Re: [Paddlewise] Nick's Question (add Dying at Sea)

Gordon had posted:
> I've thought about this a lot.  I participate in recreational pursuits 
> that
> have risks involved - kayaking, bicycling, and motorcycling.  My personal
> belief  is that, should I die in those pursuits, I will die happier than 
> if
> I chose not to do them and died later.  They add enough joy to my life to
> make the risks worthwhile.  If I gamble and lose, so be it.
>
> Of course, at the moment I was meeting my end, I'm sure my thoughts and
> words would be, "NO-O-O-O-O!!!  I don't want to die!!!!!"  For that reason 
> I
> take all the safety precautions I can - helmets, driving defensively, 
> extra
> paddle, extra flotation, VHF radio, flares, horn, strobe, etc

There are acceptable, ameliorative ways to improve negative risk outcomes 
for those who like to paddle less benign waters. Death isn't a necessary 
inevitable while undertaking such activates, not even close. Our tendency to 
avoid death and still been drawn to perceived risk experiences combined with 
an attitude of desired fun in jobbly waters has made for a sub-industry of 
late in the sea paddling community. However, surf paddlers still generally 
use a buddy system or at least have someone eying their to and from 
progress. Helmets are generally worn. A new bread of rock garden/cave 
paddlers prefer to work in small groups, where assistance can be rendered 
for tow-outs, injury response, and group risk assessment/planning before 
entering a danger zone. Those who like to play in fast moving currents/tidal 
water/hydraulic features upon large bodies of water usually don't paddle 
with less than three, where out-of-boat/away from paddle separations are 
usually dealt with expeditiously and with little fan fare if all or most are 
experienced. Increasingly, dedicated storm paddles (offshore wind and wave 
or downwind river-basin dudes/dudets) are usually, well, we'll call them a 
dedicated bunch who have the personal durability and experience to endure 
and enjoy; most often they paddle with a partner or in a small, select teams 
of individuals who have progressed within their ranks.

I consider these all relatively safe activities in the context of how these 
paddlers work together. The risk factor draws them as said, but the strength 
in numbers and generally high skill levels allow for good margins off error 
against under-calculations of conditions, as long as group mentality 
mechanics are kept at mature levels. Witness the Tsunami Rangers, Columbia 
River Shellbacks, and  various groups/clubs portrayed on DVD's like 'This is 
the Sea III', and even well organized adventure racers and surf ski racers.

Paddling the open coast or large-lake shoreline may expose you to a variety 
of conditions and situations sought by the above, though expedition 
paddlers, weekend and day trippers typically use their soft skills to avoid 
any extremes. Nature doesn't always cooperate, leaving conservative solo 
paddlers at a higher risk of incident; adventurous souls with a poorer 
outcome probability relative to the patience/common sense levels exhibited 
by the general kayaking population; and those with deficiencies in 
equipment, immersion apparel and hard skills more at the mercy of Murphy's 
Law. A review of all known deaths while kayaking around the shores of 
Vancouver Island over the last two decades certainly suggests the above to 
be true, with outcomes that were fatal even for paddlers not traveling solo 
and those well-equipped.

Overall, the individuals described in the first paragraph who seek out less 
benign waters within the context of dedicated play-boating typically exhibit 
few fatalities or require third-party rescue or assistance. Rough water play 
and negative outcomes are typically mutually exclusive in this category of 
activity. Those who exhibit a tendency toward rough water play and parlay 
their training and group experience to more solo, rough water action usually 
invite a higher incident rate, though often negate poor outcomes through 
sheer effort, a multiplicity of back-up skills, well-thought out equipment 
additions like electric bilge pumps, and often sheer luck. Fortunately, 
these individuals don't represent a large percentage of the paddling 
population thereby keeping the actuarial number of incidents much lower, 
which is a good thing in the eyes of the public and rescue authorities. 
Whether these paddlers push their limits because of the extra gear or the 
gear is incidental, has been the cause of much speculation. Given the low 
percentage of gonzo sea kayakers out there, their share of incidents are 
probably higher though, all things being equal.

More problematic are entry-level paddlers lacking basic seamanship, 
rudimentary skill development, and smart gear/clothing choices during the 
initial period of acquaintance to their new sport and as they progress 
through the learning curve to intermediate paddler. Also, as the paddling 
fraternity sees more individual and group expedition "firsts" occurring with 
greater frequency, it remains yet to be seen what kind of incident and 
fatality rates will accrue. Fishing by kayaking is also undergoing 
exponential growth both in numbers and specialized equipment. Targeting 
kayak fisher's safety in an effective manner seems to be challenge the 
kayaking industry is so far addressing, though it also remains to be seen if 
there is a general uptake. Regardless, the "right" to choose your manner of 
death or higher exposure to the potential for death, remains an individual 
choice -- a romanticized notion or not. More regulations might be a 
preventative in reality but, especially in the eyes of those who assume we 
want saving (or in the eyes of who have to come out and save us from time to 
time). Most of us are happy with current regulation levels, preferring 
personal responsibility.

I don't believe anyone arbitrarily described above whishes to meet their end 
from a kayaking incident. All should understand the relative risk for the 
activity level sought and the realities of the often harsh environment where 
they may be challenging themselves -- or even trying to avoid undue 
challenge. Although the sea, lakes and rivers remain potentially dangerous, 
often harsh domains upon which kayakers and canoeists find recreation and 
solace, the sometimes spiritual, soulful, social, aesthetic, restorative and 
even athletic benefits will always outweigh the risks at most activity 
levels knowingly pursued by the individual paddler.

With respect to the recent death of Len Goodman, I do understand that one 
can be caught between replacing a dead radio and the need to purchase a new 
one. I can also understand that it is often difficult to dress for immersion 
appropriately in warmer, ambient air temperatures. Given Len's experience 
and comfort in home waters, his death was a true tragedy, as Steve and Duane 
called it. I certainly would not dispute that; and thank Steve for sharing 
the information with us and gracefully letting us open a discussion.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria, BC

.
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