In reply to climber david:
> (In reply to lumu_tit)
>
> I would always suggest wearing a B.A. if there is a chance you'll be in the water but thats me coming from a kayaking and scouting background
It's never that simple though. If we were uncompromisingly sacrificing performance for safety we'd all be top roping in full face helmets.
BAs could have there place when introducing an inexperienced group on low-level traverses but the cost rapidly outweighs the benefit in my opinion (this is of course subjective).
However as mentioned above, it's questionable that it's safer. An analogous situation is 18' Skiff Sailors: they don't all wear BAs. These are big fast sailing dinghies that are only handleable by very experienced & fit folk and they still fall over a lot. Some make the call that a BA for them stops them escaping if they get caught underwater when they capsize. This isn't the highest risk for most sailors but may well be for them, esp. if they are very good swimmers. Our could just be Aussie bravado
Likewise in climbing, if I'm cranking out a serious, hard & high solo I'd rather maximise my chances of not falling and rely on my mates if it does go tits up.
-ross