Re: [Paddlewise] Homer Alaska & Dry Bag attached to PFD

From: Michael Daly <michaeldaly_at_rogers.com>
Date: Mon, 4 Feb 2002 14:21:52 -0500
From: "Rev. Bob Carter" <revkayak_at_mtaonline.net>

>     Also I have sewn on to the back of my PFD a small survival kit (Yes I
> know this is  a no no but a coast guard friend told me once he would rather
> see me prepared then dead) Sewing it on to the PFD means if I flip and can't
> get my emergency bag out of the boat that I will have some survival gear if
> I make it to shore. This kit contains basically the same thing as my
> emergency bag except in smaller quanities.


I think this is a good approach and am in the middle of making a similar
PFD micro-backpack.  

Serratus makes a couple for their line of PFDs.  
(http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_listing.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=251417
Scroll down to the Flak River Fountain and Optional Pocket)
These are not sewn onto the PFD, but clip into the existing webbing.
The one I'm making is a little different, but hooks onto the shoulder
strap webbing and towing strap of my Lotus PFD.

The key is to make them small and flat.  I haven't tried it yet (since
it's still half constructed), but I doubt it will seriously affect my 
layback rolls (at least not one I'm likely to use in a real life 
situation - as opposed to those I do fooling around).  This makes it
a tad preferable to the hip pack (or fanny pack) style rig in a past
issue of SK Mag.

Three advantages of the clip-on approach - you haven't violated any 
CG rule, you can take off the pack without removing the PFD and no
strings attached.

My micro pack is like the Rev. Bob's - essentials for land and
rescue - water purifier + rolled up ziplock Platypus bag, matches in
a waterproof case, magnesium striker, mylar body bag, orienteering
compass, flares, dye marker (even works on snow) mirror etc.

Mike



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Received on Mon Feb 04 2002 - 11:20:07 PST

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