TSE TSO

DECISION

TSE TSO

As Rescue Water Craft Coxswains, leaders or instructors, our goal is not to cause harm.

This means our training program needs to be inspected, reviewed and careful consideration and care used to implement the best practices. PROGRAM EVALUATION

We need to set success through the measure of producing competency and program security along with training accordingly. And we need to enforce that like mad!

What is always relative? History is relative. We tend not to learn from history until it becomes our own.

So how do we incorporate the lessons they learned? We must study and we must listen!

Let us go back in time.

It is 1934. Tyrolean climbers Aschenbrenner and Schneider make an attempt summit at Nanga Parbat in the Himalayans.

This mountain is the 9th highest on Earth.

Six Sherpas lost their lives and their names do not stand out in history.

Ego and National pride carry as high a price as that we find in the Rescue Water Craft community. Be proud of accomplishments, but first be prepared to ensure their success.

Tse Tso is a saying ‘Long Life’ and Pasang Picture Sherpa saved his life through the determination of this mindset during a snowstorm. He was at high altitude when abandoned by his employers to fend for himself with 2 of his fellow Porters.

This action meant certain death on the mountain. He had a choice to make. Give up and surrender to fate or to take action. The problem he faced was he was not taught to lead and was not equipped to do so.

He decided at that moment to take the lead and endure into the unknown.

Let us not forget the hard lessons of all pioneers, survivors and the dead.

This is where ‘lessons learned’ comes into play and how we often ignored the warning signs. We could extract thousands of these incidents that any of us could determine our best route forward.

DO NOT DUPLICATE

The need for support staff was critical to success in mountaineering at this level. How we as humans treated one another then was reciprocal for the history of those times.

However, for us in 2019 we can revisit and learn from this tragedy. A significant cultural detraction was the ‘Sahibs’ did not train their ‘Porters’ to be climbers. They did not outfit them with appropriate climbing gear or enough caloric intake.

There was a disconnect between the two groups and the porters (Sherpas) suffered greatly for this.

Aschenbrenne and Schneider abandoned 3 Sherpas on a descent leaving them and speeding off on skis. Pasang Picture realized he would have to take the lead to bring down Nima Dorje and Pinzo Norbu to basecamp IV.

This was not exclusive to the German group in the formative years of climbing the Himalayas; many nations have gone to the Himalayans not respecting the capabilities of the Sherpas as climbers but simple carriers of equipment for logistical support. Budget with many events has placed safety in the back row for decades.

What is the parallel for today?

Do not think that your mechanic is not important to your RWC program. They are on that boat with you! If you are not able to tell effectively your mechanic what the problems are how can they make an efficient assessment and repair?

In 2019 for climbing change is championed from Nepalese climber Nirmal Purja, and partners Mingma David Sherpa and Gesman Tamang summited Everest of Project Possible:

PROJECT POSSIBLE

Sherpas have climbed the Himalayas more than any other group in the world, but have lain mainly in the shadows of mountaineering history. Project Possible broke that barrier and shattered it.

Change is a struggle. We are not our great grandparents and we do not live in those times. We are in a time of great prosperity and reduction of poverty worldwide. We have opportunity and luxury. Anyone can be great if they put their mind to it and follow suit.

We have opportunity, ability to travel, and the incredible asset of using the internet to learn faster, unite with new Rescue Water Craft partners, use translation services to communicate and share content and inspiration.

We are witness to the rapid increase of a unique small power craft that I set out to revolutionize training worldwide. I did not know this alone. Thousands of people are the impetus of this success. The internet is making that happen for all of us. The obscurity of anonymity has passed.

I myself believe I am a guide for others as a Subject Matter Expert in the Personal Water Craft community. I am the voice for those who are behind the scenes, in our past history and guiding you to take the lead now and in the future.

I could have all the answers in the room, but if a water rescue mob doesn’t want that, we could revert back to a tragedy like the one in 1934 or any known Rescue Water Craft fatality.

