NYCkayaker Conn. Death, Dry Suits, Liability and Barriers

[TomBrooklyn]

> > From: "Erik Baard" <erikbaard at gmail.com>
> Date: Mon, 10 Dec 2007 15:28:04 -0500
> 
> ...a man died in the Long Island Sound,
> and his widow's lawsuit faults the town for "failure to post warning signs,
> inviting the public to use Long Beach when there were no lifeguards on duty,
> failing to close the beach and or erect barriers limiting the public's
> access to the beach."  http://www.connpost.com//ci_7662293
 
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A good place to get ideas for warning labels is: 
http://www.power-of-attorneys.com/wacky_warning_labels.asp?page=1   Some notables from there...

On a blanket from Taiwan:
Not to be used as protection from a tornado. 

Warning on fireplace log:
Caution -- Risk of Fire. 

A warning on a pair of shin guards manufactured for bicyclists:
Shin pads cannot protect any part of the body they do not cover. 

Warning on an electric router made for carpenters:
This product not intended for use as a dental drill. 

On Marks & Spencer bread pudding
Product will be hot after heating. 

On Sainsbury's peanuts:
Warning: Contains nuts. 

On Nytol Nighttime Sleep-Aid:
Warning: May cause drowsiness. 

Warning on a cartridge for a laser printer:
Do not eat toner. 

Can of self-defense pepper spray warns:
May irritate eyes. 

Household iron warns:
Never iron clothes while they are being worn. 

Cardboard car sun shield that keeps sun off the dashboards warns
Do not drive with sun shield in place 

Warning on a sharpening stone:
Knives are sharp. 

An electric cattle prods warns:
For use on animals only 

In the manual of a chainsaw:
Do not attempt to stop the blade with your hand. 

Stamped on the barrel of a .22 calibre rifle:
Warning: Misuse may cause injury or death. 

Instructions for an electric thermometer:
Do not use orally after using rectally. 
========================================
Perhaps we could assist the town of Stratford in coming up with some signage ideas to help protect
the public at their beaches.     How about a contest where we take submissions and pass on the
winning ideas after voting.  Let's have them.

Here's some ideas to get things started...

Danger:  Water can cause drowning.

Warning: Water is cold in winter. 

> Naturally, this mentality threatens the assumption of freedom and individual
> responsibility at the core of the "blue wave" community activism for water
> access in NYC and the surrounding area.

On a more serious note, I have taken the liberty of contacting the attorney for the defendent to
advise him there are individuals and organizations involved in kayaking who advocate taking
personal responsibility for the inherent risks they willingly undertake and who are interested in
not seeing access to the water limited, and who may be willing to provide support to his defense
in some way.  I have not heard back from him yet.

TBk