RE: [Paddlewise] Darwins theory of the PFD debate

> dldecker_at_se.mediaone.net wrote:
> > 
> > If you wear your PFD you might not drown or if you do you 
> body will be
> > easily recovered . If you live your genes are at a better 
> chance of being
> > passed on
> 
> > If you don't wear your PFD you stand a good chance of 
> drowning and or your
> > body not being found for several days and you gene pool 
> belongs where it
> > belongs, crab food.


  One thing that has kind of struck me as strange during this debate about
whether or not to wear a PFD is that no one (as best I can recall) has
mentioned how easy it is to simply remove a PFD if you suddenly find
yourself in a situation where it has become a detriment.  I'm not talking
about a situation like being hung up on a sweeper or anything like that, but
rather about open water or even surf.  If a PFD is a hindrance in that type
of situation I'd bet that most folks could shed their PFD in less than 30
seconds.  

  My point is that IMO it's better to have it and be able to get rid of it
than to not have it and really need it.

  As always, it's best to try things for yourself and use the methodology
that works best for you.  I'm a bit of a klutz and have found that trying to
put on my PFD in water conditions that could cause me to capsize, while
holding on to my paddle and kayak, is pretty tough.

  The issue is one that every person needs to decide for themselves,
hopefully rationally and not based on ignorance or even worse - bravado or
stupidity.

  I'm in total agreement with Rick Sylvia's comments about education and
setting a good example - it's a concept that I believe in strongly.  Someone
someday might benefit from something one of us "taught" them as we walked by
them at the boat launch while wearing a PFD.  Maybe - and maybe not -
doesn't make a difference for me - I do it because it _might_ make a
difference.  I choose to wear a PFD all the time.

  For WW paddling there isn't any option as far as I'm concerned - just do
it.  In open water I've never needed a PFD and short of being knocked
unconscious really have a hard time imagining a situation where it would be
necessary, but I do it.  No skin off my nose and I sweat like a horse any
time I'm paddling and it's over 60F anyway, PFD or no PFD it doesn't matter.

  Besides, without that PFD where are you going to stash your knife, flares,
compass, whistle, and that all important snack?

  In my mind the issue isn't really so much about PFD's per se, but rather
about education of the paddling public in general - how many of us have read
almost every year about someone who died while paddling in shorts and a
t-shirt, without a PFD, by themselves, etc, etc?

Dave Seng
Juneau, Alaska



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