I liked what Yellow Bird said about teenagers and young 20's will probably outgrow being foolish. I think most of us can remember several times when we were young, where good luck or the grace of God saved us from an early grave. To describe those deaths that do happen to "defective genes" is a rush to punitive  judgment, which might be fun for the mean spirited, but lacks the balance that years ought to have given.
As far as when or if to wear my PFD, that was decided several years ago. I swim alright but not well with my clothes on, my real talent seems to be sinking. I was fooling around in my canoe and the next thing I know we do some sort of flip flop floop and I'm looking up through several feet of ugly dirty water thinking "this is awful stuff to be drowned in" and then the PFD pops me to the surface like a cork. It was love at first coughing choking breath of fresh air. The only time it's off me is when used as a pillow at night.
Best Wishes, Rob

Swimming with a PFD is awesome!  Turn it upside down, put it on like shorts!  You can just sit out there & bob around.  Toss a ball!  Bring the fishing rod and get towed around!  It's awesome, I highly recommend it.

The only time I no longer wear a PFD is in my neighbors pool   A fancy one isn't needed, just one that will work for you and be comfortable enough to keep on. I second the "You will actually feel awkward without it" by Mastertangler. When I soloed last year, I was so used to wearing it I often forgot to take it off after I had gotten to camp, set it up, and started fishing from shore

mastertangler wrote on Aug 3^rd, 2011 at 2:15am:

Folks should take heed.  It's exactly this sentiment that murmurs in the back of my mind whenever someone suggests there's a time to not wear a PFD while paddling.

Glad you're still kicking & on your terms!

Bill,
drop the dough. You will always have it on and never know until you need it. You will actually feel awkward without it. If someone would of told me I would of ended up in the water on a flat calm day I wouldn't of believed it. Having it on was the difference in me kicking the boat to shore on my terms.

Thanks for relating your experiences DD and PK. It should serve as a flag for the rest of us. I just heard recently that more people perish from heat than from storms (tornados/hurricanes). That surprised me.

We agree solo....just letting my inner Dorkus shine.

wally wrote on Aug 1^st, 2011 at 8:47pm:

  I stand corrected Wally
I'm cheap, but I'm sure you'd agree that saving a life ( mine/yours) trumps saving even a considerable sum on a traffic ticket, eh?

solotripper wrote on Aug 1^st, 2011 at 6:53pm:


My seatbelt comes in handy "after the fact".   Copper turns around...seatbelt goes on!   I think MN is up to about $120-150 for no belt.

Quote:


I'm glad you like the vest, but my take is that like a seatbelt it's only good worn before you have a problem.
Let's assume for a minute your paddling on a calm day, maybe across a big expanse of water. For whatever reason you find yourself in the drink.
Even without wind and waves, try and put that PFD on
Try it yourself. Go to the nearest lake, dump your canoe and try to put that vest on. You'll be surprised how hard it is to do. Now imagine a little breeze pushing it out of your reach? All of a sudden your a long way from shore with a swamped canoe and wondering if you can right it or push it to shore? Maybe you can, but having a PFD keeping you buoyant would mean more energy left for getting you back in your boat.
On the hottest days, I'll leave the PFD unzipped but waist straps snug enough it can't come off. I'd sooner canoe solo buck-ass naked wearing my PFD, than go without.
Fortunately I've never been that warm and you guys can rest easy on that

solotripper wrote on Aug 1^st, 2011 at 3:33pm:


Hi, ST.  I actually bought this vest based on a recommendation I think you provided last year.  It is quite comfortable and I like the velcro pockets for a small ditch kit.  Still, on most paddling days, I don't wear it.  Now, it is right behind my seat should anything go awry.  When the wind and waves are up, I'll put it on.  It is indeed a good, inexpensive, lightweight pfd for canoe trips.