Re: [Paddlewise] Inflatable PFD's

In a message dated 98-10-07 15:43:39 EDT, schade_at_guillemot-kayaks.com writes:

<<  John [Winters] mentioned the inflatable PFD's in a conversation we had
earier. I will reiterate my thoughts at the time. I don't trust things with
moving parts.  I am sure the CO2 cartridge is pretty fool proof, but it is
more likely to fail than a chunk of closed cell foam. At least with the foam a
cursory inspection will reveal any problems. You can't test the cartridge.

 [snip]

Airplane pilots may use the things but they probably need to get regular
inspections that civilians won't bother with. >>

While I intuitively agree with Nick's conclusions --- and while I won't get
between Nick Schade and John Winters on any issue ---, as a pilot, I can speak
with some confidence to the issue of checking CO2 cartridges.  It's pretty
simple to check them --- you just unscrew them from their housing and see if
there's a hole in the end.  Used to "pre-flight" my PFD a couple of times a
day --- no big deal.  'Course, that doesn't guarantee there's gas inside, but
you have to take things on faith some times.  The integrity of the cartridge
is not a major issue, and you have two cartridges in most of these devices, so
there is a certain dual redundancy thing going for you, too.  

But I agree completely about the complexity and moving parts bit --- and, in
most of the planes I flew, you didn't have your torso sitting out 'top of the
fuselage, so the limits of space applied a lot more than in a kayak.  And
toggles hang up on stuff, and straps get in the way.  I like my Lotus
"Straight Jacket", and have no problem with the flotation volume --- which is
always there!

Jack Martin
 
 
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