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25 PFD's (Read 17959 times)
marlin55388
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Re: PFD's
Reply #30 - Mar 13th, 2010 at 12:18pm
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DB..... Smiley"expect the unexpected".
  
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solotripper
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Re: PFD's
Reply #31 - Mar 15th, 2010 at 2:42pm
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solotripper wrote on Mar 11th, 2010 at 11:48pm:
I hardly recommend this vest. Cool mesh and the large pockets allow you to carry a small fire starter kit. On sale now.
The back padding is nice even if you use a canoe seat. It's called the comfort mesh vest, #9IS-943049

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Obviously a typo error Grin  It's a great vest and I water tested it with the pockets loaded with my ditch kit. It floated me just fine, all 195#. I'm confidant it would float a much heavier guy than me. The comfort factor takes away one of the major complaints about some PFD'S.

Not going to revive the whole PFD debate. But the seatbelt comment is relevant too the subject. Like seat belts, they only work if your wearing them. Worse case scenario, they'll help the authorities identify your body Grin IF you make the decision not to wear one, hopefully you have the swimming skills to back it up? Anyone who has tried to put on a PFD once in the water, knows it's damn near impossible.
Since I travel alone, I choose to wear one anytime I'm on the water. I've learned over the years to hope for the best, be prepared for the worst Wink So far it's kept me out of harms way.
 
 
  
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Akula
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Re: PFD's
Reply #32 - Mar 16th, 2010 at 1:23am
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Suggesting the use of PFD's to canoeists / boaters / fishermen is like suggesting helmets to motorcycle riders... the ensuing debate is almost always spirited. But like bike helmets, seatbelts, and all other 'background' safety devices, chances are you'll never need to find out how good (or bad) they can be. Not wearing one is a calculated risk and a personal choice, and going either way doesn't guarantee any particular outcome.

For me, the redeeming quality is the fact that they do a pretty good job of keeping you afloat and upright all by themselves, while your mind is temporarily focused elsewhere in those critical first few seconds. That's it. After that, any number of things could still make you a statistic, but it's still one more pawn in front of Nature's queen(s), just in case she tries to cheat a little.

I just hope she doesn't try to cheat when I'm in my fishing boat, being the hypocritical PFD advocate that I am...

It's been interesting to read about people's experiences with the other types of PFD's on the market, as my only experience has been with the sub-$20 jackets that haven't changed much since the beginning of time. Perhaps this year I will upgrade my PFD along with my canoe... I think the self-inflating models are out of my price range but some of the others look more comfortable than what I've got now.

db, you've got the right idea with the painter line. A PFD and a ditch kit are good, but a way home is even better. Do you just tie it to your ankle or something?
  
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db
Web-lackey
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Re: PFD's
Reply #33 - Mar 16th, 2010 at 5:52am
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Akula wrote on Mar 16th, 2010 at 1:23am:
db, you've got the right idea with the painter line. A PFD and a ditch kit are good, but a way home is even better. Do you just tie it to your ankle or something?

I'll tie it to my ankle or wrap around my waist depending on my mood. I fell out once and had to chase it a bit.... Canoes could surely go b-bye pretty quickly in certain conditions and I need that thing. It's my ride man.
  
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solotripper
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Re: PFD's
Reply #34 - Mar 16th, 2010 at 7:47pm
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 I have a D-ring on my PFD. Next to my canoe seat, I have a short line, maybe 5-6", tied to seat and the tag end has a quick clip carabiner attached to it.

My idea is that if I go over and I'm out a good distance and the wind is pushing me/canoe from shore, I'll clip to D-ring and see if I can rudder to nearest shoreline?

Of course dependiong on distance and water temp, I might have to cut the canoe loose rather than be dragged into hypothermia Cry
Sort of a paddlers version of Ahab and the White Whale Wink
  
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woodstripper
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Re: PFD's
Reply #35 - Mar 20th, 2010 at 1:45am
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I have an inflatable that I use when sailing.  It is small and compact, and is out of the way when handling lines, grinding, maneuvering on a pitching deck, etc.  If I get heaved into the drink there, I'll be clear of the boat in a flash, and free to yank away at the inflation tab (if conscious!).

But I like to foam pfd for canoeing for all the reasons listed above, and a few more.  I've had a couple of unexpected tumbles from a canoe.  In each case, it was the other guy's fault (of course!), and I was still clutching the canoe.  Actually, I was still "in" it as it rolled over or swamped!  Having it blow away wasn't a problem.

The added insulation is a plus, as is the butt pad for sitting on the rocks.  It makes a good napping pillow too.  Most of all, during the peak season I go swimming each day.  Having the pfd on I can swim with boots, feel secure, not get tired out, rinse out articles of clothing, etc.  I can't imagine how I could do all that with an inflatable riding up in my face!

WS
  
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mastertangler
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Re: PFD's
Reply #36 - Apr 15th, 2010 at 8:31pm
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mastertangler wrote on Mar 11th, 2010 at 1:37pm:
Mad Mat's question as to the legality of an inflatable in the park is quite relevant and had never crossed my mind. I assumed that since U S coast guard wears them and offshore sailors use them it would not be an issue. I have sent an inquiry to the park and will post the results when I get an answer. Mat, if you have saved me eventual grief how do you like your steak? ( or pasta prima vera if your one of those veggie types)


Not sure if anyones really interested BUT I did say I would post the results about the inquiry concerning inflatables when I got the response back from the park.

They are in line with Transport Canada and have no special regulations. What ever is legal country wide is also acceptable in the park. There is one hitch however, it must be worn to be considered a PFD. Can't be just laying there.
  
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gfy_paddler
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Re: PFD's
Reply #37 - Apr 21st, 2010 at 6:57pm
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ARe we still allowed to talk about wearing a pfd?  Many thoughtful comments on the issue and I feel compelled to chime in.  A few years ago we went in the drink on the fattest part of Basswood lake.  It was a SW wind and we should not have tried to cross.  Anyway, here is one more reason to wear it. 

If you go over and you are not wearing your PFD, the guy in your canoe who IS wearing your PFD will have to risk his life to save yours.  My partner was sitting on his, and in my efforts to make sure he got it on and didn't drown during the process, we both lost our paddles.  We stayed with the canoe until it drifted us into a reef in the very center of the lake.  We sat there and watched the inevitable thunderstorm approach wondering how the hell to get to a safe place without a paddle.  So, we did the only thing we could think of and hopped in the canoe and let the wind push us swiftly back toward North bay where we mercifully found a lee and were able to hand paddle the boat to shore. 

Wearing your PFD will not only save your own life, but it also will not needlessly endanger the life of your partner.
  
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