Re: [Paddlewise] Canadian Government Regulations- Minimum Safety Requirements for Kayaks, Canoes etc.

From: Lloyd Bowles <lbowles_at_bmts.com>
Date: Wed, 20 Jan 1999 16:15:50 -0500
>Philip Wylie wrote:
>[snip]
>It will now approve PFDs in any color and
>states its rationale: more fashionable colors may get people to wear
>their PFDs more.

What they forget is that most cheap PFD's are not only ugly, but hot, ill
fitting & just generally uncomfortable. There has been very little choice in
good Canadian Coast Guard approved PFD's.  Allowing more colours doesn't
change that & won't have much effect on use.

I bought a great fitting PFD last year but it isn't Canadian approved. I'll
use it anyway.  I expect that officials will be so happy to see me wearing
it that they will never check it.

>Also, Canada requires canoes and kayaks to carry a "heaving line of 15
>meter or greater length."

Get a throwbag.  A small throwbag from Mountain Equipment Co-op costs $35,
has 21 metres of 6mm floating rope, weighs 550g (1 1/4 pound) & is very easy
to throw.  Easy, that is, from shore but not from a canoe or kayak.
Whitewater kayakers & many canoe trippers have them for river rescue but I'm
not so sure how useful they would be offshore.

>Who is writing these regulations?


Not paddlers.

-------------
Lloyd Bowles
The Mad Canoeist
"Keep the open side up!"
http://www.fortunecity.com/greenfield/clearstreets/358/index.html


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Received on Wed Jan 20 1999 - 13:16:23 PST

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