: Good advice! I concur.

: A couple additions to my post.

: I choose my VHF radio because it was compact (fits in PFD pocket) is
: waterproof and also can use AA batteries when the nicad runs out. On my
: last trip I was monitoring channel 16 waiting for contact from friends
: joining our party. I was at the same time talking to a attractive woman
: who joined our trip.

: DAAH! I forgot my radio on the hill and left it on all night. Of course the
: battery was dead. I was mighty glad I had the AA battery back up.

: After reading many accident reports where the search runs into the night I've
: applied large patches of reflective tape to the front and back of my PFD.
: I'm surprised the Coast Guard hasn't made this a requirement.

: Great safety article in the current July issue of Atlantic Coastal Kayaker
: magazine on page 15, "Manage Risk the NOLS Way". I had most of
: this covered on my last trip but wished I'd seen the "Pod
: Structure" section. We had a big group of 14 paddlers and this would
: have made travel safer.

: Is there a good safety book out there for sea kayakers? I've seen a lot of
: self rescue techniques at kayak symposiums and wish I had a reference for
: them.

: I have a dry bag in my cockpit with my emergency safety gear, flare, smoke,
: die markers, hey a space blanket and other stuff. I have my cockpit
: outfitted snugly for rolling so I don't know how you have a rescue bag
: attached to yourself Russ that's not in the way.

: Russ, can you give us details on what you carry in your little personal
: rescue bag? How do you carry it so it's not in the way?

: I learned from whitewater boating NEVER let go you boat or paddle if you
: swim. Whitewater boaters don't want things like tethered paddles because
: you could get tangled in them. This is not so much of an issue in sea
: kayaking but old habits die hard so I don't like to be attached to
: anything.

: To my mind the weakest link in the whole equation is judgment. Don't put
: yourself in harms way in the first place.

: Many people do not have the experience to accurately make an assessment of
: the risk factors involved in going out into the marine environment. There
: are so many factors to consider, like weather, wind, waves, and water
: temperature, time of day, fatigue level to name a few. We are accustomed
: to doing what we want when we want to do it and this can be a big problem
: in the marine environment if you have your mind set on a destination when
: conditions suggest a delay or new plan.

: Fear is a good thing. Listen to what it's telling you.

: Think twice, paddle safe.

: Rob

O.K., O.K. already, BUT, did you get the young ladies # ???

Thanks guys, for all the great advice.

Rehd