[Paddlewise] Rhetorical Question: What level of safe is safe enough?

My professional life is spent working to keep people safe at work.
That, depending on one's perspective could make me jaded and cynical, or
a wise and experienced expert or perhaps something else entirely.

>From my perspective safe is not, despite the dictionary definition,
absence of harm. Rather safe is an acceptable level of risk.  Safety
equipment, in the hands of someone that knows how to use it can reduce
the level of risk.  Good judgment in the person of someone who has
experience, experience usually gained through someone's bad judgment,
can also reduce the risk. Learning and practicing paddling skills
reduces risk. Redundancy like safety equipment, good judgment and good
skills can also reduce the risk. All of these together do not add up to
no risk, nor can the risk be completely eliminated unless one gives up
paddling.  However, whatever else one chooses to do will still have
risk.

I'm with those who what safety equipment, good judgment and good skills.
Not only so I am more likely to go on trips with people who come back
alive, but also so that someone might be prepared to save me.


Regards, 
 
Dana Dickson 
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