Practice, Practice, Practice

If we were playing Jeopardy, and that was the answer, to win you would have to supply the question, "How do you get to Carnegie Hall?" If you are a wary paddler, on the other hand, you could have asked, "How do you prepare for emergencies?"

We learn a T-rescue on flat water but never practice it in waves. Then, we wonder why it doesn't work when we need it. A fire starts, and we realize that we cannot operate the fire extinguisher or, worse, cannot remember where we put it. When you think about it, sometimes an emergency is just an interesting event that catches us unawares.

That's why clubs and organizations have flare shoots, like this one at the South Shore Yacht Club in Milwaukee. All were welcome to bring their old pyrotechnics, and the Coast guard and Milwaukee Fire Department were on hand to keep things safe. Fire fighting strategies were also taught.

I saw some flares that suffered premature flame out, and there were probably some that didn't work at all. This was a good place to find that out rather than when a life was at stake. Is there such an opportunity in your area, or is everyone waiting for you to organize one?

Paddle safe...
DS