Matt Broze wrote: > ...snip... > The BACK UP uses a CO2 cartridge and it is even a better device than you > described. No need to exit the kayak or put it on the paddle, just pull the > rip-cord and use it to right yourself. No pumping out required either. > almost as good as a roll. I carried the BACK UP in my store and liked it, > but the $129 (introductory price) and the $10 cartridge costs made it a very > slow seller. The BackUP also has the rigging to use as a paddle float, should you want to use it that way (although it is unlikely that this would be necessary). As for the price, I am a bit surprised that this disuades people given how superior it is to any reentry technique. I have practiced with the BackUP extensively, and it is VERY easy to use. Most of the people I paddle with carry one on their deck, including those with good rolls. Unless you are 100% certain that your roll will never fail you, I would recommend carrying a BackUP. There is one minor modification I recommend--tying off the cord that holds the clip so that the clip is closer to the bag. This makes it easier to carry the inflated bag on the back deck. (Otherwise the cord is too long, and the bag drags in the water.) I have a D-ring just behind my cockpit to which I clip the bag when it is fully inflated. As for Matt's concern about pulling the inflation cord after inflating the device manually, I believe that all such devices are designed to be able to tolerate the maximum pressure that can be delivered by the cartridge (even when inflated). I have tested this with my inflatable PFD and BackUP, and both of them handled it without any apparent problem, although as Matt notes, they do become quite "firm". Dan Hagen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced/forwarded outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Fri Sep 08 2000 - 09:58:58 PDT
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