It's time to fight back
Brian Nystrom types
For those of you who are as tired of the whacko's ranting as I am... snip
A few observations:
The author's invective use of "murders" and the assertion that 1000's of people
(children) are "killed" by an "industry" is obviously designed to provoke
emotional responses from the non paddling public as well as from persons
involved in the sport.
Are any of his figures correct?
For example:
Exactly how many deaths per year occur in/around kayaks/canoes?
How many are drownings vs. hypothermia vs. other causes? (I.e. head injury)
How many involve the use/non use of helmets (where appropriate) and PFDs
What about the role of alcohol or other recreational chemicals?
What about the lack if judgment (Attempting to paddle waters that are beyond
one's skill level)
I tend to critically evaluate the statistics cited by someone who has written a
"book" designed to appeal to the emotions and ultimately sell the author's
"invention".
"There are lies, Damned lies and Statistics" (Mark Twain)
The best defense against such an emotional attack may well be the truth!
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