sarabande
Well-Known Member
a lot of that low risk on the boat is perhaps related to the fact that you don't drive raggies in close convoys side by side at =>70 mph .
Risks of yachting ?
- Thread starter Boo2
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Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
It's the men wot breaks, not the boats.
Sans Bateau
Well-Known Member
The most dangerous part of sailing is getting to the boat, no not rowing out to the mooring or walking down the pontoon, driving to the embarkation point is what I refer to.
There are some (possible) safer past times, stamp collection, cross stitch and astronomy spring to mind. Even gardening (in my experience) causes more pain.
There are some (possible) safer past times, stamp collection, cross stitch and astronomy spring to mind. Even gardening (in my experience) causes more pain.
Fire99
Well-Known Member
Personally, i'd pretty much ignore statistics.
Sailing and boat ownership appears rather more popular as folk get older so i'd wager that a fair number of the statistics are more to do with the general issues of being an oldie.
I would certainly say that to minimise risk, a bit of planning and common sense goes a long way. Generally it's pretty much up to you and nature as to your fate rather than getting squished by a passing boat, captained by 'captain dozy'.
Most of the occurances of any significant risk to me have been due to me being a bit of a wombat rather than a 3rd party.
Sailing and boat ownership appears rather more popular as folk get older so i'd wager that a fair number of the statistics are more to do with the general issues of being an oldie.
I would certainly say that to minimise risk, a bit of planning and common sense goes a long way. Generally it's pretty much up to you and nature as to your fate rather than getting squished by a passing boat, captained by 'captain dozy'.
Most of the occurances of any significant risk to me have been due to me being a bit of a wombat rather than a 3rd party.
Searush
Well-Known Member
Risks of sailing?
Bankruptcy & poverty have already been mentioned;
Divorce would seem to be a fairly high risk too;
Making a fool of one's self in front of the clubhouse is right up there at the top of the risk list;
Err, driving to/from the boat (110 miles each way for me);
Crossing the road to/from the pub after getting ashore;
Broken fingernails & dry or splitting skin are high risks too as are minor bumps & bruises;
DOH! I nearly forgot the risk of seasickness - when you would rather die!
Risk of death? No, not really, in a mere 30 years of cruising I have seen no deaths, although I have heard of a few - mostly returning from the pub/club in a heavily loaded dink across a strong tide in the dark without l/j's. I was once embayed on the N coast of Anglesey in a bad gale & the other boat in the bay dragged ashore & was smashed to pieces. The owners survived by simply wading thro the surf. So no, it isn't a risky sport. When things go wrong you have time to react & options to take. Sure, some people die - but remarkably few considering how far one could be from professional help when at sea.
Bankruptcy & poverty have already been mentioned;
Divorce would seem to be a fairly high risk too;
Making a fool of one's self in front of the clubhouse is right up there at the top of the risk list;
Err, driving to/from the boat (110 miles each way for me);
Crossing the road to/from the pub after getting ashore;
Broken fingernails & dry or splitting skin are high risks too as are minor bumps & bruises;
DOH! I nearly forgot the risk of seasickness - when you would rather die!
Risk of death? No, not really, in a mere 30 years of cruising I have seen no deaths, although I have heard of a few - mostly returning from the pub/club in a heavily loaded dink across a strong tide in the dark without l/j's. I was once embayed on the N coast of Anglesey in a bad gale & the other boat in the bay dragged ashore & was smashed to pieces. The owners survived by simply wading thro the surf. So no, it isn't a risky sport. When things go wrong you have time to react & options to take. Sure, some people die - but remarkably few considering how far one could be from professional help when at sea.
Risk Factor
New Member
Just about everyone I know that plays soccer has had a serious injury (defined as one requiring professional attention). None that I know of has had to go to the hospital as a result of yachting. Btw, I know about the same number of soccer enthusiasts as yachters.
My medical insurance excludes "dangerous sports" including skiing and water sports. I don't think, however, that cruising in a sailboat is considered a sport. Only regatta racing, surfboards, and alike would be excluded.
My medical insurance excludes "dangerous sports" including skiing and water sports. I don't think, however, that cruising in a sailboat is considered a sport. Only regatta racing, surfboards, and alike would be excluded.
Twister_Ken
Well-Known Member
I've known three deaths, fortunately none on a boat I was part of. One heart attack, one hit on head by boom, one natural causes when sleeping on the boat in the marina.
Searush
Well-Known Member
I think that knowing you may be the high risk rather than boating - 67% of those were natural causes anyway!
I know a couple of blokes with boats that have died, but both were over 80 & one had cancer & neither were on their boats at the time! It's nowt to do with the risks of boating is it?
