[Paddlewise] The ongoing, uninspiring PFD debate

Date: Mon, 21 Aug 2000 13:09:49 -0700
From: ralph diaz <rdiaz_at_ix.netcom.com>
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] How Would You:  Change to. . . .PFD

Ralph wrote:

<<Hot weather?  I have paddled in 90 percent humidity and 97 degree air
temperature with no wind and relentless sun beating down.>>

When was the last time that the water temperature was hotter than the air
temperature in NY?  It gets that way here at latitude 8 quite often.
Nothing, including rolling or dipping, cools you down for more than a few
seconds... if at all.  Maybe inflatable PFDs would work in tropical
conditions.

However, standard PFDs have foam inside and foam is an excellent insulator.
Foam against your body can make you overheat if conditions are right.  If
you're paddling at any speed faster than lilly-dipping, you're going to get
hot in a PFD if both the air AND water temperatures are high enough.  Those
conditions are normally accompanied by dead calm weather over here.  I see
no logical reason to wear a PFD in those conditions.  Sure, the weather can
change.  I've got a PFD with me AT ALL TIMES.  It doesn't take more than a
few seconds to put it on.

<<Surf? I guess there may be a good argument for not using a PFD when
playing in surf.  I don't play in surf.>>

I do play in the surf and I go out in storms too.  You should have a PFD in
the surf most of the time.  However, there are times when it can be
dangerous.  Those times are rare.  If you've ever been in the 'impact zone'
when really big waves are picking you up and tossing you 'over the falls'
you'd understand.  I reiterate, those circumstances are rare.

<<Don't the Tsunami Rangers who famously play in surf wear PFDs as a rule?>>

Rangers smangers.  Other than the cool name, I don't see that they're doing
anything special.  There are plenty of paddlers who can do everything that
they do... but, of course, they don't have a cool club name.

Don't the Tsunami Rangers <yawn> play in COLD water and around rocks?  Sure
they do.  They should wear PFD while in those conditions.  They should also
wear helmets at all times when surfing around rocks to protect their famous
heads.

<<Flatwater that is absolutely calm?  You never know when conditions may
change.  The sea, and even a lake, can be fickle that way.  If the PFD is
comfortable (which it certainly can be) and, if you can cool off if it hot
while wearing a PFD (methods outlined above), then why not wear it at all
times.>>

Do you wear a PFD while snorkeling?  Do you have one nearby while
snorkeling?  Gee, what if the weather changes?

This whole PFD debate is beyond boring.  If you feel that you need to wear a
PFD all the time, then wear the darn thing.  All of these monotonous 'across
the board' statements about PFDs are truly unsound given the wide variety of
conditions that exist in the watery realm.  Learn how to swim and work on
your self-rescue technique.  Use your personal judgement to access the
situation to see if it warrants having your PFD on or not.

Cheers anyway,
PFDave

Latitude 8
Southern Thailand

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