"Michael Daly" writes:

On 24-Oct-2003, Mary Malmros wrote:

Note that there was a hefty snip here...

Now, it's not clear to me that the need to use a
strap represents a huge increase in risk, but I'm not arguing that
point -- I'll assume that it does, and that if you can perform a
paddle float self rescue without a strap, you're bunches and bunches
safer than someone who can only perform a paddle float self-rescue
with a strap. [...]

That bigger problem being...?

If a person needs a strap, they are not capable of the basic physical
skill of floating on the surface and sliding onto the kayak. This
is usually because of some combination of strength, size, disability
etc. It could be because they are dumb, but we covered that with
the assumption that they would get training.

What about someone who can't float on the surface and slide into the
kayak without the help of a paddle float? Lotta people in that
category. Do you likewise consider them to be incapable of a "basic
physical skill" that, it seems, you consider a necessary skill for
someone to be able to kayak?

Disabled persons can get suitably set up with an alternate rescue
strategy, which may include no solo paddling and staying with folks
that they've done appropriate rescue practice with. I've met lots
of disabled athletes that are quite capable and are not a liability.
(my partner used to work with disabled athletes as a guide and
trainer)

If you don't have the strength or are so out of condition that you
need to mount a kayak like someone mounts a horse, that indicates
that you really shouldn't be paddling. Get into shape etc.

So, if someone has a permanent physical disability that prevents
them from using a "standard" self-rescue strategy, you can
paddle...but if you don't have the strength to do so, you shouldn't?
This smacks of a moral argument to me, regarding a matter where I
personally feel that practicality ought to rule the day. If someone
can't perform a "standard" self-rescue, does it matter why? Does it
matter if they're permanently disabled, or temporarily disabled, or
a small woman who's been told all her life that muscles aren't
ladylike, or a big slob who's been eating too many Chicken
McNuggets?

At all? Anywhere? Under any conditions?

If you can't do this without a strap, solo isn't for you and, if
you are paddling with me, say, that puts me at risk if I have to
help you. The conditions under which you go over are not conditions
under which I want to expend time and energy helping you back up onto
a kayak. If you can't do an effective solo rescue, you are not a
good target for an assisted rescue.

That's fine. I support 100% the right -- legal AND moral ;-) -- for
any paddler to make the call on who they paddle with, for any reason
whatsoever. It's your risk, it's your shuttle, and you're the one
who's gonna have to listen for n hours if your new paddling bud ends
up being a Jehovah's Witness Amway rep.

So the conditions under which you'd be safe are those where the
water is warm and shallow, so you can stay in the water as long
as it takes and either stand up to reenter or walk to shore and
reenter. In this case, you won't be paddling with too many sea
kayakers I've met.

Probably not, although back in the day when I lived by the sea, I
used to do trips with such people, from time to time. Right off the
beach, no one can do an unassisted self-rescue -- not until proven
otherwise, and I was taking people who'd never been in a boat
before. With people like that, you can never assume that they'll be
able to do anything, but noobs gotta start somewhere. Anyway,
they'll surprise you in both directions.

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Mary Malmros
Some days you're the windshield,
Other days you're the bug.