In a message dated 4/24/2003 5:47:03 PM Pacific Daylight Time, garyj_at_rogers.com writes: > In analyses of large numbers of accidents, and injuries, seat belts are > a net helper. For the record I wear seatbelts and PFD's, almost without exception. I would however, like to suggest that seatbelts have little in common, conceptually or mechanically, with PFD's. Yes they are both *safety devices*, but so are first aid kits and fire extinguishers. A seatbelt is a restraining device. A PFD is a flotation device, with rare duty as body armor. I find no linkage from one to the other mechanically. That is an important point when attempting to equate the two. I am suggesting this as equating them is not particularly healthy for the debate, as it tends to create an emotional equivalence where there should not be one. Seat belts *appear* to save far more lives than PFD's, yet they have been cited in unison, seemingly with a moral, or at least emotional equivalence. I personally prefer no action to be taken on any issue as long as emotions are wedded to a process. It might make less impact for the pol's and papers, but that would be a good thing. Because an absence of emotion might mean they'd just leave us alone. Rob G *************************************************************************** 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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