Why is this? Not listening to the lessons learned of our forefathers and foremothers who pioneered the RWC capacity and averted disaster. We are still alive, striving for Tse Tso, nobody dies.

ONE IS NONE

In the early years of the 1970’s to the 80’s the Personal Water Craft water safety crew coined a few terms I will share with you:

1. A Moment for Safety will Save a Lifetime of Regret – ‘Brian Bendix’
2. Nobody Dies – USJSBA/IJSBA Course Marshals – ‘Brad Southworth, Ronny Kling, Steve Strickland, Willy’

These men paid attention and were not concerned about safety, they planned for it with strategy. They had much less then you do today for assets. You may not have been born in 1974, so learn to respect those who handed the baton into your lane.

The 1934 expedition is where Ang Tsering Sherpa and Pasang Painter Sherpa became mountaineers and were no longer just Porters. They became lifesavers.

Ask yourself this: How would you manage the death of your Crew while you were navigating on the water? What would you do next?

The names of the dead Sherpas are not mentioned in history like the leads and nations who funded those climbs.

The Germans did not share the details of what happened those 7 days of survival on the mountain. The Sherpa voices were private and reserved, their version reserved in the faded distance.

Many climbers died from decisions that were made before they stepped foot on the mountain. The same parallel happens in the Rescue Water Craft community. Some of this was economic, poor planning, bad weather or an incomplete team.

Likewise, Coxswains and Crew have died because their training was not secure for safety. How would you value their sacrifice?

The storm they encountered on Nanga Parbat that began on July 7, 1934 at the Silver Saddle shares with us valuable lessons of leadership, organization, training and what training produces; safety.

The vetting system of a Rescue Water Craft team is critical. The knowledge base and equipment must be reliant and the equipment ready for the field.

Many Rescue Water Craft programs have insufficient equipment and are ill prepared to succeed in 2019. Even though we began our Rescue Water Craft outreach in 1974 in the USA.

I have witnessed Rescue Water Craft programs where the Crew Members are treated as a second-class citizen. Sometimes they are referred to as ‘rescue swimmers’ but in our maritime culture they are Crew members. This is dangerous.

Why is it dangerous you may wonder? If a Rescue Water Craft Coxswain is injured, knocked off the RWC or has died, the Crew person must take their position and do so with competence.

And during the struggle they may need to recover or rescue their teammate or survivors in the water and finish the recovery to the end point of transfer.

Crew must possess the same skills and knowledge base as the Coxswain. This is a close quarter boat for persons on board, everyone is part of the stability or instability of the craft underway to some extent.

Those not in the lead may not give credit to those in the flanks.

1. Prepare an effective vetting program for all participants, ensure their physical and mental strength is adequate
2. Monitor Weather and water conditions underway
3. Prepare properly Personal Protective Equipment
4. Inspect and maintain the vessel according to the manufacturer specifications
5. Train like your life and others depend upon it
6. Assess and remedy any necessary corrections that are discovered
7. Investigate mishaps and revise training or program management immediately
8. Clearly define your area of operation, seasonally, daily or with disasters in mind. Set limits.
9. Proper budget needed to maintain a marine unit

A Rescue Water Craft is a boat. It is not a cheap excuse to rescue or a shortcut.

It is not an inexpensive boat. It is a high-performance craft that requires proper funds, professional maintenance (monthly and annual) necessary to maintain a sufficient program for each craft.

If you or your organization is not treating your RWC program like a boat marine unit, close it down immediately. Do not proceed! Get off the boat and restructure your maritime program.

That mountain is waiting for the storm to show you where your problems are and it may very well take life. At that point you cannot afford the program you should have put in place before tragedy strikes.

My friend Lee Selman sent me this book ‘Tigers of the Snow’, written by Jonathan Neale.

The perspective of culture, lifesaving and information is a must read.

You will discover how the narrative of truth can become a Long Life (Tse Tso), or lead to certain death by personal volition.

