Magic_Sailor
New member
A little while back now there was a post what I wrote about how taking RYA courses was a way of improving sailing standards (and at the time sailing behaviour). It caused a minor furore where we were split effectively into two camps.
Camp 1
The spluttering "I've sailed for 35 years - how will it make me a better sailor" and the inevitable look down the nose with the "only zero to hero" disparaging comment.
Camp 2
They're a good thing. I took them and I'm proud of being a Yachtmaster.
Frankly, I can see both points.
However, here maybe, is another arguement in favour:
1. There is a post elsewhere about whether self inflating life jackets work. A lot of people said theirs didn't (including me).
2. In her YM column the lovely Libby makes a well argued point that a lot of equipment on board our yachts has never been used in anger and that we would probably get in quite a pickle if we did use it. Substituting use for "fake safety".
3. In that same august tome, there is an article on fire extinguishers - one of which failed to operate completely (and miraculously, still scored 1 star - how on earth does the author justify that?)
4. Also in YM is a letter which mentions a malfunctioning flare where the user looked down the business end!
Life being what it is - most of us would never think of testing this type of kit, seeing what happens if...etc etc - we're too lazy by and large. Then we come to the crunch and use it in anger - when we're really under stress.... and it doesn't work how we expected. Result - possible ultimate disaster.
At least having completed these courses I've jumped in the pool with my lifejacket on and it failed to operate - I didn't have to panic - merely pull the ripcord. When the liferaft didn't go off at the first yank - we just yanked it harder. When I let off the flares, I could come to terms with their light, heat, sparks and smoke.
I haven't let off a fire extinguisher - perhaps I should.
So, even on this basis, it would seem to me that sailing courses (despite their sort of "manufactured" situations) are very worthwhile.
I may have been a zero and I may not now be a hero but at least I'm not a dumbo.
(Hows that for copy writing Ken?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Magic
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>
Camp 1
The spluttering "I've sailed for 35 years - how will it make me a better sailor" and the inevitable look down the nose with the "only zero to hero" disparaging comment.
Camp 2
They're a good thing. I took them and I'm proud of being a Yachtmaster.
Frankly, I can see both points.
However, here maybe, is another arguement in favour:
1. There is a post elsewhere about whether self inflating life jackets work. A lot of people said theirs didn't (including me).
2. In her YM column the lovely Libby makes a well argued point that a lot of equipment on board our yachts has never been used in anger and that we would probably get in quite a pickle if we did use it. Substituting use for "fake safety".
3. In that same august tome, there is an article on fire extinguishers - one of which failed to operate completely (and miraculously, still scored 1 star - how on earth does the author justify that?)
4. Also in YM is a letter which mentions a malfunctioning flare where the user looked down the business end!
Life being what it is - most of us would never think of testing this type of kit, seeing what happens if...etc etc - we're too lazy by and large. Then we come to the crunch and use it in anger - when we're really under stress.... and it doesn't work how we expected. Result - possible ultimate disaster.
At least having completed these courses I've jumped in the pool with my lifejacket on and it failed to operate - I didn't have to panic - merely pull the ripcord. When the liferaft didn't go off at the first yank - we just yanked it harder. When I let off the flares, I could come to terms with their light, heat, sparks and smoke.
I haven't let off a fire extinguisher - perhaps I should.
So, even on this basis, it would seem to me that sailing courses (despite their sort of "manufactured" situations) are very worthwhile.
I may have been a zero and I may not now be a hero but at least I'm not a dumbo.
(Hows that for copy writing Ken?/forums/images/icons/smile.gif
Magic
<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://hometown.aol.co.uk/geoffwestgarth/myhomepage/travelwriting.html>Click for website!</A>
