http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Northeast....ap/index.html
New yorkers want to drink and swim.
As a former lifeguard in an upscale community, who has delt with drunk people. I am shocked that people even want to consider the idea.
I've seen what I would call good swimmers get completely disoriented with their face in the water.. later find out they were sipping a cocktail for the 4th of july, or just for fun (they were of course ejected once I found out)...
Having seen how water disorients people, ESPECIALLY when intoxicated just a bit. (I didn't even know until later)....
and it's a documented fact that alcohol for whatever reason, even in small doses tends to disorient people in water (think it might be inner ear related, don't know though).
Then throw in the ocean with waves and other sea fun.
I propose the following:
If a victim is found to have had any trace amount of alcohol in their blood (any amount, even if well below legal limit). The lifeguard has 0 liability, under any circumstance, with no exceptions including but not limited to gross neglegence.
As it is, the liability lifeguards endore personally is rediculus, and keeps many away from guarding (if you mess up, you can personally be sued, or even if there was nothing you could have done in many states). As a result. Many leave once that's mentioned in certification classes.
I would never want to be in such a sitation. I know what it does. I've been taught by the red cross what the risks are.
Anyone else think this clause is required?
I don't think anyone would want to guard in such a situation. Beaches can be dangerious enough with understaffing, long hours on guard, poor visability, bad condition in the water... now throw this in.
I say legalize drinking in certain places. Such as central park (not on the streets, or city hall steps, or in front of schools, museums, etc.). But make fines for "public intoxication" (being "drunk" in public). That way responcible people can a drink or two at an evening concert. But the drunks who are disruptive, obnoxious, and possibly even dangerious end up with mandatory 5 year sentences.
Would lower crime too. Make the parks safer, and more enjoyable for the responsible people who want to enjoy a drink or two.
But mixing alcohol and water is like drunk driving. It's asking for trouble. I think these people are on the same level as the "legalize drunk driving" crowd. Just nuts.
The most moderate of them being the well known:
http://www.lewrockwell.com/rockwell/drunkdriving.html
I think drinking should be done responcibly, and the laws, should require that. Drink and enjoy yourself. But don't act responcibly, and go to jail. End of story. It's to dangerious to keep giving "warnings". Remember, most crimes where alcohol is a factor is commited by a "repeat offender", meaning they have a DWI, DUI (depending on your state), or have been arrested for a domestic dispute while under the influcence before.
Have fun, but screw around, and let bubba screw you jail. It's not like you get drunk "accidentally". You know what your doing. So lets hold people responcible for their actions.
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