We choose. Choose this book and gain insight into training, communication, planning and strategy and why it must be purposeful:

TIGERS OF THE SNOW

While you are at it, look up the history of the Sherpas and their contributions. We honor those pioneers and preserve their history. All lifesavers are unique souls who would give their life for others. This crosses all disciplines and mediums, earth, sky or water.

Things are getting better. People are humbling themselves to address the problems they have occurred. These assessments are working. Encourage one another to continue to foster developing our Rescue Water Craft culture.

Do not remain silent when a mishap occurs, dig in, expose the problems and save the life of yourself or a teammate.

That is the answer.

__________________

Posted: August 13, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

DESTRUCTIVE OR CONSTRUCTIVE

REASON

DESTRUCTIVE OR CONSTRUCTIVE

RWC Best Practices based on the will of the Coxswain, the instructor or program manager:

How to preserve instruction?

Well instruction is more important than safety itself, because safety is a word that is reliant on human behavior.

If that behavior was not laid out properly with effective disciplines and enforcement, there is no reason to assume that a program will succeed.

It will succeed to induce injury or a mishap.

Then most program managers or investigators will conclude here are the examples of wrong and these are the items that will change. This is wrong.

LIABILITY

This is the protection of incompetency and liability.

It should be the other way around:

1. Behavioral Training
2. Safety is enforced from behavioral training

The human element must be managed. This may take the form of the following:

1. Inspection lists
2. Tests, quizzes, exams
3. Behavior handling of a Rescue Water Craft under scrutiny
4. Remedial corrections
5. Discipline

Will used as thought that is purposeful is part of reason.

The argument is how to apply value and on what metrics will those values be determined?

How do we achieve reason, or that which is reasonable in Rescue Water Craft Operations?

That is where standards are rooted in the core existence of operational security.

CORRECTION

It has to be effectively communicated with rational discussion and expression.

There is where we find that standards can reveal a mutable exchange of benefits that are based on the faith of those who have invested in the reasonable conclusions. These conclusions should not be based on assumptions but on evidence.

Reason can uphold the necessity of safety and instruction. If the reason for a RWC program is not clearly defined, or researched then that neglect will only ensure the success of a struggle which results in an accident.

Isn’t this a betrayal of seamanship skills?

It is time for each RWC Coxswain to take personal responsibility and be reasonable with their choices. The message should be positive and fearless. Each of you are a mentor to others.

Be sure your videos, photos and examples are the ‘best practice’ and not a poor imitation or a reckless struggle for others to imitate. You are each responsible for that reason. Conduct review, be honest, be humble and be liberated to make changes that pivot you away from accidents and harm.

This requires inspection, discussion and review, constant review and modernization.

Then repeat.

__________________

Posted: August 13, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

HOLDING A CERTIFICATE IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

KEEP LEARNING

I have been operating a Personal Water Craft for over 40 years now. I still do not know enough. I study every day.

I am considered the world's foremost authority on Rescue Water Craft training and operations.

I research every day. I have much I want to learn. I am a student.

Let us discuss the value of a Certificate or a qualification!

How old is your certificate?

If it is older than three years you are outdated and need to get back into a training course.

Rescue Water Craft (RWC) operations are continually evolving. So is the equipment and laws. You do not want your performance to lag behind.

Most importantly the knowledge increases daily and so must you.

Ask me how I know?

LIABILITY

If you are relying on your certificate, that is not good enough.

Your certificate is where you begin.

Everyday I see opportunity to learn. I am not comfortable with my knowledge. I need to know more.

I want to be a good mariner.

To be a professional mariner requires more than a certificate. It requires your truest humility and respect.

If you have been operating your RWC and you have had a recurring thought that perhaps something you are doing is not right, then you need to do something about that.

You need to question your risk. Do not have blind faith. Truth will set you free and support your reputation. We create our accidents.

We damage our boats. They do not damage themselves! We need to take responsibility for this and fix any problems we create.

