us needs to find the right balance for the type of paddling we do and the type of craft we ply and the type of water we are plying on. 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. Doug Lloyd (ranting at home with a migrain today) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
A guy in my shop today told me about a former paddling partner of his who among other things once set off a flare (and got a helicopter response) when he didn't know which way to turn along a shoreline to find the campsite he was looking for. The guy in the store said he pointed out to him later that since he was carrying his camping equipment with him it didn't really matter which way he went as he could have made a camp in either direction. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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