Re: [Paddlewise] How Would You: Change to. . . .PFD

In a message dated 8/19/00 10:53:57 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
cramer_at_coe.uga.edu writes:

< You may have a point. Feel free to tell me under what circumstances a sea
 kayaker out of his boat is safer without a PFD than with one. I am having
 trouble coming up with any I think are reasonable. >

   Once again, we've already been through this all before some time ago and I 
know there is nothing I can say or do to try and convince those of you who 
have already closed your minds on this issue. But for the rest of you 
thinking folks who might not have been around in the previous discussions I 
will give you a couple of typical scenarios where I chose not to wear my pfd.
   I grew up body surfing the waves of Southern California. I am quite 
skilled and comfortable swimming in large waves. I am now an avid kayak 
surfer. Now please understand that I never come out of my boat. But in the 
event that I did end up swimming in large surf I would feel MUCH safer 
without a pfd on. The pfd would impede my ability to dive under said waves 
leaving me at the mercy of the nastiness on top. Please understand that this 
applies to me. Certainly someone who does not have any experience swimming in 
surf should probably be wearing a pfd.
   I also enjoy spearfishing from my kayak. I will use my boat to transport 
me to where I want to be, and then jump out and look for fish. When I'm done 
I'll climb back into the boat and paddle to another reef. Certainly I'm not 
going to be wearing my pfd while I spearfish. And if I'm dressed for the 
water and already jumping in and out of the boat in order to swim around, 
what possible benefit do I hope to realize from replacing my pfd each time I 
climb back into the boat? I don't think I'm any safer in this situation with 
a pfd on then I am without it.
   As far as my kids are concerned they are required to always wear a pfd in 
the kayak. And I always wear a pfd when I'm kayaking with my kids. My point 
is, and always has been, that there are SOME legitimate reasons for SOME 
individuals to pass on wearing a pfd while in a kayak. It's an individual 
decision that I have given a great deal of thought to and I should not be 
condemned or ridiculed for my choices simply because you choose to live in a 
black and white world.

Scott
So.Cal.
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