All this 'right wing' survival of the fittest talk. Like everything, there is a compromise.
Sensible freedoms, and reasonable rules make a lot of sense.
Why shouldn't a country take some reasonable steps to mitigate against foolhardy travellers costing them rescue dollars ? Sure, dedicated contrarians can escape the net, but we cant tie people to a wall.
Likewise, whats this 'nanny state' moaning ? Most rules have been created as a result of public demand, and public good. Ask an 'nanny state whinger' what it is they actually are moaning about, and see how little a deal it really is.
The other night on TV, this guy building a big Mcmansion was having a moan about restrictive government charges while rebuilding after the bushfire disaster locally. When questioned, it boiled down to about $2000 of apprentice levies and special studies to approve his build in a bushfire prone location. About .5% of his huge build, that will probably require some long suffering volunteer to spray with water in 30 years.
Likewise, EPIRBS are an efficient way to locate the unfortunate few who get nailed by unforeseen weather or circumstance.
Long live the 'reasonable man' !
So, in addition to wearing a PFD, you're going to fit your kayaks with lights, flares and an EPIRB, right? After all, it's reasonably foreseeable that you might run into problems and need rescuing....
PDW