It is always interesting to watch these debates develop. Invariably they boil down to a spitting contest between those who believe it is their duty to protect people from themselves and those who believe they should be free to make their own decisions (and those decisions affecting their children). I agree with Craig about the use of PFD's. I also paddle solo, refuse to use a cell phone on trips, do not own or want a GPS, never carry an EPIRB in the far north, do not wear a wet suit in cold weather, and probably a whole host of other things that some people think are dangerous and would like to protect me from. Horror of horrors I don't even wear a PFD when I go swimming. Strangely enough I have been swimming (sans PFD) beside kayaks where the paddlers wore PFD's because they thought they should always wear PFD's. It raised the point that it was not being in the water that is the problem but being in the kayak. Clearly kayaks are unsafe and no one should be allowed to paddle one. Silly? Of course. The freedom folks are happy to let you paddle without a life jacket and even swim without one. The safety first folks think you should be protected from just about everything they can protect you from and you can bet they have a lot of protecting to do. I am waiting for them to legislate against love because so many people are hurt by it. :-) It boils down to how far our freedom to act in accordance with our own standards can or should be limited by others. There appears to be no solution to the controversy. Government will continue to intrude on our personal lives for better or worse and those of us who resent it will continue to do as we see fit so long as we don't get caught. Cheers John Winters *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Ah John - at least we know you are one of the ones who walk the talk...and swim the swum. :-) Doug L ----- > Tord wrote; > >>On another tack, I loved John's comment >>that he uses no PFD, no cellular, just nothing >>in the way of safety equipment, just being > content in his own ability. Simplicity is beautiful, >>but a inflatable PFD would make it easier >>to retrieve him, would something go amiss, >>just as a dog is easier to get out of the water >>with a PFD on! > > I have an inflatable, just don't wear it. Must have one, it's the law you > know. :-) > > Few of us die and leave anything lasting. At least I may make a good meal > for the lobsters. > > Think about that the next time you have a lobster at your favourite > restaurant. :-) > > Cheers > > John Winters *************************************************************************** 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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