Re: [Paddlewise] A Southern California Tragedy

Steve writes:

>>Len did not have a VHF with him, since his died over a year ago and he
> never got around to replacing it, That one piece of equipment could
> possibly have
> saved his life.


This seems like a pretty fair statement to me. Regardless of the cause of
death, having a VHF might have brought rescue in time.

Kiaker writes:

   I do not believe that "more gadgets" is the solution to safer sea
> kayaking. Being able to accurately evaluate the situation, and the risks,
> and then honestly weigh them against ones skill and equipment is what is
> needed.


This also seems like a pretty fair statement. A novice paddler who sets off
on a DougLloydian exploit is being stupid regardless of gadgetry aboard.

Are these two points of view mutually exclusive? I don't think so and I
don't think that many paddlers would even argue that they are.

These issues have been covered numerous times but it's probably not a bad
idea to get them back out on the table at the beginning of another paddling
season. Whether there are novice paddlers reading this or not, we could all
use a refresher course on common sense.

There are certain circumstances in which it can be obvious to almost anyone
that taking a kayak out will be risking life and limb. But a lot of the time
it's not obvious. If we imagine a balance-scale with one side labeled
"life-saving gadgets" and the other side labeled "obvious or not-so-obvious
dangers" then maybe we can assess our actions a little better.

If one is paddling on a calm lake in July with the water temperature at 85F
and you are 1200 miles from the nearest USCG station then you might consider
leaving your VHF at home. But you might want to take your GPS because it's
totaling up the miles you paddle this season. Should you wear a wetsuit? A
helmet? A spray skirt? In some jurisdictions wearing a PFD is mandatory but
if that's not your jurisdiction should you wear one or just put it behind
the seat? Is a cell phone a piece of safety equipment or a gadget?

There are lots of times when having a gadget aboard will do nothing to
enhance safety; yours or anyone else. But there are also times when it's
obviously useful to have a GPS or a VHF at hand. Is it mandatory? I don't
think so. But it can be ethical. Let me explain.

I've been friends with a retired federal officer for a long time. While this
person was employed he had to carry a handgun at all times. This was both a
matter of public safety but also a matter of common sense; you never know
which person you arrested last year is behind you in the Safeway checkout
line. When he retired he continued carrying a handgun. It wasn't the same
handgun but a smaller version that he would not have been allowed to carry
on duty but that he felt was still an effective deterrent to negative
reactions should that be necessary.

I asked him why he continued to carry and he told me that the public had
paid a lot of money to train him in the use of firearms and when to use them
and when not to. If he were to find himself in an bank or store or elevator
full of innocent people suddenly under attack he'd feel pretty stupid if he
couldn't at least do *something*. Moreover, he felt that the people might
have been entitled to a certain amount of outrage if he didn't.

That's why I carry a VHF when I paddle on Puget Sound or Willapa Bay or on
the Columbia River. I'd feel pretty stupid if someone got into trouble and I
wasn't prepared. They might not know better, but I certainly should.

I do not think that "gadgets" should be mandatory. But I think that there
are conditions under which experienced paddlers should consider having them
around. It's up to us to judge those conditions.

Craig Jungers
Royal City, WA
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