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LOL!  I walked into that one!!! 

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So,  Mr.  Bannock, tell me about your mother.   

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Put the 100 dollar bills in my pocket then take the ping pong ball out of the cup with my fingers. 

Here are a few questions I would consider asking potential trip partners.  They are not the kind of questions that one would normally think of asking but they get at something deeper than technique and tripping style.

TB

You suddenly find yourself alone in the middle of an unknown city in which you do not speak the language.  You have no money or possessions except for the clothing you are wearing.  What do you do and why?

Name three famous people either living or dead that you would like to meet.  Why?  What would you ask them?

Describe your perfect Saturday.

What are your three favorite TV shows, movies or books and why?

You have a ping-pong ball in the bottom of a cup.  The cup is glued to the table.  You have three rocks, a straw, a stapler a 4x8 sheet of ¾” plywood, a stack of 100 dollar bills, six sheets of paper and a copy of yesterday’s New York Times.  How do you get the ping-pong ball out of the cup?

My experience has been that the complainers weed themselves out. They certainly are not invited to return.

big question I would want to know is "are you a complaner?"

Nothing ruins a good paddling trip more then a grown man belly aching like a 11 year old girl "are we there yet? it's too hot, I hate mosquitos, I'm getting a sun burn, this water is warm, this food tastes like kack, I hate portaging..."

This would be the first thing I would want to know about a potential paddeling partner.

In the long run, you'll never ask enough questions to KNOW how your styles will blend before you take a trip together.  We DO know that those who post here enjoy canoeing and camping in a special part of this world, so we are all on the same basic sheet of music. I think we can put together a list of questions that will paint a reasonable picture of the individual goals/styles/methods/etc. of others. Then it will be fun to see where that leads...

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Well, I guess that I am going to bite...

The simple, general answer is the same for any emergency
situation: Assess the situation, consider the alternatives,
and act on the best alternative.

You are unconscious, but what else? Are you breathing
regularly or are you in serious respiratory trouble. What
injuries do you have (you may not have fallen on your head).
Can you be moved? Do you need to be moved? What other
conditions are to be considered (weather good or bad, bear
was just sighted on portage, you took all three paddles out
with the fall...). You get the idea.

Some situations cannot be predicted, nor planned for - you
have to react. I believe the same can generally be said for
choosing a tripping partner. A lot depends upon how much
the other person wants to go on the trip. Not many
persons would be able to resist the urge to enhance the
quality of their answers if they really wanted to trip.

I sailed out of Traverse City once on a weekend trip to
Manistee to help a fellow worker get his boat to winter
storage. Before the trip we were polite but not close.
After the trip (and a half dozen knockdowns and a blown out
mainsail) we became friends for life because we were able to
quietly depend upon each other to get out of trouble. The
point is that there was no interview for the part (he
probably would have chosen any number of others with
more sailing experience if he had known bad weather was
ahead). And we all know that boats are boats...paddling,
sailing, motoring - it's all the same.

BTW, how long is a rope?

-aj

Well Tripper, I begin to see how you got your nickname.

To answer your question about being unconscious, it all depends on how long you stayed that way.  If you didn't come-to in a reasonable time, I'd set up a camp as close as possible, and most likely, after checking for broken bones/internal injuries haul the carcass to camp.  If you didn't regain consciousness, I'd use my indian cellphone (smoke signal - 3 distinct columns of smoke - I'd be really surprised if that didn't draw a response from park rangers within 2 or 3 days) to call for help,  and stay with you till you either came-to or went belly up.    Even with a 3rd person, I'd probably do the same.  A group of four is the standard recommended  # for a wilderness trip.  One stays with the injured person, and two go for help - you aren't supposed to send a person for help alone, since if that person got hurt on the way, you are worse off than you started.  A group of 3 or more could probably haul you out to a more accessible location by building  a litter to portage you with.   On the other hand, if you did come-to, and you were injured enough to need an evac, I'd probably still do the smoke signal, and only go for help after 3 days or so. 

As far as looking for a new partner, I think I'd try to shortcut the process by posting the trip I really wanted to take, and asking if anyone else wanted to come along.  Then go to the asking questions bit to see if it might work out.

Hey Jimbo, you know the old saying. If you love someone let them go...

While it is true I used him up and tossed him aside - I saw no ring and he made the first move.

Seriously - Our trip was something both of us wanted to do sometime and neither of us would consider doing alone. I can't think of anyone I'd have rather gone width. No arguments for what, 20+ days? Not seeing another soul for half of those in a row was nice too. Snoring was an issue at first but I soon found if you hold him close he sleeps like a baby. (You need to Login or Register to view media files and links)

Tripper - To answer your second question: At some point(s) in our trip I considered that two people was not all that much safer than solo at times. On portages, we were doubling the chances of something bad happening. Basically I'd see to your immediate needs while hoping you came to so we could accesses our circumstances and develop a plan. Failing that, considering a party of two and depending on where, I'd favor looking for people who could best help me help you on my way out.

Re: New Year... New Partner:
Tripper and I traded e-mails on this idea and at some point I thought it could best be done in a new forum. That way people can modify things on their own in real time as they saw fit. It would also allow for all the varied answers people might provide.

It could also be used by members who would like to just explain themselves and offer insight into why they believe the things they do OR if they're looking to broaden their horizons by seeing how others make it work.

AND It could also be used by members who knew where and when they'd be interested in a rendezvous for the evening or a day or two.

You do get to know someone by their posts but if you are going to trust and travel with someone you barely know, you will probably trade a laundry list of questions something like this at some point:
___________________________
Where do you live?
Approximate number of previous nights spent in the BW/Q - ???>?
What lakes/routes do you know considering where you wanna go?

Your average past trips and/or preferences:
Preferred/Typical party size - ?
Preferred season - ?

What length of trips do you do/available to do:
Difficulty level - ?
Travel or Base - ?
Front or Back? (Hey... wait a minute)
Weight - ??? (Well, great differences would matter in a canoe.)
What hours do you sleep?
How loud do you snore?.... (OOPS)
How much cocktailing?
% of time for fishing
% of time for photography
Favorite type of fishing?
Fresh or dried foods?
How many fish meals in a trip?

Gear I can add to the mix:
Packs? Canoes? Stoves...?

Availability:
Dates? BWJ/R?

Requirements in a partner/group:

Contact - See links on left...
_________________________________

None of us seem to be able to follow rules much but most seem to understand the spirit. Answer whatever Q's you want. Skip as many as you want or add your own as you see fit.

I'll add a forum. (In a week or three.) We can find out where it leads together.