Nealo
Well-Known Member
According to Dr Johnson, "Every man thinks meaner of himself for not having been a soldier, or not having been to sea". So you can see how sailing was perceived in the 1780's.
I'm sure the anxiety is similar to how people feel about flying. Statistically driving a car is much more dangerous than sailing, yet does anyone feel anxious every time they set off on a car journey? It's to do with the consequences of something going wrong, not the likelihood.
If you compare it in the sporting arena I would suggest that almost every sport (and no, I don't count darts and snooker) is more risky in terms of personal injury.
Lakesailor's right - it is astonishing how many people come to grief indulging in a seemingly benign activity such as fellwalking.
This is going off at a bit of a tangent, but I remember listening to a very interesting radio programme on river pilots a couple of years ago, and I'm sure it was said that on average, worldwise, a river pilot dies every week. I think that makes it even more dangerous than mining or working on an oil rig.
I'm sure the anxiety is similar to how people feel about flying. Statistically driving a car is much more dangerous than sailing, yet does anyone feel anxious every time they set off on a car journey? It's to do with the consequences of something going wrong, not the likelihood.
If you compare it in the sporting arena I would suggest that almost every sport (and no, I don't count darts and snooker) is more risky in terms of personal injury.
Lakesailor's right - it is astonishing how many people come to grief indulging in a seemingly benign activity such as fellwalking.
This is going off at a bit of a tangent, but I remember listening to a very interesting radio programme on river pilots a couple of years ago, and I'm sure it was said that on average, worldwise, a river pilot dies every week. I think that makes it even more dangerous than mining or working on an oil rig.
sailor211
Well-Known Member
other past times
I was thinking of this thread, as i looked through SWMBO quilting mag, a gentle hobbie i thought, but there was a 2 page article discussing thirteen products to prevent or deal with injuries sustained quilting!!
OK mainley RSI, back and eye problems
I was thinking of this thread, as i looked through SWMBO quilting mag, a gentle hobbie i thought, but there was a 2 page article discussing thirteen products to prevent or deal with injuries sustained quilting!!
OK mainley RSI, back and eye problems
trapezeartist
Well-Known Member
There are an almost infinite number of very obvious hazards associated with sailing. Therefore we take precautions. Therefore real-life casualties are very rare.
As several people have said, sailing has an older demographic than just about anything else that could be called a sport (except perhaps bowling) so it is unsurprising that a few people pop their clogs while sailing, nothing to do with the "danger". I also remember some 20 or so years ago there was an 80 year-old still motor-racing, participating in vintage races (and believe me, this is not London-Brighton stuff: most of those guys are really RACING). He suffered a heart-attack on the track, ran off the road and gently kissed the barrier. By the time the marshals reached him he was dead. It's not a bad way to go, and I'm sure he would have looked down afterwards and have been pleased to see that his beloved Le Mans Bentley was hardly damaged.
As several people have said, sailing has an older demographic than just about anything else that could be called a sport (except perhaps bowling) so it is unsurprising that a few people pop their clogs while sailing, nothing to do with the "danger". I also remember some 20 or so years ago there was an 80 year-old still motor-racing, participating in vintage races (and believe me, this is not London-Brighton stuff: most of those guys are really RACING). He suffered a heart-attack on the track, ran off the road and gently kissed the barrier. By the time the marshals reached him he was dead. It's not a bad way to go, and I'm sure he would have looked down afterwards and have been pleased to see that his beloved Le Mans Bentley was hardly damaged.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
A thread on Scuttlebutt at the moment quotes deaths by drowning statistics. Three times as many people drown in their cars than do by falling off their boats at sea. IIRC the statistical total is eight per year.
Boathook
Well-Known Member
It is a 'dangerous' hobby / sport and all my injuries (cuts & bruises) to date have been down to maintenance so far. I suspect this will now change after this post.
Conachair
Guest
Site here http://www.hassandlass.org.uk/query/index.htm for accident statistics if you can be bothered to click enough times.
Seems that there have been no thermal effect injurys to the lower leg involving 65 - 74 year old females shopping on a windsurfing board in a natural area.
I always had that down as a high risk activity, just shows how wrong you can be
Seems that there have been no thermal effect injurys to the lower leg involving 65 - 74 year old females shopping on a windsurfing board in a natural area.
I always had that down as a high risk activity, just shows how wrong you can be
planteater
Well-Known Member
Yep. I looked into the stats a couple of years ago for a presentation on sea safety. IIRC, the majority of UK drownings were beach/canal fishermen. I think pool drownings outnumbered boating accidents.