why don't people wear their PFD's? and what can be done about it.
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Posted: Sep 20, 2010 - 09:33 PM
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Posted: Sep 21, 2010 - 06:30 PM
I finally had to go back to work...sitting out a typhoon in Hongkong tonight, or whatever the hell time it is back in the world.
Scott, I'm not endorsing the Stohlquist brand, they may or may not be any better. That just happens to be what came with a used whitewater kayak I bought for the kids. I found it to be superior to the waterski vests I was using. Comfortable, has a mesh pocket in front, doesn't get in the way of the hook, & actually has some righting ability. I don't think they meet the Coast Guard standard for righting an unconscious person, but they have more flotation material in the chest area than the back, & are more stable in the face up position.
I'm an ex competitive swimmer & lifeguard, & nobody gets on my Cat without wearing one. It is free life insurance, I'm cheap, I like free!. Stories are legion of people going overboard & dying because they couldn't be found quick enough. In rough water it is amazing how hard it can be to see a dark head on an overcast day at any distance. It only takes one mouthful of water going down the wrong tube to quickly spiral into a drowning. With a knock on the head, ribs, cracked wrist,or any other injury that impedes your previous amazing swimming ability, they just make keeping a clear airway so much easier.
If you still think they suck, at least make it easier for the Recovery people to find your body. It won't sink, & your family will be ever grateful that they didn't have to identify you after 3 days lying on the bottom,what with crayfish & all nibbling at your soft spots, marine worms crawling out, & your already overweight carcass a terribly bloated putrid mess. Also don't discount the positive effect you will have on the environment by saving the CG time, fuel & money spent "dragging the bottom".
edited by: Edchris177, Sep 21, 2010 - 05:33 PM
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Posted: Sep 21, 2010 - 09:45 PM
This made me double check my PFD...go figure right?! Mine is a type V, but performs as a type I per the tag. None of the others that I use (even in thge same brand) do that.
You are correct...dam#$it
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Posted: Sep 21, 2010 - 09:56 PM
Its against the actual question here...but I can tell you why I do wear them! One of my first experiences on a cat was in winter. I was in high school and full of...stupidity. We (all 5 or so) were on a N5.0 in the middle of a large body of water, and since it was cold - I wore jeans. The only flotation device aboard was a half empty gallon of Vodka. I got knocked off half soused in jeans and had to tread water for what seemed like forever...I was quite close to drowning when the equally soused buddies figured out how to tack. I was to lucky enough to live to learn. PFD's and beachcats are like peas and carrots to me now :)
