Shawn Baker wrote: > > Non-use of PFD's factor in...boating deaths --- KiAyker_at_aol.com wrote: > I'm afraid I haven't seen this at all. Perhaps you could tell me > just what your sources are for this statistic "Each year around 700 people die in boating-related accidents, and nine of every 10 victims were NOT wearing a life jacket." http://www.nasbla.org/pdf/March_Apri%202002.pdf http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm "Four hundred and ninety-eight (498) boaters drowned in 2001. Life jackets could have saved the lives of approximately 420 boaters who drowned. In 2001, approximately eight out of every 10 victims in fatal boating accidents were not wearing life jackets." http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/Boating_Statistics_2001.pdf There are citable sources all over the web. 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. But, the gommint clearly believes PFD usage saves lives. We can take some steps to regulate ourselves...or the gommint will gladly do it for us. > Once again I do not see this ever happening unless it can be shown > that the mandatory use of PFD's would significantly increase a paddlers safety. Given the sources I've quoted, there isn't a well-meaning legislator who would vote otherwise. My point is that I'd rather face the "ridicule" of my fellow paddler, than get a ticket. > if you could actually show me that wearing a PFD does in fact > significantly increase a sea kayakers level of safety then I would not have any problem with the mandatory wearing of PFD's being made into a law! I'd just as soon have fewer laws, thank you! > supposed to learn to "make their own informed decision" when all the > decisions are being made for them? Decision making, just like every > other kayaking skill, requires practice. Should they make all those decisions the very first time out? Give them a set of standards to follow, then let them evaluate them one-by-one as they learn. >But I feel you cross the line when you make it a requirement to participate. You claim to be anti regulation? What's the difference between you telling me I can't paddle with you unless I wear > my PFD, and the Government telling me I can't legally paddle without > one? Liability. Standard of care. I should know better.... Frankly, speaking as paddlers on a relatively equal skill base, if someone wants to demonstrate to me that some commonly accepted safety equipment is superfluous to them, fine. If I wanted to skip a piece of safety equipment, I could expect that my paddling partners might want me to demonstrate that I wouldn't be adding another element of risk to their paddling day. To be honest, I've paddled with other folks who haven't worn PFD's. I haven't worn a PFD sometimes, particularly when working on some tricky Greenland rolls, where a PFD causes you to "hang up" on the surface. I also realize there's a good argument for not wearing a PFD in the surf--particularly for an individual skilled at surf swimming. If I'm working with a student, or training a less-skilled paddling partner, it's not a question. I'm already picking up a little more risk watching out for them. I'm not going to let them add to the difference. It's a free country, they can paddle without a PFD. Just not with me. I'll also be wearing a PFD as a role model. Shawn __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo http://search.yahoo.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/ ***************************************************************************
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/ ***************************************************************************
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