Missing kayaker in Monterey ... all ends well

Sure I'd help.  
Have done.

It's self-understood that boaters will help boaters.
Self understood that climbers will help climbers.

"Going outside" for help, though....

If someone "goes outside" and asks me for help, of course --- just as the Coast Guard would --- I will help.

But my god, what I think of them may be quite another thing.

Classic "Sea Kayakers".....present a classic example:

Very close to 100% of all persons who own classic "Sea Kayaks" and who call themselves "Sea Kayakers".....cannot perform an eskimo roll.

Yet it is manifestly insane to put one's butt in the cockpit of a "decked kayak" WITHOUT affirmatively and quickly acquiring a totally reliable E-roll.

It offends me that these people SUBSTITUTE a VHF radio and the ability to call the Coast Guard....for personal ability and personal responsibility.

They are no bretheren of mine...
I really emphatically don't like them.

Judd

So we agree that one should be self sufficient.  And if someone is in need of help, we'd both help.  But if I find myself in a situation that is beyond my ability to control or anticipate, I will ask for help.  And if someone is paddling with me and needs help, please ask for it.  I don't want to be in a situation where you don't ask for help soon enough, and I have to clean up the mess.

-Allen

It offends me that these people SUBSTITUTE a VHF radio and the ability to call the Coast Guard....for personal ability and personal responsibility.

So what is the point of having a VHF radio?

The VHF is so that when a shark comes and bites the tail off your kayak, you can radio your buddies and tell them about the awesome self rescue you just pulled off.



-Allen

The experience of the US Coast Guard with kayaks has been negative.

The Coast Guard isn't going to carry any brief for us in establishing or retaining launch-points.

Judd

those of you that know me know that i'm careful.  i require all crew members on board to wear pfd's.  these pfd's are equipped with a strobe, a 3-pack of flares, a cyalume light stick and a horn.  two of the 5 available pfd's have a waterproof vhf radio and a waterproof gps.  i wear the same pfd when i'm on the kayak.  

as far as social responsibility goes, i am personally in favor of anyone trying to get nominated for a darwin award as long as it doesn't cost anyone else a penny.  but an ambulance ride costs $1000.  who knows what a helicopter ride costs!  24 hours of ICU bed time costs $1500.  that's not counting nursing time, physician's services, pharmacy services and supplies.  if you do something stupid and wind up dead, i will send flowers.  if you do something stupid and wind up in an icu for three weeks, you will have nothing but my contempt, but i will still send flowers.  whether paid by an insurance company, or state tax payers, those costs are still passed down to the general public.  if i have to pay for someone's stupidity, i want some limits put on their conduct.  

did you read in the news 5-10 year ago about the kid that tried to "charm" a rattlesnake and kiss it on the head?  a vial of ratttlesnake antivenin costs $1000.  he needed 20 vials in the first 24 hours.  oh, and he had no insurance.

Have you guys heard the story of the divers that were rescued that same day?  They left a doofus on the boat... it slipped anchor and he didn't realize it till about 5 miles later

Message from Bay Area divers

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ba_diving/message/24488