[Paddlewise] PFD's - Cheap Life Insurance!

About a year ago, a group of six experienced paddlers in an out rigger 
North of Malibu, CA were swamped by an unexpected wave.  The results:  Two 
Dead.  None were wearing life jackets or dressed for immersion.  The two 
that died drowned as a result of exertion and hypothermia.   PFD's and 
dressed for the water would have prevented their deaths.

A few months ago my wife and I were on a leisurely paddle in the Back Bay 
at Newport Beach, CA.  Two men and one woman were paddling along on SOT's - 
none wearing a PFD.  In the time it took me to look away and look back one 
of the men was in the water.  For those that are familiar with the area it 
is a well protected and mostly shallow area. But, it doesn't take much 
water to drown in.  The fellow panicked and was trying to grasp the bottom 
of his boat with nothing to hold on to and going underwater between each 
attempt, the water was just over his head.  Problem was, he couldn't swim.

I paddled the fifty yards to reach him and offered help with some explicit 
instructions.  Out of his reach, and he was trying to reach me, I told him 
to follow my instructions carefully or two things would happen.  I would be 
forced to use my paddle on him to help curb his panic and we would both end 
up in the water and he would get back on his boat as I would have to 
concentrate on my own situation.  With some firm, but gentle persuasion he 
complied with my instructions and we got his boat righted and he was able 
to get back on.

His last comment:  "I've been paddling for ten years and never fallen off 
my kayak."    I can't boast of that record nor would I want to.
In his case:  Experience is what you get when you don't get what you want!

Experienced and unexperienced:  PFD's Save Lives.  To debate rather or not 
to wear a PFD is crazy.  WEAR IT AT ALL TIMES!

Fred Thomas
CA Kayaker
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