Re: [Paddlewise] PFDs

 I don't know if any of you guys will be interested in this, but there is a
technical diving manufacturer in south florida which as just come out with a
line of PFD's  AND an inflatable Divers Life Raft.

The divers Life RAft tuckes away in a small pouch between the divers back
and the back plate of the scuba harness. It inflates ( you can use a CO2
cartridge or oral if without scuba tank) to a raft you can lie down in.
The PFD  is a very comfortable device, made to be unobtrusive, until needed.
When activated, a bladder pops out of the zippered in area its held in, and
the flotation volume becomes large when inflated. When not activated, the
bladder is held in a U shape ( covered with Duralon or similar) which goes
behind your neck and down in front on either side of your chest.  It has a
small harness to keep it stabilized when wearing it non-deployed or while
inflated.  It would be very comfortable to paddle in---I could try this if
anyone wants---I dive with the guy who owns this company--- Robert
Carmichael of Halcyon.    see www.halcyon.net  But I have tried one on just
to feel it, and it was incredibly easy to forget you are wearing---I HATE
WEARING HUGE LIFE VESTS WHILE KAYAKING!!!  In fact, I won't. !

 In south Florida, where I kayak two miles out to the reefs I freedive on, I
have my freedive gear, and that will be my life support equipment if the
boat sinks, etc. Not legal, but I hate big floppy life jackets. This PFD
would NOT be a problem for me, though.
My thought is, the Divers Life Raft, as well as it tucks away, could easily
be held on the back of the PFD,  or on a fanny pack, and now you would have
enormous safety protection in the event you needed it, in a long crossing at
sea.
If anyone wants me to ask these guys if they would be willing to rig this
ideally for Kayakers, let me know.
Regards,
Dan Volker
WPB, Fl

-----Original Message-----
From: Sisler, Clyde <Clyde.Sisler_at_wang.com>
To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net>
Date: Friday, May 15, 1998 9:21 AM
Subject: RE: [Paddlewise] PFDs



>> << Actually, I recently got a Lotus Rio Grande and it's a nice bright
>>  yellow, "Aztec Yellow" I think they call it.
>>   >>
>> Stand corrected.  It didn't come up that way in my catalog.
>>
> Mine neither.  Just Black & blue & purple.  Sounds painful.  I
>just wrote it in my catalog.
>
>> For Clyde: now the only real difference is the retro tape --- but
>> <use> it,
>>
> Gawd!  I forgot the extras already!  By retro tape I assume you
>mean relflective strip.
>
>> please.  Long story on that issue some day.
>>
> Looking forward to hearing it.
>
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