Tord wrote: > Hi, > > Nice follow-up article about the tragic death of the two youngsters: > > http://www.pressherald.com/news/experts-see-kayak-trips-tragic-end-as-reminder_2010-05-19.html That is a well-done article. The folks quoted in the article are saying all the right things, to wit: > "Assess risks before going out and be prepared for what can and does go > wrong on the water," said Al Johnson, regional safety specialist for the > U.S. Coast Guard. "In the world of paddle sports, one should dress for > immersion." The disconnect occurs at decision time to launch, when someone elects to get on the water unprepared for the conditions. There is no magic bullet which will eliminate these deaths; the best that can be done is to reduce the number. I suspect prominent, clear signage at popular launch spots might be one effective way to capture the attention of folks new to the sport, or ones unaware of the hidden hazards. Locally, the US Power Squadron folks, in conjunction with marine safety officials (OR State Marine Board; Clatsop County Marine Patrol; Stearns and other PFD manufacturers) have set up signs and free life jackets in a box labeled "Protect Your Kid" (or, similar), to reduce the fatality rate due to drowning on the Columbia River, and on local lakes. This is a statewide program, and I suspect in other states as well. Having the specific safety item at the launch site present in vivid form is about as good as you can get, I think. Of course, the two young women who died needed more than just a couple of PFD's; they needed some horse sense and better judgment -- those are more ephemeral and harder to induce through the hard skulls of folks new to serious marine conditions. We won't get them all, but we can get some of them. In the case of the free PFD's for kids, the life jacket manufacturers are major players. I imagine they can be tapped to help with funding for added signage. Paddling clubs could take a proactive stance on this by contacting the local marine safety officials (typically, through the county sheriff) and pushing for signage. If nothing else, we would buy credibility when (not if) restrictions on paddling on hazardous waters are proposed in the state legislature. I hope that last part motivates. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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 Wed May 19 2010 - 01:23:04 PDT
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