Re: [Paddlewise] Inflatable PFDs (add risk)

At 10:10 AM 12/13/99 +1100, you wrote about inflatable "PFDs":
>	
>	At first blush, any gear which reduces weight and bulk is obviously good
>news, but is the Co2 cartridge just another gadget which cannot be counted
>upon in an emergency? 
>	Has anyone relevant experience? 
>	PJ
>	Wollongong,
>	Australia 

They are very popular with canoeist on more sheltered water. For sea and
big lake kayaking, go for a PFD that for which the only thing that can go
wrong with it is forgetting to wear it. There are a number of things that
can go wrong at sea, that are beyond your control to some degree. Having a
PFD that provides independent buoyancy is best, IMHO. How do you know you
are not going to bail out by accident one day after failing to roll, and
then fail to do a re-enter and roll (and have no Paddle Float, ARRBE, etc,
because you "had" a bombproof roll) and then drift off into
unconsciousness? Unconsciousness? Yes, it can come very quickly in cold
water in your dinky-thin fuzzy-rubber suit during the winter. Then what's
going to keep your head out of the water and keep you from drowning until,
if it is at night, someone sees your strobe flashing (the one you keep on
your PFD shoulder, the one all your friends say looks too macho - so what!)? 

So you never paddle in adventurous water - well, paddle long enough and it
will find you one day. Be prepared. Take your worst case scenario, and then
work backwards to see what you can do to ameliorate the risks. You will see
it includes a buoyant PFD. Unfortunately, kayaking PFD's are poor at
keeping one's head above water, but they do work to some degree.
Admittedly, the inflatable types are better a keeping you chest up and
breathing way clear, but that's only if you get it inflated and it works,
etc. I've read enough CG reports to know that even if you do get a lot of
water in your lungs, you can still make it - but not if your face is
submerged. Be anal, be fully prepared in all ways (even carry an extra tow
rope for TomYaker). Think through you equipment choices. Read John Winter's
safety web site. Study the Tsunami ranger sea rating scale, whatever; try
to avoid risk, but you can't totally eliminate it.

And study your sea conditions and what's happening just ahead of you. I
can't believe how many people paddle in high risk ocean conditions and
don't TAKE THE TIME to properly ascertain shoal break patterns, wave
patterns, signifigant wave heights, etc, before commiting themselves.
How's that for rambling?

BC'in Ya (Maybe) 
Doug Lloyd (who just found out from his cardiologist that I am extremely hi
risk for a heart attack in the next 5 years due to significant genetic
factors beyond my control - bummer for me all you PW dudes and friends!) 
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