HUMILITY IS STRENGTH

If you are afraid of asking a question, get over your fear and ask for help.

I ask for help every single day. This is where my strength lies.

If you have a question, you can ask it in the K38 Facebook group. Every question will be answered in good faith.

There are no stupid questions, only honorable ones, so do not be shy.

We have all different kinds of Operators and skill levels here. We will help one another.

We are not competitive against one another, that is not K38.

K38 is community, not division. K38 is not negative, we are helpful. We realize we owe our ancestors respect and to honor their knowledge we share what we know.

So, do not think a certificate means you are better or have something special, you are learning. I am learning. Together we are strong. Divided we damage our Rescue Water Craft community.

Seven - 'I' - Answers:

1. I hope you enjoyed this discussion.

2. I am happy to share my thoughts and knowledge with you.

3. I want you to be strong and safe.

4. I hope that you do not have an accident.

5. I would like to see your reputation grow.

6. I would appreciate it if you would support us in protecting mariner skills.

7. I hope you will do everything you can to protect good seamanship skills.

Let's do this!

Shawn / Team

__________________

Posted: August 11, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

DIELECTRIC GREASE

SILICONE BASED GREASE

WHAT IS DIELECTRIC GREASE?

Dielectric grease is a special use silicone-based grease, its non-conductive.

It is used to prevent corrosion on electrical connectors and to seal out any intrusive moisture.

You do not need to use much of the grease, and usually is sold in small sized tubes.

If you haven’t been using it yet, I encourage you to purchase a tube.

PROTECTION

Regarding the electrical current, the grease disrupts the flow which can make it good for sealing and lubricating the rubber parts that are associated with electrical connectors.

It is really good regarding high temperatures. On our Ultra LX engines, the metal components of the engine case are about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.

So, this heats up the interior of the engine compartment and also the condensation we experience from that heat exchange from the engine block.

This is another reason our Post Operations Inspections are vital to the health of the engine and electrical connectors.

GOOD STUFF!

Most dielectric grease is heat rated.

Silicone grease properties have low viscosity, so it squeezes outward with metal to metal contact making a nice coating seal.

It’s great to use on multi-pin connectors as well as the spark plugs or rubber covers.

It is best to use what the Personal Water Craft manufacturer you are operating recommends.

It can also be a skin irritant so wear the appropriate nitrile gloves and don’t touch your face while using it.

Make sure you use a marine grade Dielectric grease.

Good Luck and thank you for taking care of your Rescue Water Craft!

__________________

Posted: August 11, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

DUTY BOUND

VALUE

There is something alive within our spirit that challenges us to cause harm or to create good. However, there is inherently a greater good within us.

We choose every day what we will believe, and how we will obey those choices.

Changing course can be extremely troublesome.

Sometimes we are ready and off we go into uncharted waters, not knowing the outcome.

I would like to challenge you to adopt a ‘Water Rescue Mindset’ for Rescue Water Craft. What does that mean?

I would extend to you an invitation to get to know your boat first.

Second to be comfortable in the water you operate in.

And lastly, our third place; test your ideas and training, evaluate with a fearsome courage and make corrections as you pivot.

RESPONSIBILITY

You are not under your own dominion, we are fractions of many unified natures; some are ancestral, some are derived from immediate influences and other are cultural.

A few of us have firm belief in a spiritual calling. For sure you are called to the domain of water rescue.

This is a service oriented outreach. To be a servant towards others in a moment of peril.

Foremost if you work for an agency you are a representative of that heritage and our maritime culture.

Egotistical and Narcissist behaviors are not helpful.

Don’t think it’s not you. It is, and it is I as well, we have to admit that we can be the biggest problem on the boat. Then we can pivot starboard side to a better course.

You can choose to strive towards things that can allow you to become a creator and you will feel better about the actions you put out into the world.

We feel good when we help others, its chemical in our brain and it feeds our body, some people are not aware of this.

