Re: [Paddlewise] PFDs

In a message dated 4/22/2003 4:06:53 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
Blankibr_at_aol.com writes:

> Just to be clear, those were percentages of deaths reported by the ACA from 
> the USCG data they examined.  To repeat what I originally said:  "50% of 
> fatal kayak accidents occurred while wearing a PFD, 44% while not wearing a 
> 
> PFD (no explanation for the other 6%)."   
> 
> My problem with this statistic is it doesn't separate WW from sea kayaking, 
> never mind rec boat users who don't consider themselves boaters (like we 
> have
> been discussing in another thread), from "serious" kayakers.


A factor that I haven't seen mentioned in this thread is the actual cause of 
death. 

I've seen statistics in other places (sorry I can't recall where) that 
something like 90% of _drownings_ involve no PFD.  

And I'd suspect that a high percentage of deaths due to hypothermia are also 
among those without PFDs.

Many causes of death, like impact, keeper- and strainer-related drownings, 
and sudden drowning, may be uninfluenced by the presence of a PFD on your 
body.  But the most likely causes of death for most sea kayakers are 
drowning, hypothermia and hypothermia-related drowning.  In these instances, 
wouldn't you think the regular use of a PFD would increase your chances of 
survival?

Discussions of the aggregate percentages of death with and without PFDs seems 
about as relevant as discussing the hair color of the unlucky ones to die.  
What is really important is the question of what killed them and whether a 
PFD (or better instruction, a different boat, a bombproof roll, or whatever) 
might have helped prevent the death.

There are no easy answers to preventing deaths in kayaking, any more than 
there are in general boating.  It seems prudent to pass laws regarding 
operation of boats, cars and planes with regard to operating under the 
influence, under age, in reckless and indifferent manners, and perhaps in 
some other respects.  Thank God we require licenses for drivers and pilots.  
On the other hand, I also am happy we don't require them of kayakers.  

I just don't know.

Harold

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