Re: [Paddlewise] Surf Drogue

From: <rebyl_kayak_at_iprimus.com.au>
Date: Wed, 5 Jan 2005 22:33:21 +1100
Richard wrote
>Even if they have been severely injured (eg. shark attack or advanced
>hypothermia) I would be very reluctant to take them into the surf zone.

G'day Richard,

Do you think its sea kayaks that are intrinsically unsafe in taking injured
parties through the surf? I'm trying to relate to the fact that surf life
saving clubs in Australia rescue people using surf boards or surf boats.
Do they also use surf skis? I'm pretty sure such rescues have included swimmers
atacked by sharks. 

In the event of a shark attack surely doing whatever can be done to prevent
blood loss and getting the traumatised person to shore as fast as possible
would be the only chance they had. I don't know what the survival rate is
but of the one or two attacks we have in Australia each year I would guess
about half survive.

Worth saying that he family of the most recent victim made a point of stating
that the shark should not be hunted and killed - it was in its natural environment.

All the best, PeterO
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Received on Wed Jan 05 2005 - 04:04:27 PST

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