[ckinnan]

>I definitely would have felt safer knowing there was a drone

The presence of drones will likely encourage people to take more risks in rough surf. The same thing happened with car air bags-- when they were introduced, people with airbags drove more aggressively, negating the safety benefit.

[wlesieutre]

More background on this behavior: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Risk_compensation

[aynsof]

That was a conversation we were just having today. We definitely went out further than was safe, simply because there were lifeguards on the beach. I've been to plenty of beaches without lifeguards and been far more risk-averse.

It wasn't a conscious choice. It was only something I became aware of once I'd had that dangerous experience in the water.

Risk management is a funny thing.