[Paddlewise] A good read suggestion

The discussion of failed flares, float plans, and other critical  
points of 'planning' as they relate to 'failure'
take on a more substantive depth in Laurence Gonzales'  book, Deep  
Survival (in paperback on Norton Press).

More than a collection of post-mortem investigative summaries,  
Gonzales cites numerous neuro-psych-pathology
experts to propose a model of 'who lives, who dies, and why'.

Experts with training are not exempt...and he offers very telling  
reasons beyond 'familiarity breeds contempt'.

A great deal of this discussion has to do with separating 'emotional'  
prompts from 'feelings'.
One of these arguments is that we do not run from grizzly bears  
because we are afraid.
We are afraid of grizzly bears because we run.

This suggests that the emotional memory is hardwired and often  
contradicts even the most ingrained training.
SCUBA divers, in surprising numbers, are found drowned with air in  
their tanks and fully functioning regulators.
In some state of panic, they respond to a primary emotional urge to  
breathe by removing the mask that covers
their mouth and nose...exactly what they don't want to do.

When we talk about packing flares, bail out bags, learning and  
practising all manner of skills (strokes, recoveries, scenario  
training),
we are assembling a 'system' that promises a greater chance of  
survival for those who learn and adopt such practices.
That works, right up until it doesn't.

SAR people familiar with going after lost hikers know that many  
become lost precisely because they are so convinced in the
infallibility of their navigational 'instincts' or even actual map  
reading skills.  Once on a solo hike off trail north of Jasper,
I was convinced I'd found a specific high lake in thick mist and  
fog.  I would have bet the ranch on it.  In the morning, a clear  
morning,
I began the day like I always did....by triangulating my position on  
the topo so that I'd have a 'known' starting point.

Ooops.  I was one drainage over and at a smaller, similarly shaped  
pond of a lake.  Had I not began the day by triangulating,
I would have started my day's travel with an erroneous mental map.  I  
would have likely corrected it and figure it out
before something really dangerous happened. But the truth is, I was  
lucky the weather went well instead of into a June blizzard.

I recommend this book because it will give you a set of fresh eyes on  
planning, training, skills, and 'systems'
geared for those who engage in risk-involved activities.  I can't  
think of a better companion read to 'Deep Trouble'.
Both will combine to pose questions worth serious pondering.

-Will

ps. I have no financial interest in either books, Norton Publishing  
or yada yada yada.
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