Sometimes worry about how thin some well used PFD's are - Old ones can look pretty crushed. Do they wear out? I imagine the thin sad looking ones must have lost some buoyancy. Its pretty hot over here sometimes - but haven't noticed that PFD's were particularly hot - loved the wet hat trick idea. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter O wrote: >Sometimes worry about how thin some well used PFD's are - Old ones can look pretty crushed. Do they wear out? I imagine the thin sad looking ones must have lost some buoyancy. I remember reading that PFDs do loose their flotation abilities due to UV rays. If I remember correctly, if the fabric is faded, it's very likely that the foam inside has lost some of its flotation. I've got a very old PFD that I dont' use any longer. I just keep it 'cause of fond memories. The fabric is faded and the foam inside is definately smaller than it used to be. It's very obviously smaller. I wish I could stay out in the sun and loose some size! Cheers, Dave Dave Williams paddler_at_loxinfo.co.th http://paddleasia.com Phuket, Thailand *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> Peter O wrote: > > >Sometimes worry about how thin some well used PFD's are - Old ones can look > pretty crushed. Do they wear out? I imagine the thin sad looking ones must > have lost some buoyancy. Yes, PFDs do lose their buoyancy over time as the foam ages. How fast depends on the quality and type of foam as well as the amount of use and at what temperature ranges. Heat deteriorates foam as does sun exposure. So does sitting on the PFD (Bring a Crazy Creek chair or pad for sitting if you regularly find yourself sitting on your PFD at lunch breaks, around camping sites, etc.) PFD color fading is one sign but the foam may still be good even with a faded cover. If the PFD has elastic anywhere, when the elastic loses its stretch/recovery, then the foam may likely to have too. You might want to feel the foam carefully when you first get a PFD to sense how it should feel. Later if it is a lot softer, then it may be too old. Or compare to the feel of a new PFD of the same type and brand. If you are looking for some figure in years, I would say that a PFD that is over six years old has probably beaten the dust in its effectiveness. But this may occur sooner. ralph diaz -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ralph Diaz . . . Folding Kayaker newsletter PO Box 0754, New York, NY 10024 Tel: 212-724-5069; E-mail: rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com "Where's your sea kayak?"----"It's in the bag." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
On Mon, 9 Aug 1999 rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com wrote: > > If you are looking for some figure in years, I would say that a PFD that > is over six years old has probably beaten the dust in its > effectiveness. But this may occur sooner. > It certainly does. In France there is a legal directive restricting the use of a PFD to two years, because the foam looses buoyancy. Of course nobody here follows that directive to the letter. But it is a reminder that after two years the performance of your PFD is certainly somehow diminished. In the safety inspections at the Championats de France competitions they test the PFDs by fixing a weight on it and puttint it into water. If it floats up, it's ok. Unfortunately I can't tell how many KGs they attach to a 70-Newton PFD. Reinhold Weber *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
......there is a relatively simple test whereby one may ascertain within a degree or two of certainty as to the efficacy of one's venerable and beloved pfd. Plunge into fresh water, bob up again to the surface, (if you don't bob up to the surface at all, the pfd is suspect), and wait for the flotation device to reach it's equilibrium. If the flotation device stops bobbing and the waterline is at the bridge of your nose or above, it might, just might be time to start thinking about replacing your old friend. Dave Williams wrote: > Peter O wrote: > > >Sometimes worry about how thin some well used PFD's are - Old ones can look > pretty crushed. Do they wear out? I imagine the thin sad looking ones must > have lost some buoyancy. > > I remember reading that PFDs do loose their flotation abilities due to UV > rays. If I remember correctly, if the fabric is faded, it's very likely > that the foam inside has lost some of its flotation. I've got a very old > PFD that I dont' use any longer. I just keep it 'cause of fond memories. > The fabric is faded and the foam inside is definately smaller than it used > to be. It's very obviously smaller. > > I wish I could stay out in the sun and loose some size! > > Cheers, > Dave > > Dave Williams > paddler_at_loxinfo.co.th > http://paddleasia.com > Phuket, Thailand > > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> > If you are looking for some figure in years, I would say that a PFD that > is over six years old has probably beaten the dust in its > effectiveness. But this may occur sooner. > You mean I have been eating right, exercising, and just plain working hard to keep this ageing old body the same size it was when I was young, just so it would fit in my old PFD, and NOW YOU TELL ME that that I should retire it.. This is gon'a cost you somewhere. <G> Where is that snicker bar. James *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Reinhold wrote: >In the safety inspections at the Championats de France competitions >they test the PFDs by fixing a weight on it and puttint it into water. >If it floats up, it's ok. Unfortunately I can't tell how many KGs they >attach to a 70-Newton PFD. 70 N=70 kg*m/s^2 (70 kg*m/s^2)/(9.8 m/s^2) = 7.14 kg I'm not sure if they use a 7.14 kg weight or if they compensate for the weight in the water, though. I've wondered about that myself, when the USCG says that the vest must have a bouyant force of 15 lbs. Is that supporting a 15-lb weight submerged in water, or supporting a 15-lb. force, regardless of any buoyant forces (other than the PFD's!) Shawn -- 0 ____©/______ ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Baker Brothers 0 Brews & Boats http://www.missoulaconcrete.com/shawn/ Shawn W. Baker mailto://baker_at_montana.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I'm not a big fan of highly buoyant PFDs because they make it more difficult for me to roll up. For example, I have a 15 lb PFD and a 24 lb PFD. I can roll easily with the 15lb, but have to think when setting up while wearing the 24 lb. It is even easier to roll with no PFD (I often don't wear a PFD at pool practice). The more buoyant the PFD, the more I have to fight it when maneuvering my body while under water. 15 lbs is more than I require to keep me afloat while swimming (I have often been confused with a beluga whale), so I do not care if even my 15 lb PFD loses some buoyancy, provided that it can keep me afloat. Also, any arbitrary number (such as a 15 lb requirement) becomes meaningless when one adds typical attachments, such as throw bag and rope, tow line, quick release harness, biners, and rescue/survival kit. Ultimately, one has to try out a PFD under realistic conditions and see how it performs, rather than depend on an MOT/Coast Guard certification. And then, of course, one must check both it and its attachments prior to each and every use. As far as polyvinyl chloride and ethylvinyl acetate foam PFDs loosing buoyancy over time, I'd have to say that the problem is so minimal as to be a non-issue. Quite simply, the stitching and fabric let go on old well used PFDs, forcing their retirement long before any significant foam deterioration takes place. Cheers, Richard Culpeper NEW ADDRESS: culpeper_at_tbaytel.net www.tbaytel.net/culpeper *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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