NYCkayaker Bike Helmets and PFD not important?

[David A. Menken]

Robert is right.  As an EMT in Westchester, I've responded to car crashes
and bike crashes.  It's a lot of extra work, and a lot more nauseating, to
have to hold a person's skull together to prevent the brains from leaking
out.  Or to look into a person's eyes and see 2 unequal pupils from a
concussion.  I've also responded to 2 kayak accidents where the person, for
whatever reason, didn't have a PFD, didn't hold onto the capsized boat,
tried to swim for shore (in a pond), and drowned.  As a volunteer, I'd
rather not see those things.  They give me bad dreams.  And make me spend
too much time in group crisis intervention sessions that the Department
personnel are required to attend after such an incident.