Monday, September 20, 2010

The Causual Paddle
No Such Thing?

In medicine, we say that the most common error is that of omission. Someone forgets to check something or to ask some vital question and, as a result, a disaster occurs. I wonder if that might not apply to kayaking. How often does a situation arise during which a piece of necessary equipment is ashore or is found not to work? In medicine, we avoid omissions by using recipes or set, repetitive ways of doing things. The same really applies to paddling, at least the way I go at it.

A lot of my paddles are solo, in not very challenging conditions and close to shore. Even so, I put the short tow line on the deck lines, my extra paddle on the foredeck the long tow set up around my waist and a first aid kit, repair kit and extra safety equipment in the day hatch. My radio is in a pfd pocket, and so on. It is almost certain that none of these would ever be needed during these casual paddles. I carry them all and every time, however, so that my ritual before going out on the water is always the same and, in being so, reduces my risk of omission.

When the times come when I, alone or with a group, will be going out in the big stuff or making a crossing, I automatically know that I have what I may need without having to go through a long check list. Now, if only I could find my car keys.

Paddle safe...
DS

11 comments:

Stan Mac Kenzie said...

That is truly funny.
lol
Stan

Silbs said...

Sure, go ahead a laugh, and wait until you can't remember where you left your paddle :)

JohnB said...

your keys are just one of the misssing items . . . I won't keep going. By the way, did you ever find my spare key that you had this summer?

Silbs said...

On a black (with white dots) string, two keys and pink plastic cover over label says white mini-van kayak racks and your license plate? Those are yours??

JohnB said...

them's the ones. LOL!

Mackayak said...

Despite fluorescent green container for keys and glasses, most recent lost item... glasses. Only slightly less awful than car keys.

JohnB said...

losing glasses may be worse than car keys--may not be able to see keys, or drive home without glasses. I usually carry a spare pair of both regular glasses and sunglasses in the car. Redunancy is a good thing. BTW Silbs, that 2nd key is to my house!

DaveO said...

I'll admit to paddling yesterday clad only in tuliq and inflatable pfd under it. Of course it was only a 120 acre lake. On the other hand, I've been asked if I'm on a commando raid when I'm wearing my pfd (which is most of the time) with radio, tow belt, knife, whistle, etc etc. Think I'll stick with the commando look for the big water however.

RussJ said...

While most often I bring the entire kit, I must admit that it feels really good on occasion to paddle an empty boat wearing nothing but swim trunks and a PFD.

I'm thinking those days are over for this year. :o(

Silbs said...

Admit it , Russ. You padle naked.

RussJ said...

Naked paddling- another reason to have a good roll. An assisted rescue could be painful for everyone involved.