I don't think flotation is asking too much from these manufacturers.

Each year we have a rescue clinic in our CT Kayak Club. We flood a few Recreational Boats and even the very strong and skilled kayakers can't empty them. The paddlers who try to reenter them sink them. So even if a paddler makes a wrong decision in their paddlig plans, wouldn't it be nice if the boat would allow them to renter it without sinking it. It's almost common sense yet yet the manufacturers save a few bucks and sell boats that people die in. It's no diferent than auto safety or boating safety items.

It's not too much to tell manufacturers to pack some foam in there. If a paddler has no pfd on, It could save their life by keping them afloat just long enough for a rescue. At least there would be domething to hang on to.

It's true that ultimtely we're talking about decision making as you say. But if everyone made good, informed decisions, we wouldn't be having this link. So we do what we can to prevent things.