CR Yaker wrote:
Chekika wrote:
Mark--If you are going out that far, you do need to tether yourself to your boat. Remember the saying (mine): accidents happen when you least expect them, and they happen fast. Be careful. Yeah, that cooler is great to use with an AI--I'm not sure where you will put it on a Tandem unless you are going solo--then you could put it in the front cockpit, I guess.
Keith
Keith, thanks for your concern. I understand that one should be concerned and try the upmost to be prepared for the worst case scenarios of the unpredictable ocean. BUT, that being said, life is short and death comes to us all, I fear not the sea, but embrace the beauty and challenges it offers. If I should perish by sea, so be it, I accept that possibility.
In short, I don't get so caught up in needing every little safety device or piece of equipment, if I did, then I'd probably never do many extreme adventures.
As far as tethering oneself to the Kayak, I am not convinced that this is a wise decision, thinking thru all the possible scenarios. Let alone all the issues of clutter a tether would make, possible creating further issues. In short, there is enough noise on the AI/TI fishing, making it more simple is the more enjoyable, safer choice in my opinion. Be it, that I am fit and physically capable, which is the biggest safety concern for extreme outings.
Yes, it is all about choices. I've lived a long and fairly interesting life. If I died tomorrow, and I could think about it, I would say, "Fine, that's life." On the other hand, I'm still having fun. So, if you said to me, do you have a problem with dying tomorrow? I'd say, "Yes."
So, to say, I might die at sea is not the same as saying I want to die at sea. To say, I'm not worried about dying is not the same as saying "I don't mind if I die tomorrow because I did something stupid." At your age, I wasn't even into the best part of my life or, at least I had a lot more worthwhile living to do. Being physically fit, may not make a whole lot of difference if you get separated from your boat 20 mi off shore. I like the whitewater kayaker mantra: "Don't do a Class 5 river if you can't do a Class 5 swim." Bottom line, taking some simple precautions when doing somewhat adventuresome/dangerous things is simply being prudent and does not reflect on ones attitude toward death or danger. I have learned to be comfortable shifting the odds in my favor, if things suddenly go south--it is not a measure of my masculinity.
I just reflected this morning on a couple "accidents" I've had on the water. (1) I had a rented skiff for my wife and myself. I was fishing off the elevated bow--light wind and not much current flowing. I stepped off the elevated bow into the console area. Next second I was in the water. In stepping off the bow, I had mis-stepped and bumped the console--bumped it hard enough that it knocked me off the boat. There was no stumbling, no grabbing as I tried to catch myself. No, one step, one bump, and splash--I'm in the water.
(2) For a number of years, I had a Carolina Skiff--a square bow skiff. I fished from it frequently, and you could amble back and forth along the 6-ft square bow. My brother-in-law came down, and I hired a guide to take us fishing. We were fishing off the
pointed bow of the guide boat, when I took a step. Next second, I'm in the water. I literally just stepped off the front of the boat--it was not my square-bow skiff. Careless, stupid, yes. And possibly deadly if you were there by yourself. I can see the epitaph on my tome stone: "He died doing what he loved to do--fishing." But, I don't really want to die fishing.
Keith
Login
Register
FAQ
