Critical Judgement II: Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities 1996-2002

Released and presented at the Paddlesports Education Leadership Forum of the International Boating and Water Safety Summit (April 19-21, Panama City Florida), Critical Judgment II: Understanding and Preventing Canoe and Kayak Fatalities, provides two more years of canoe and kayak safety statistics.

Although more statistics are needed, there are identifiable trends emerging, added Gordon Black, ACA Director of Safety Education and Instruction. "Kayaking is growing so rapidly that it is becoming a larger factor in accidents and fatalities," he said. "It is too early to say it is a trend, but in the last 9 years kayaking has grown 272% and more accidents are occurring, most likely due to a slower growth in specific types of safety education." Critical Judgment IIconcluded that most of this growth was in recreational kayaking market--a market not as likely to seek out instruction. Many accidents, the report concluded, involved casual paddlers using a canoe while fishing. These two examples of statistics in Critical Judgment II will help the ACA further shape its safety message by reaching out to casual paddlers in venues specific to those groups.

"Critical Judgment II represents the next chapter in ACA's ongoing effort to reduce the number of fatalities that occur while canoeing and kayaking. It provides an informational foundation that will help individuals concerned with canoe and kayak safety to develop programs and messages that can effectively reach those who are most at risk."

"The same diversity that drives targeting of specific high-risk poopulation also drives the content of effective safety messages."

Excepts from Critical Judgment II