That is why the more goodness we generate, the better our life becomes and everything around us increases.

THE PUZZLE

We can replace bad behaviors in operations with good ones. It is as simple as wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

For some people this is uncomfortable because it is a challenge against their ego. But really it is not.

It is a lifesaving reality of professional development.

If operational experiences are chronically negative with your program or your Rescue Water Craft keeps breaking down, it is time to work out the consequences.

This will help you or your agency save money, preserve your vessel, increase safety and probably discover there are a lot more ways you can utilize your Rescue Water Craft.

Remember, the problem is us. It is not the boat or the trailer. You and I are the problem and that means we can equally be the solution.

I encourage you to continue to develop your spirit first. Because when you do that, positive changes will influence everything else you command.

Be Brave. Triumph.

__________________

Posted: August 5, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

SEEKING GREAT COXSWAINS

WHY OPERATIONS MATTER

PRESSURE
Operations matter because you have made an admission you are dedicated towards serving others.

This is important to your family, so you can continue with forward success and their dependence and admiration is a value.

The inquiry of your spirit should become the dogma of your participation.

It matters to your team mates. Their lives may depend upon your choices and behaviors.

You influence the kinetic emotional energy, either by causing discord or protecting a unified front of purpose.

TIME IS PURPOSE

The agency you represent depends upon your character and integrity, not your ego or pride.

The hierarchy needs protectors who are humble through service and strong in action.

The public is relying upon your commitment.

For that person or persons in peril they are hoping for your intervention to be swift, smooth and professional.

They do not need a problem to arise from your actions when they are struggling with their own.

You need to demonstrate boating safety skills. You operate a Rescue Water Craft, you area Coxswain.

THE DEBT OF HERITAGE

As a Coxswain you rely upon Seamanship Skills.

Your Seamanship Skills are part of our Maritime Heritage, and you my dear colleague are a Mariner.

You are not a rescuer. You are more than that.

As a Captain you represent thousands of years of boating safety from every culture in the world that moved across the seas.

Your actions are a reflection of their sacrifice and loss.

Remember who you are.

__________________
Posted: August 5, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.

COURAGE IS CONTAGIOUS

POTENTIAL EMERGES

Potential emerges at critical opportune moments. Will we seize it?

We decide what the direction will entail upon our selection.

Daily we dance with disaster and opportunity, but that which matters most is to end the day prior to sleep with some measure of calm. My life has been a complicated path, plotting it was at times secure and others unsure. And that is what differentiates into the positive and negative.

I do not speak for anyone. I don’t know your struggles but I am sure they are there, like mine.

OWN IT

When we connect or reach out to others shouldn’t it be measured with some attitude of goodness?

Should we not expect to gain something from another, but to encourage and lend a hand?

How does it work, this complexity of human reach?

ONE IS NONE

I have no answers, just a variety of experiences and I hope yours are bounding along as you desire.

My fortunes have been in those closest to me, my divinity is in the Lord above and my soul lays here wherever present moment occurs and we live, we try, then we die.

But for now, oxygen is king and I am surrounded by those venerable souls, those lucky creatures who know who they are and are willing to stand for others.

I love you so, be good my friends.

Can’t wait to talk to you again.

Be brave.

Shawn Alladio

__________________
Posted: August 5, 2019

Content Creator of Rescue Water Craft and Personal Water Craft boating international education standards: Shawn Alladio is the world’s foremost authority and leading subject matter expert. She cares most about her community and the culture surrounding the safety of event service providers and Rescue Water Craft operators, working hard and dedicated towards protecting their reputation, distributing safety information and continuing to train these amazing individuals to the highest standards of care.

__________

Have any questions? Join the Rescue Water Craft Association
and discover what your community is doing to modernize standards, safety and reduce liability!
Join the Rescue Water Craft Association

Use at your own risk. Please take a qualified Rescue Water Craft training course and maintain proper records and respect all the PWC, RWC, PPE, and gear OEM manufacturer warning labels and cautions.