Kayak accident - Seaside

Thanks for getting the word Spot.

That's insane. I can't believe anyone would even think of going out in the ocean in a yak w/o the bare minimum of a wetsuit and PFD. W/ all the people cruising off the coast that day it sounds like this won't be the last sad story. Did those yakkers you saw that day have PFD's?

Please spread the safety word everyone.
Thanks,

Z

'Tis the season for newbs and total disregard for safety.  Eh-hem, dudes in yellow tandem at Hagg too tired - er, drunk - to paddle back after an "EPIC" cross-lake journey. 

Damn it ... I hate shit like this.

-Allen

Yep, Allen, it's mighty unfortunate.  I just hope these cats don't go and ruin it for the rest of us. 

I had this discussion with a guy on the beach when I fished Cape Mears Sunday.  He had seen the OPB short and thought it was a great idea.  Had a SOT, but had never thought to take it to the ocean (he had never been on the ocean period).  His thought was "man I ought to bring it down here and get me some fish" (he was checking out my full stringer )  I told him its not rocket science But being safe should be his first priority, as the fish there are over a mile offshore, not much help out there when your by yourself, and showed him my safety gear .  He was on board for a life jacket but had not thought of immersion protections etc. and honestly didn't think it was totally necessary, after all "all the people on OPB had was a shortie wetsuit, its summer after all, do I "really need a wet suit?", I swim it cold rivers all summer etc. etc."  I told him the fish doesn't taste as good when your dead and left it at that. 

I think folks not familiar with how dangerous the ocean can be often poo poo the risks and take their chances.  More often than not they dodge the potential "disaster" bullet but when things do go wrong their chances for making it are highly compromised. As this form of recreation grows I believe without education to the dangers and positive examples of what to do/wear/etc  (like those provided on this site to newbies) we will unfortunately see more of this

wait, i can still get hypothermia if the sun is out?  what if it's like over 70 degrees?  that's warm for the coast, right?

Well done PP!  I've had that same conversation a number of times with would be fishers/statistics.

I just hope that there aren't lurkers on this site who check out all the "Fish Porn" and rush head long into the Ocean/Columbia etc without first reading up on safety! 

I just hope that there aren't lurkers on this site who check out all the "Fish Porn" and rush head long into the Ocean/Columbia etc without first reading up on safety! 

I'm afraid there are...  I have met them at PC in particular (2 this year with no immersion protection).    I am going to think twice about some of my "fish porn" posts.  It is easy for a newbie to get excited ( I mean who doesn't want  15lbs of fillets for table, seeing whales, porpoises etc etc) and put the cart before the horse and compromise their safety.  I saw this a ton in the "Ocean PB world", particularly for those who follow a popular local fishing site and drool over the fish porn, then want some for themselves, often making some poor choices in their hurry to get in on the action

Yup, I've been going back and forth on whether to post a full write-up of the Crash Test Dummy stunt that got me my latest points.  Even with a ton of warnings, it's possible for someone to only see the info. that they want to see.

Yup, I've been going back and forth on whether to post a full write-up of the Crash Test Dummy stunt that got me my latest points.  Even with a ton of warnings, it's possible for someone to only see the info. that they want to see.

I believe that more information (and I'm not talking fishing specifics) is better than less information.  I'd really hate to see the information flow on this site be reduced due to some unfortunate incidents.

Lot's of us have learned the lessons the hard way and I'd sure like it if other have the chance to learn from us instead of the school of hard knocks.

-Allen

Seeing what goes wrong and what it takes is much better IMO. Hiding won't keep people from getting out there and trying their best no matter their gear. It's great that you guys' are thinking about their well being but when it comes down to it it's their responsibility.

I doubt anything we'd have to say would slow 'em down anyway.

Z

not taking away from the thread and the dangers of the Ocean but WR and I had this kind of happen at Shoecraft Lake. one of the PBers was just leaving was interested in what we were getting ready to do with our Yaks and started talking to us. as we were getting our PFD's and Paddle Leashes and Radios together and i was sliding into my dry pants. the guy made the comment you guys carry alot of stuff.. .. DUH!! its called Safety. there are so many people think you just grab the Yak and the paddle and go.. how hard is it..

We need to get the word out.. no matter how or when.. yes its there responsibility to do it and listen to us. but at least we all gave it a shot to show how to do it the right way.

SG

Even in the PB world I don't understand why a guy thinks he is safe standing on deck without a PFD on while out in the salt.  It only takes one whale to knock your butt over board.  It reminds me of all the kids I see riding their skateboards and bikes insanely at the local skate park with their helmet unbuckled, or looped over their handlebars.  What good is the safety gear if you don't have it on, or secured properly?

Even in the PB world I don't understand why a guy thinks he is safe standing on deck without a PFD on while out in the salt.  It only takes one whale to knock your butt over board.

I totally agree. Very "Deadliest Catch" dangerous.

It reminds me of all the kids I see riding their skateboards and bikes insanely at the local skate park with their helmet unbuckled, or looped over their handlebars.  What good is the safety gear if you don't have it on, or secured properly?

Being that I skate when my old bones let me I can attest they're only wearing them so they can skate there. Park rules.

FYI There's an outerwear sticky under For Safety's Sake. Feel free to add you POV.
http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,3276.0.html

Z

Seeing what goes wrong and what it takes is much better IMO. Hiding won't keep people from getting out there and trying their best no matter their gear. It's great that you guys' are thinking about their well being but when it comes down to it it's their responsibility.

I doubt anything we'd have to say would slow 'em down anyway.

I have to agree on all points.  Self censoring is NOT the answer.  More information is the answer.  Aviation (NTSB) dissects every accident and publishes the initial, preliminary, and final reports.  These reports are very informative and new and aspiring pilots get a goodly dose of reality and appreciation for safety from reading the reports.  http://www.ntsb.gov/ntsb/month.asp

We, this forum, provide a similar service to the NTSB with discussing accidents and with the explicit "For Safety's Sake" and the "Don't Ask Me How I Know" sub-forums.  We might want to rename the DNMHUK sub-forum something more explicit like "Never Again".