I always feel safer when I paddle with fellow paddlers who are all "geared up". I know that if the $#!t hits the fan, they're as prepared to help themselves and me as much as I am prepared to help them.
: There have been timen when I felt funny - look at me, all my immersion gear,
: radio, etc.. and the person I was with, no roll and very limited immersion
: time. He commens on my being 'way too serious' and I comment on him
: possibly getting ' in real trouble'. Hopefully I'll try to teach him to
: roll this summer.
I paddled with two guys in January who questioned my requirement (I was trip leader) that they must wear wetsuits or drysuits. It was about 23*F out and they wondered why I wouldn't back down on that req.
: I was comfortable with this person, and weve paddled together several times -
: on flat water 
And I'd be comfortable telling him I didnt think he was
: prepared, should we look at venturing further out. But suppose I wasnt?
That's a good thing. If you weren't? You might be setting yourself for a fall.
: Suppose he thought I was really unsafe,
That depends...are you really unsafe (which I know you're not), or is it just his hypothetical assessment of you. You can make sure folks don't ever see you being unsafe, and taking precautions all the time. Your safety attitude should never be questioned. If you make some bad decisions (and your paddling partners know better), they owe it to you to correct you.
: or vice versa? What are some good
: suggestions for tactfully handling that situation?
"Hey [insert name of buddy who doesn't wear immersion pro], have you ever taken a swim in water this cold?" Then do a wet exit and demonstrate how functional you are after 10 minutes. Challenge them to simply keep their hands in the cold water that long.
Try to encourage safe thinking on their part. You can't really tell someone what to do. You can ask loaded questions so they'll start thinking about the consequences of their actions.
My condolences to Ken's family, and to Murray and George. It's tough to know when a fellow paddler dies. It's even tougher when we know they're prepared, skilled, and practiced. I imagine it's toughest yet when you know them personally.
Shawn
