It seems that all you hear and read about lately are the silly laws that our so called law makers keep cumming up with. I just came across an article in the latest Canoe and Kayak magazine referring to a potential law in Massachusetts that would require kayakers to wear PFD's, carry a compass, and carry a whistle. You can not legislate intelligence. If people choose not to wear a PFD, wear inappropriate clothing for the conditions, paddle kayaks that are not suited to the conditions, and or make other poor decisions based on ignorance a law will not help. Education is the first step. People should be required to take a basic kayaking safety class, if they are new to the sport. Companies that rent kayaks should make sure that the kayaks are rescueable, for example: I see alot of rec. kayaks that are being rented because they are stable and easy for beginners to use, but there is usually no floatation in the bow or stern, so if the kayak is swamped for some reason, it will most likely sink either on its own or when the renters try to climb back in. I am a firm believer in wearing my PFD in all condition. I have a compass mounted to the deck of my kayak, a safety whistle on my pfd, paddle float bag safely stowed in my deck rigging along side a bilge pump. I also dress for the water temp. not the air temp. These are things I learned and or common sense dictated them. I know that one man's thoughts and opinions do not contain all the anwers, but legislating to protect agains ignorance is not the answer either. Larry L. Storer larry_at_onewithgaia.com www.OneWithGaia.com Products to celebrate our relationship with the Earth. *************************************************************************** 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 Mar 30 2004 - 20:05:23 PST
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