PFD'S VS. LIFE

I know how sometimes you just don't want to wear the dang thing, but....Yakker still missing since Saturday in Lake Washington. Please, do yourself, your family and friends a favor and take ALL the precautions and wear the proper gear for the occasion.
 Wasn't it Ed Viesturs who said" Getting in your yak is optional. Getting back to shore is mandatory".

He said something like that.  Had nothing to do with yaks though.

  ;)Ed said that regarding high altitude mountain climbing. Just thought it sounded good

http://www.king5.com/news/local/Kayaker-reported-missing-in-Lake-Washington-116098409.html

Awful again, but no bulkheads, no pfd, no emergency signals, no skills, again. Another "recreational" boater who wanted to save money on the gear, wasn't "going to do that crazy WW I'm just paddling on lakes" so didn't need to learn any safety skills. When you don't know stuff you think you're prepared. The more you learn the more you realize how unprepared you are. So many people are like 17 y.o. boys when they get a kayak- they think they know everything but really know very little.

It's frustrating when people resist learning safety skills from a trained professional because they think they know everything already, or think someone telling them the best way to do something is elitist. A 2 hour safety/rescue class would most likely kept this person out of the situation in the first place, and might have saved that persons life.

This is why I walk a hard line with training and stick by what I've said. I know that most of the time what I recommend is overkill, but it's always the best, safest option that I present. You can't assume that people are competent in kayaking safety/rescue or know what they're doing unless you know exactly what they've been taught/learned.

Can you get away with less than what I recommend for safety training? probably 98% of the time yes, but it's that 2% of the time that's going to kill you.

I will never say anything less than what I've said before is adequate for safety/rescue training, because if I did and someone dies, that's on my conscience.

I agree with that, except this:

It's frustrating when people resist learning safety skills

The guy in question didn't even have his/her lifejacket on.  We're not talking about someone that felt they didn't need to learn safety skills.  We're talking about someone that was too stupid to even put on a lifejacket in February.  I feel for the person's family, but honestly, this guy got what was coming.  I'm gonna bet the person was wearing sweats and all cotton with no form of immersion gear either.

I agree with that, except this:

It's frustrating when people resist learning safety skills

The guy in question didn't even have his/her lifejacket on.  We're not talking about someone that felt they didn't need to learn safety skills.  We're talking about someone that was too stupid to even put on a lifejacket in February.  I feel for the person's family, but honestly, this guy got what was coming.  I'm gonna bet the person was wearing sweats and all cotton with no form of immersion gear either.

Another downside to buying a kayak from costco. There's no one there to tell you to wear your PFD, get a safety whistle, put float bags in your boat, what a bilge pump and paddle float are and how to use them, that you need a light, etc. when you get your boat.

I feel bad for the family as well but think there were a lot of stupid decisions made by the person in the yak. The point is regardless of the persons level of intelligence, obviously they felt confident in their decisions based on zero knowledge. Regardless of how confident we are in our decision making, safety/rescue skills, it is always beneficial to learn/brush up/practice from someone who knows this stuff. That's what coaches do on a regular basis, and I'd say they're more skilled than most and that's why, because they're constantly learning/training/practicing this stuff from people who spend all their time thinking about it.

Is it just me or is all this armchair pontificating while lacking the actual facts pertaining to the incident a little on the tacky side.  Lets face it someone's son, daughter, friend died and regardless of their decision making processes concerning immersion protection/training/boat choice  it seems less then respectful to throw around words like "stupid"  and "they got what's coming".  Any paddling accident (tragic or otherwise) creates an opportunity for introspection and improvement regarding our own personal choices when it comes to safety on the water. It would be nice to do this without second guessing someone who tragically is not here to speak for themselves.


 

Thank you PP
A loss of life is nothing to take lightly. It is also not a time to climb on your soap box and put your mega phone on repeat.

Please lets let this thread be simple and clear. You are responsible for you and your loved ones. On this day of celebrating love hug those that are close to you and let them know how much you care.

May the deceased rest in peace and find that perfect steelhead stream in the sky.

Tight lines ...... 

I'm basing my statement on these facts, and sticking to it.

"We've recovered a kayak, a life vest and even a fanny pack," Keenan said.

As previously stated, I feel sorry for the family, but no life jacket in February on Lake Washington?

If someone was driving down I-5 with no seatbelt on at 70mph, would you chastise me calling them stupid as well?

Is it just me or is all this armchair pontificating while lacking the actual facts pertaining to the incident a little on the tacky side.  Lets face it someone's son, daughter, friend died and regardless of their decision making processes concerning immersion protection/training/boat choice  it seems less then respectful to throw around words like "stupid"  and "they got what's coming".  Any paddling accident (tragic or otherwise) creates an opportunity for introspection and improvement regarding our own personal choices when it comes to safety on the water. It would be nice to do this without second guessing someone who tragically is not here to speak for themselves.


 

To be correct I said "stupid decisions" and that's my opinion based on the facts presented in the article. Be rational.

Posted by: NANOOK
« on: Today at 01:56:05 pm »
    * Insert Quote
Quote from: pelagic paddler on Today at 01:06:07 pm

    Is it just me or is all this armchair pontificating while lacking the actual facts pertaining to the incident a little on the tacky side.  Lets face it someone's son, daughter, friend died and regardless of their decision making processes concerning immersion protection/training/boat choice  it seems less then respectful to throw around words like "stupid"  and "they got what's coming".  Any paddling accident (tragic or otherwise) creates an opportunity for introspection and improvement regarding our own personal choices when it comes to safety on the water. It would be nice to do this without second guessing someone who tragically is not here to speak for themselves.

To be correct I said "stupid decisions" and that's my opinion based on the facts presented in the article. Be rational.
Posted by: Lee
« on: Today at 01:20:44 pm »

    * Insert Quote
I'm basing my statement on these facts, and sticking to it.

Quote
    "We've recovered a kayak, a life vest and even a fanny pack," Keenan said.

As previously stated, I feel sorry for the family, but no life jacket in February on Lake Washington?

If someone was driving down I-5 with no seatbelt on at 70mph, would you chastise me calling them stupid as well?

Can we please stop our dirt kicking contest and reserve this thread for condolences? If you would like to start another thread on proper training or what to wear on the water please do that...
Thanks,

I agree with Fungunnin

I agree wholeheartedly with PP,Funnigan and Marvin. Respect the water and what it can do, but please be respectful to all involved when a tragedy occurs.
I feel ashamed that NWKA will be associated with callous commentary.
 

What point does a tragedy serve if not to remind us about the important things?

If it was me I'd want people to learn from it so it doesn't happen again.

I had a friend die kayaking last year and I know how he'd feel about it.

I'm pretty sure these things get posted for a reason - more than condolences. I'm pretty sure their family would agree how important safety is as well. For some people to try and manipulate my words or message for personal issues is pretty disgraceful I would say.