Re: [Paddlewise] PFDs

On 04/01/2010 7:03 PM, Scott Hilliard wrote:
> Dave Kruger wrote;
>

<snip>

> Jim continues:
>
>> And wear your lifejacket when
>> your skills might not be up to the task.
> And therein lies the rub. Tell it like it is - mindlessly chanting the
> popular dogma seems to be easier then admitting that one simply does not
> posses the skills.
>
>
> Scott
> So. Cal.

I always wear my PFD when I'm out in my kayak because I can't swim 
worth a damn -- not more than 20' in any direction (except down <grin>)

I once tried putting it on in the water on a nice warm day in shallow 
water -- because I'd read that it was hard to do and wanted to find 
out for myself.

It *is* hard to do. For me.

But I really don't care too much, one way or the other, what anyone 
else does with regard to their PFD or any other safety equipment.

But I will say this: if I *know* that you didn't put your PFD on as 
part of an informed decision, don't count on me to do more than the 
bare minimum to help you out. Not only am I not going to risk my life, 
I'm not even going to going to chase after your loose equipment for you.

It's sometimes a hard resolution to live up to. But I have waved at 
some complete idiot who was in the ditch after speeding on icy roads 
and not even looked at my cell phone to call for help for him. Be an 
idiot; live with the consequences. Or die from them.

I try not to be an idiot. I don't think it's too much to ask that 
others do the same.

I am definitely NOT saying that you're an idiot if you decide not to 
wear a PFD at all times. That's a long ways from being an idiot. But I 
still expect you to live by the consequences; don't involve me.

We all make mistakes, errors in judgment, etc. I'll do my best for 
anyone, any time if I think it's the result of an honest mistake. 
That's a long way from being an idiot -- either that or we're all idiots.

And that's my rant for the day.

-- 
   Darryl
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