by Gadgetgeek » Wed 31 Jan, 2018 8:26 pm
Not hard to imagine a runner in a race deciding to take less gear to save weight and therefore do better. Some might see an organized race and abdicate responsibility for personal safety. I've seen it happen often when people get too comfortable with the level of organization, they go into a different mode and the self preservation turns off.
Should walkers be controlled? Different story. You go on your own, you walk your own risk. If you pay me to take you walking, you will carry what I require of you, regardless of if I'm right or wrong, its my responsibility under that either expressed or implied duty of care.
Taswegian, I think its necessary to review each event as it happens and see how things change. Culture, gear, processes all change over time, so I don't think it will ever be a one-and-done thing. I spend a fair amount of time on "zero-harm" sites in the north of canada where a lot of the guys and gals had very dangerous jobs. We logged every twisted ankle, every slip and fall, every close call. Because if you don't, and if you don't cover it every day, people get complacent, or the rookies don't realize the risks. I watched rookies as old hands got dressed down for a stupid mistake, you bet that they wanted to be sure not to get that same treatment, because they knew it wouldn't come with the same respect. So we armchair quarterback every rescue, because we have to, otherwise we might end up next. And every thread is a record for all the rookies doing research. They won't all do so, but as said before, can't help everyone. The news cycle is different, but there is no helping that I think.