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From: Dickson, Dana A. <dana.dickson_at_unisys.com>
subject: [Paddlewise] Rhetorical Question: What level of safe is safe enough?
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:04:44 -0500
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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From: James Farrelly <JFarrelly5_at_comcast.net>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Rhetorical Question: What level of safe is safe enough?
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 12:18:45 -0400
> 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

I like. Especially the last bit.

Next time I go paddling I am going to wrap myself in bubble wrap. It  
should maximize my safety and help with my nonexistent balance brace.

Jim et al
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From: Paul Montgomery <paul_at_paddleandoar.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Rhetorical Question: What level of safe is safe enough?
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 16:48:56 -0700
On Mar 21, 2007, at 9:18 AM, James Farrelly wrote:

> Next time I go paddling I am going to wrap myself in bubble wrap.  
> It should maximize my safety and help with my nonexistent balance  
> brace.
>
> Jim et al

And just think of the cool suntan you'll get!


Paul Montgomery
paul_at_paddleandoar.com
http://paddleandoar.com
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From: Derek <glamourpets_at_yahoo.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Rhetorical Question: What level of safe is safe enough? - Factory vs Kayak
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:21:24 -0700 (PDT)
--- "Dickson, Dana A." <dana.dickson_at_unisys.com>
wrote:

> 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

In practical terms, What would kayaking look like if
it were governed by rules similar to a North American
Unionized factory style workplace?  

> 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.

It is interesting to note that many of the "mistakes"
reported in the book "Deep Trouble" were people who
had  inadequate equipment or didn't know how to use
the equipment they had on hand.

Derek


 
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