Niels Blaauw wrote: > Somebody wrote: > > >>>If it is not possible to teach the casual paddler how to be safe, >> >>maybe >>something should be done to make the boats themselves safer. > It's a well known fact that the safer the equipment, the more risks the > user will take. This is proven with the use of seatbelts, airbags and > ABS in cars. Actually, I think it's that the safer the equipment *feels* to the user, the more risks he will tend to take. Recreational kayaks feel very safe due to the large initial stability, so people will take them out far from shore without seeing the need for any extra safety equipment or training. The danger inherent in having inadequate flotation is only noticed when it's too late. Designs with adequate built-in flotation and less initial stability would simultaneously be safer and encourage the beginner to use them more cautiously. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Apr 18 2003 - 11:46:04 PDT
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