Peter, Funny what people consider important reminders as far as itemizing a list. I assumed most of the items on the lists thus submitted were a given for a competent paddler to have already. In terms of being in a shadow for calling the CG, if paddlers rely on the CG for their backup plan, that's poor planning. If there's a question about being separated or someone getting out of range and capsizing and going missing within the context of the conditions you mention, why are they out there in the first place and why on a moonless night? I only gave the question a passing glance at first, but re-reading your scenario, I don't get it. If Australian paddlers are a gung ho bunch and do this kind of stuff all the time, then they just have to suffer the consequences if someone does go missing. What unfolds at that point is limited in what can be done. Leash yourselves together like climbers before trouble starts? Probably not. There was a team that did the Zuytdorp cliffs at night a few years ago written up in Sea Kayaker magazine. I forget what their contingency planning involved. I find open water paddling at night in moonless conditions hard enough to keep track of myself, let alone other paddlers. As for how long you would wait to call the CG (if you could), that would depend on if conditions were worsening and if there were current. I'm sure there are units within the military that do much more dangerous maneuvers on the water on moonless nights. They succeed with really good planning and each member of the team being equal in capacity - a high one at that. Doug Lloyd > Peter >>In response to your 'a scenario and a question' - great exercise. >>May I try it on our club leaders sometime ? > > > G'Day Paul, Craig, Doug and Paddlewise. > > > > Paul please do and I'd love to hear what they come up with. Impressed with > the > quick response. > > > Just returned from work and put together my version. Quickly scanned the > three > plans so far submitted but haven't read in detail and haven't incorporated > ideas from them yet. I'm sure I will later though. I just wanted to see > how my > own knowledge would hold up in this situation. > > > > Also to make it clear that I'm not competent to lead or advise on such a > trip. > I only trust about three kayakers that I have paddled with who could lead > it. > > > > > > BASIC EQUIPMENT......snip *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
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