That's one slick pfd MasterT!  If I had the cash.

Agree with the re-arm kit & short trips.  If you pop it, leave it popped for the remaider of the trip.

I went from the pull type inflatables to a hydrostatic (water pressure required). The Mustang survival hydrostatic inflatable meets coast guard requirements for an offshore pfd. With 35lbs of flotation you should be in good shape.

I find it hard to tolerate a regular PFD and likely would not wear it. As it is now I don't feel right until I hear that "click" when I snap the mustang  in place. After that I forget I have it on, even on a hot day. On portages it's compact and I stow it inside my seat.
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Yes, I know it's a bit pricey but for me it helps to make my tripping experiences better (as in more comfortable) and safer.

I have never really considered a re-arm kit a requirement for short term trips to the Quetico. Do something more extensive and it would probably be wise to have one. If you struggle with wearing a regular PFD consider the Mustang.

solotripper wrote on Sep 20^th, 2010 at 2:31pm:

Agree.  Unless it automatically inflates.  Who's going to pull the rip-cord if you knock your head?

Quote:


I'm not confidant a inflatable belt PFD would give the same benefits of a vest type PFD, but for those who find the vest types cumbersome or want to work on their tan, a little extra buoyancy is better than nothing.

The wife said he came up 3x before going under. This tells me he was a fighter. While you can never be certain in situations like this, that little extra buoyancy might of made the difference between a close call, and a tragic but likely avoidable drowning  

What a tragic story indeed. I find it odd that none of the reports given said there were other people there. They made it sound like he was alone and somehow pressed a button to activate the beacon.

What an awful experience for everyone involved.  It's so sad people won't wear their life vests.

Just in case you ever see me in a canoeing photo without a life vest on, it's because I wear an inflatable belt preserver.

wally wrote on Sep 17^th, 2010 at 8:54pm:


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Ontario Provincial Police have recovered a Duluth man’s body from a lake in Quetico Provincial Park.

Darrell Cellers, 65, apparently drowned after his canoe overturned during windy weather on McAree Lake. The lake is about 25 miles north of Ely, across the international border.

The OPP began its search Thursday after learning that an emergency GPS locator had been deployed in the area. Cellers’ body was found late Saturday morning.

So he's still not recovered?
Wonder how long they look?

The wife said he always wears one when he is on the water. She said he had taken it of for some reason and didn't say why.Possible he may have forgotten to put it back on. She still had hers on when it overturned and she was holding to the canue and the current pulled her out into the lake.

Preacher wrote on Sep 14^th, 2010 at 6:32pm:


Ageed on the reporting.  Reading through the lines though, if they were dragging for the body, meaning that it was under water, he either:

1) wasn't wearing a working PFD.
2) became entrapped under water.

It would be nice if the reporter actually investigated enough to determine if it was easily preventable by wearing a good PFD or not.

I agree that we all must wear a good, functional, PFD.  I would not dare to venture out on a lake without one.   However, we don't know for sure if this man was wearing his or not.   At any rate, I have been looking at pictures from canoe trips for years and I always make note of when someone is not wearing their PFD.  And surely enough, more time than not, people are out in the middle of the lake and paddling with their PFD used as a back rest or just not wearing it for whatever reason.  This is a shame, akin to not wearing a seatbelt while driving.

My heart and sympathy goes out to the wife and family of this poor man who perhaps made a careless mistake that cost him his life.