Re: [Paddlewise] on PFDs and fatalities (pee bottle thread)

Quoting Matt Broze <mkayaks_at_oz.net>:

> Brad wrote:
>    >>>>This is a terrific endorsement of a piece of kayaking gear called
> a pee bottle. At least it works reliably for males.<<<<<<
>
> I think a pee bottle could be a real hazard in a kayak. Spray deck open,
> hands off the paddle, and your attention off the paddling while trying to be
> careful not to spill. Maybe you should take the advice Tsunami Ranger Eric
> Soures gave at a long ago West Coast Sea Kayaking Symposium talk. He said:
> "I'm Portuguese, I just go in my wetsuit." It definitely looks to me like
> the safer alternative, and both sexes could do it equally well too. I'm not
> sure what being Portuguese had to do with it though. For decades I  
> skied without a helmet even though I took a few blows to the
> head and arms wrapped up around my head from skis spinning like helicopter
> blades (held to my foot by so called "safety straps"). After Sonny  
> Bono and the Kennedy clan member died of head injuries skiing in one  
> year I went to school on them and started wearing a helmet.

      I don't know if I'm Portuguese or not. There was one memorable six
mile crossing we did where I had an overwhelming urge to pee at about the
three mile mark. Didn't have an empty bottle, but a plastic produce bag
sure worked nicely. The fact that women might find this methodology
awkward did not deter me from doing it. I agree with Matt that you always
want to stay alert when your spray skirt is open. You generally do the
bag/bottle thing in calm conditions.
      As for skiing, after having a kid ski at high speed just past my ear,
I would agree with Matt again that helmets and padding are advisable on
snow. Several skiers have been killed or injured on Mt. Hood recently by
being run down from behind by others. None of the victims wore a helmet.
Would it be outrageous to suggest that motorists wear a helmet?

Brad
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