One thing that will not be found in any statistics are the hundreds, maybe even thousands (???) of times a year that PFDs render an incident that could have been catastrophic (or at least hysterical) into a total non-event. These just don't get reported. I look at wearing a PFD like wearing a seatbelt in a car. Like a seat belt, it's going to be a very unlikely situation when I am actually worse off for wearing the PFD. Wearing a PFD also reduces the strain (therefore risk) on my paddling companions in the event I need help. I think it is also important for proficient paddlers to set an example for those who are more likely to swim and less likely to deal with it effectively. Wearing a PFD may be a personal choice, but it is a choice that has the possibility of profoundly affecting the welfare of others. Steve Brown Shawn Baker wrote: ....The ACA brochure Brian B. quoted said 50 deaths while wearing a PFD, 44 without the PFD. This particular citation is inconclusive...you could argue these statistics either way, so I won't...... *************************************************************************** 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 Tue Apr 22 2003 - 07:46:10 PDT
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