Missing kayaker in Monterey ... all ends well

Be safe out there ... http://www.montereyherald.com/mld/montereyherald/news/11248937.htm

-Allen

VHF radios should be mandatory for all Kayak rental shops.

..just my two cents.

More like a gps tracking unit epoxied inside the kayak.  People would destroy rental VHFs in short order, and may be too dumb to use it correctly.

PS... I agree

More like a gps tracking unit epoxied inside the kayak

How much is this compared to a VHF?

http://www.gpsonsale.com/Beacon/BeaconProducts/FastFindPlus.htm

Looks idjitproof

That's pretty expensvie compared to a VHF - but obviously a great safety investment.

HMB Kayaks uses GPS tracking on their rentals  

I think the satelite bit is overkill.  If I were building one I'd make it so that the rescuer could ping it and it'd broadcast it's position, then go back to sleep.  That way the rental shop could keep track of where their boats are if they want, and home in on one once they're in radio range of it.

The satelite radio ones are required by law on some boats, so there's no reason for the manufacturers to try to cut sale prices since they've got a captive market.

Not a commonly-held view but I don't believe in mandating safety.

If a guy doesn't want to wear a life jacket....absolutely he should not be required to.

All people should be expected to assess danger correctly and act accordingly.

I disagree with VHF for the purpose of calling for help from the Coast Guard.

Judd

I can kinda see where you're coming from Judd, if you look at stuff like seatbelts and helmets I think it should be up to the individual.  However, that seems kinda sketchy on the ocean.  Assesing danger out there isn't always an easy thing to do and expecting inexperienced paddlers to be able to do that and act accordingly may be a little too much to ask.  I made quite a few trips without the vhf and have to admit that looking back I feel pretty dumb.  Always nice to have a fall back option if something goes wrong.

I live two blocks from were she went out from, the wind at that time was real bad she should of never been able to rent, all about the money. i am amazed that she wasn't blown out to sea, because the south winds were charging that way. yers they should have some kind of low jack system in polace to keep track. i see some of the people they rent to, unguilded mind you , falling over with no wind or swell . i have help a few get back in there yaksssss  chef

I'm all for safety as a personal choice.  However, in some situations, people may not fully understand the dangers.  I would think a sea kayak rental business would be one of those situations.  If I owned such a business I would think I had an obligation to ensure the safety of any and all of my customers, whatever means that might be.  That and I'd centainly not like the outcome of being sued if someone were lost at sea.

-Allen

All people should be expected to assess danger correctly and act accordingly.

= in a perfect world, yes.

I apologize.....you guys are right.....ChefStephano made me realize how dumb I was being.

Wind.

A person can't assess the danger of wind unless they've experienced it.....at least....unless they've been expressly told of it, but the power of wind is subtly strong and you kind of have to get pushed by it to realize how strong.   I guess you can't require "rental muffins" to be "responsible" for much, or anything.

I personally, though, will die before I ask for help.

Once on a whitewater trip with two other expert-level boaters who were first-time acquaintances. Out of sight of them because I was in the lead I got pulled backward into a rock seive the tail of my boat jammed there.  A narrow congested area with bolders-big-as-houses blocking views.   So I was tail-down backwards, jammed with water spilling 8-inches deep across my skirt and I wanted to yell to one of the guys I knew was closest, name of Bert Weltie, for a hand.....but I couldn't remember his name.  Just couldn't remember his name.  Overtly rejected the notion of yelling the word "help" and could NOT remember Bert's name...was NOT going to yell for help.  

Sat there until Bert, wondering where I was, found me and pulled me out.

This isn't bravery and it isn't foolishness.
I just won't ask for help when I've put myself in the situation in the first place.  

Kayakers and rock wall climbers should not be asking for help.   Back country skiiers should not be asking for help.   Period.

Judd

Kayakers, rock or mountain climbers, and skiiers have the onus on them to be prepared enough that they shouldn't depend on the ability to ask for help ... be self sufficient.  Still, situations occur that warrent asking for help.  I guess it is your choice weather you want to or not, but I don't agree with the statement that people "should not be asking for help".  Judd, I'm assuming that if someone asked you for help, you would help them, right?

-Allen