Kayak accident - Seaside

We might want to rename the DNMHUK sub-forum something more explicit like "Never Again". 

Not a bad idea...but wait, I think I've seen people make the same mistake more than once!!!   

I feel for the family of the guy who was so careless with his safety and his life last month near Seaside. Being a motorcyclist I always wear a full face helmet and head to toe leather or ballistic nylon protection. This is my "plan for immersion" provision while road touring. I'm protected from road rash and hypothermia, in the event it actually starts raining here in the Northwest. I'm flabbergasted when I see people riding in shorts, t-shirts, and teva sandals. What the hell are they thinking?  We have so many sources of information available to us about how to properly dress for Pacific Northwest ocean kayaking. Every shop I went to before purchasing my yak earlier this year recommended some type of dry suit setup for ocean fishing. Every web based kayak fishing forum, including this one had information and discussions on the subject, and recommended a dry setup. I even purchased, and READ, a book on kayak fishing before purchasing a yak. The book had a special section on proper dress for your weather and water temperature. In the midst of my research I actually had a friend recommended jest getting a shorty wetsuit for the ocean. Thanks for the recommendation buddy, but I don't want to die of hypothermia. He was not researching ocean kayaking at the time, and making assumptions on our time together windsurfing in Lake Michigan's 70F degree water and 80F degree air temperature. I have since directed my friend to the current, and local sources of Northwest kayak information. Assumptions, carelessness, and lack of willingness to research how to protect yourself will kill you dead. I'll get off my soapbox now.

Speaking of safety, A co worker of mine was surfing at Otter Rock last Saturday. He saw four guys come in from ocean fishing in two old beat up canoes. All four were wearing PFD's, but not one was wearing a wetsuit, or dry suit. They had a big cooler of fish in each canoe. I guess before leaving they wrapped a few pieces of rope all the way around the car to secure the canoes to the roof.

I think it's safe to say that aviation is a very obvious danger, where kayaking might not be to some people.

Kayaking danger seemed obvious to me.  However I am cold-adverse and I see danger lurking around every corner.  If I didn't know better I'd even be afraid of the government  :-)

In just about all outdoor sports that have any level of danger involved, pride takes priority over common sense and personal safety.  We see this ALLLLLL the time.  People want to be perceived as cool, or tough in what they are about to do and set themselves up for failure.  Now, obviously not all accidents, injuries, or deaths are because of the above scenario alone, as misinformation, missed training, lack of common sense, and pure excitement can get a newbie into trouble just as quick.

Then there is the famous one liner from Ron White......"You can't fix stupid".   

I'm willing to bet that economics may have a bit to do with it, too.  Them rubber suits ain't cheap.  Or maybe it's just ignorance.  Dunno, but it's scary.  But I can't ponder the issue right now, for I must go take a work-dook.

In just about all outdoor sports that have any level of danger involved, pride takes priority over common sense and personal safety.  We see this ALLLLLL the time.  People want to be perceived as cool, or tough in what they are about to do and set themselves up for failure.  Now, obviously not all accidents, injuries, or deaths are because of the above scenario alone, as misinformation, missed training, lack of common sense, and pure excitement can get a newbie into trouble just as quick.

Then there is the famous one liner from Ron White......"You can't fix stupid".   

Hey, if I didn't know me better, I'd say I resemble this person! 

Oh, you CAN fix stupid. Unfortunately, in some cases, it's a permanent fix.   

True

In just about all outdoor sports that have any level of danger involved, pride takes priority over common sense and personal safety.  We see this ALLLLLL the time.  People want to be perceived as cool, or tough in what they are about to do and set themselves up for failure.  Now, obviously not all accidents, injuries, or deaths are because of the above scenario alone, as misinformation, missed training, lack of common sense, and pure excitement can get a newbie into trouble just as quick.

Then there is the famous one liner from Ron White......"You can't fix stupid".   

Hey, if I didn't know me better, I'd say I resemble this person! 

Naw, I've seen your pictures and read your stories.  The mere fact that you have a PDF, waders, a VHF, a float plan, etc..  and respect Mother nature while she's doing the dishes, then that tells me you leave your pride in the car and use your skills to push your comfort zone further than most folks.  And all of this is because you have good amount of salt experience, and practice common sense.   If you were attempting your recent offshore adventure after only 10 days of ever being in kayak or in the salt, I'd happily say you're stupid. 

I can completely respect your comfort level out there, and humbly say I have ALOT of learning to do before I try anything like that.