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Sea Kayaks Techniques Bulletin Board
Re: Industry Safety
Posted By: Ray In Response To: Re: Sponsons (Lee)
Date: Wednesday, 27 December 2000, at 10:51 a.m.
: Back to my original question, what could this industry do to take safety
: seriously as it could?Sorry for taking so long to reply, winter has set in and I've almost forgotten how nice paddling is. The skis have come out, got silicone sprayed, release bindings tested, snowy road car driving skills practiced ( intentional skids in a parking lot) etc. etc.
Most of us take pride in our knowledge, experience(s), paddle skills, etc. that are our own personal safety cushion, but how about the new consumer investigating the fastest growing watercraft category ( next to PWC's)? Many new kayak consumers today are well educated, environmentally aware, safety oriented, and have $$$$$. What does the industry offer them when they venture into the retail environment?
My real concern is that very useful safety devices such as larger paddlefloats, solid, tried and bulletproof deck paddle attachment systems ( not bungies ), sponsons, and other self rescue systems are not available for the consumer to choose from, off the rack. The reasons are unimportant, the fact remains that its basically up to the neophyte paddler to research these, call around, try them out, find out what works and what doesn't, and fix it if possible. No common standards exist for kayak flotation or a much more difficult area..flotation device enhanced reentry stability.. to enable consumers to assess the relative level of risk they are assuming in their choice of paddlecraft. Granted some WW boats are clearly marked Expert Only, but thats an extreme case.
A modest proposal might be that a kayak rating system would go from A to C, where an A rated boat would have as standard equipment a large paddlefloat or sponsons with strong, proper deck/hull fittings or straps installed, a minimum flooded cockpit buoyancy reserve of say 200 lbs, hull impact resistance of X, completely leakproof hatches, a towline system, and a signal kit properly attached inside the cockpit, etc. etc. A "C" rated boat would have none of these, and be designed for experts only who would outfit themselves. The inexpensive plastic kayaks sold without flotation or safety equipment might fit into this category as well. Many excellent kayaks sold today could be made up into an A package by the retailer.
Granted testing is a tough area, witness the idiocy of Canadian vs. US CG approval ratings and consequent local rules for required PFD's. Many excellent products are not submitted for dual certification due simply to the costs involved. I'm speaking from a CDN perspective of course.
Thus the consumer would be offered more choices right at the initial point of purchase, and our sport might benefit. Instruction is still the best route, and nothing replaces commomn sense and judgement, but if the retail product itself were safety enhanced ( with all the great stuff thats available right now) it would be a step in the right direction I think. Most other risk sports have some sort of uniform standards (eg. helmets, climbing ropes, etc.) and it may be time for kayaking as well. If it saves only one life, thats worth it.
Just some ideas, and a very happy and safe holiday season to all!! Only four months to go now.
Ray
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