Re: [Paddlewise] ACA Critical Judgment report

At 11:22 AM 4/17/03 -0400, Nick Schade wrote:
>On Thursday, April 17, 2003, at 10:09 AM, Dave Kruger wrote:
>
>>"Nick Schade" <nick_at_guillemot-kayaks.com> wrote:
>>
>>>I won't try to justify the ACA in grouping white water with sea
>>>kayaking, however at this point most accident statistics glom all
>>>canoeing and kayaking into one group. Even if it is not perfect,
>>>differentiating between canoes and kayaks is at least an improvement
>>>over existing record keeping. [snip]
>>
>>>If we don't want to burdensome regulation on our sport, the best bet is
>>>to work to see that the casual paddler is safer. It is very unlikely
>>>that any mandatory certification would require learning a specific
>>>rescue technique. It would most like require you spend a few hours in a
>>>class room then pass a written test. [snip]
>>
>>Yeah, I suspect you have it nailed, Nick.  If it were like hunter safety
>>requirements before use of firearms to hunt, I'd be a lot more inclined to
>>support the concept -- firearms can hurt others, more than they hurt the
>>person pulling the trigger.
>><snip>
>>In my own speckled introduction to paddling, it was actually el stupido
>>mongo WW rafting on Class IV - V water (with no preparation) that could have
>>killed me at a young age.  That I did not Darwin out is a testament to luck
>>more than skill.  A little mandatory instruction on what the minimum safety
>>requirements for WW rating might have prevented me from my near-death
>>experiences.  (Yeah, there were two of them -- I learn slowly;  both are so
>>embarrassing I can't share them, even now, some 35 years later.  Ooof.)
>
>Personally I am not in favor of mandatory class/tests. While they may 
>work, they would tend to be a blunt instrument. My main objection is for 
>those who want to start the sport. Should it be necessary that my 8 year 
>old nephew attend a class and pass a course before I can let him try 
>paddling? If I want to introduce some friends to the sport, should they 
>have to attend a class and pass a test before I can put them in a boat and 
>go for a paddle? Should everyone have to attend a class and pass a test 
>before they can try kayaking to see if they like it? I would be more 
>inclined to say "yes" if the class required getting out on the water, but 
>actual paddling is not likely to be involved in any certification requirement.

Mandatory certification classes would likely drive many budding kayak shops 
out of business.  I know that at my friends shop the vast majority of his 
business came from his rentals.  On the other hand, an outfitter that sends 
complete beginners out in kayaks should have at least some moral 
responsibility for providing a safe introduction to the sport.  For 
example, since the water is still quite cold her he hasn't started offering 
rentals to the general public even though the air temperature was 80 
degrees a few days ago.  Even though all of his kayaks are closed cockpit 
he won't send anyone out with a sprayskirt unless he knows they've done a 
wet exit.  If the lake is real rough he'll strongly encourage beginners to 
stay in the inlet.


>Maybe all we need to do is be better at getting the word out that there 
>are some risks and there are a few simple things you can do to reduce the 
>risks significantly. For example wearing a PFD.

I haven't had a chance to read the report yet but I wondered if helmets 
would become manadatory for whitewater paddling.  I remember when 
California adopted the manadatory helmet law for motorcycles.  There was 
this guy that bought a helmet then glued a long haired wig on it.  He got 
pulled over a bunch of times and then removed the helmet as the patrolman 
was getting out of his car.  Some were not amused.


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