PeterO wrote: > Too many years writing reports I guess but I'd like a combination > in say, four sections: > - Short summary of the facts > - Descriptive interpretation > - Concise conclusions > - References > Another format that worked well for me was "Deep Trouble". > When I read accident reports I often learn something new but most > importantly I gain a reminder, an ambience, of the need for care > and the danger of complacency. Amen to all that! After we had our roll in wintercold waters, that could so eaily had been our final, and ultimate, in our Klepper Aerius II, I got a copy of "Deep Trouble", which I read from cover to cover and I learned so much, and I liked the style of the writing as well! We never have had anything like it afterwards, but we sure upgraded our safety equipment, as much as we could afford at the time! Since then I've reread it, seen reenactments on TV of some incidents described, and exchanged some letters with a few of the involved. Riveting! A few principles we've learned from our own accident, and from 'Deep Trouble', is to secure all equipment, so that it doesn't float away, pack your essentials (like VHF, cellular phones, emergency equipment, et cetera) in a bag that you easily can detach from the boat, even when the boat is inversed. Travel planning, being dressed correctly (in cold water wear some sort of head attire, as shock-cooling your head is a sure way of gasping, and that in turn can kill you in no time (if your head still is submerged)! Even before the accident we had learned from Diaz's 'The Complete Folding Kayaker' the importance of packing everything in dry bags, and to dress after the water temperature (Chillcheater's stuff saved our lives, no doubt), but we didn't understand the importance of securing the bags, so the drybag with the warm clothes floated away, and minor items sank! In FLYING, the US magazine, they've had a series of articles called 'I learned about flying from that' where the ones involved in mishaps have written themselves about them, but also another series 'Aftermath' where official, dry, accident reports are analysed and commented on. The latter covers fatal accidents, which can't be commented on by those involved, but mainly covers when the communication and infrastructure breaks down, either between those in the cockpit, or between air and ground. I'm not a pilot (well, 'pilot' of boats and model aircraft I am!), but I have always found both types riverting stuff. Both types can be found in 'Deep Trouble': sometimes it is the communication between the people involved that breaks down, between the paddlers themselves, or between paddlers and pick-up boat, or between the paddler(s) and rescue team(s), sometimes it is the infrastructure that fails: mechanical problems, like leaking hatches, lost equipment, leaking kayaks, et cetera, or planning errors (like deciding to go when the weather is turning nasty). The paddlers's abilities is also an important factor in the equation! The weather is at it is, so we, paddlers or pilots, must plan for the worst, and abort before it is too late - too many of fail to do that, and have to face the consequencies! Tord -- See Exclusive Video: 10th Annual Young Hollywood Awards http://www.hollywoodlife.net/younghollywoodawards2008/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Thu May 08 2008 - 02:56:46 PDT
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