Jolie Smilowicz wrote >I am looking for a new PFD with LOTS of pockets on the front, where they are >easily accessible. This would be for use in sea kayaking only. John Fereeira wrote >*** a couple of years ago at a symposium I attended a "signaling devices" >session and the question was asked if anyone had ever actually had the PFD >examined while on the water. There were about 40 people in the room, and I >don't think *anyone* had ever been checked. G'Day, In the words of Gollum "What has it got in its pocketses". Strobes - EPIRB's - Flares? Occasionally there are comments to the effect that if safety gear is not on a PFD then it might as well not be carried. That may be ideal but........ John's account of testing PFD's on the water applies even more cogently to the rescue gear carried on the PFD. I've watched numerous night navigation lamps fail, sometimes due to water penetration and sometimes due to lamp failure. Then far worse two emergency strobe lights from different manufacturers fail and one of the salesmen tells me that they are water resistant not water proof - tell that to the poor soul in the water relying on it! Then I learn that the self test facility in some EPIRB's does not cover aerial connections, which might corrode, rendering the concept of self test almost meaningless (Peter Rattenbury has an interesting story in this regard). And how good is the packaging for flares after exposure to months of high humidity, rolling and surf in a PFD! I've concluded that safety gear carried by yachts and sold by Chandlers is nothing like rugged enough for kayakers, who subject their equipment to much harsher environments in terms of water pressure, shock, humidity and temperature. Can anyone tell me where reliable safety equipment for sea kayakers can be bought that is suitable for carrying on a PFD? Or is the only safe approach to design and build the gear oneself or carry the gear in hermetic bags in the day hatch? All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter wrote <In the words of Gollum "What has it got in its pocketses". Strobes - EPIRB's - Flares? Occasionally there are comments to the effect that if safety gear is not on a PFD then it might as well not be carried. That may be ideal but........ <snip> Can anyone tell me where reliable safety equipment for sea kayakers can be bought that is suitable for carrying on a PFD? Or is the only safe approach to design and build the gear oneself or carry the gear in hermetic bags in the day hatch?> I want large pockets on my PFD so I can carry things like, neoprene skullcap and gloves, 3 aireal flares just to make me legal, submersible VHF, signalling mirror, sighting compass, nose and ear plugs, 2 krill lights on lanyards, knife on lanyard, divers strobe, emergency blanket and rain shelter in the back pocket along with 3 small aireal flares individually heat sealed in plastic, etc. There's other stuff in and on it as well but you get the idea. The strobe and krill lights are diver quality and tested regularily. I still have more safety gear, flares and stuff in dry bags in my day hatch. I hope to eventually have a second bagged VHF in there as well. Your point is well taken on reliability, lights especially need to be diver quality and tested regularily. Also; I replace all batteries before a major trip. Best, Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Rob wrote: - >with 3 small aireal flares individually heat sealed SNIP >The strobe and krill lights are diver quality G'Day Rob, Jolie and Paddlewise, Well I'm learning the hard way! Buying stuff and finding its weakness! Rob's point about carrying backups in the day hatch seems right on and using a divers strobe and lights sounds exactly what I need. Hope I can find them in Oz. By the way what is a krill light? I'm sceptical of carrying flares for long periods on a life jacket even if they are 'hermetically' sealed. I've carried 'hermetically' sealed flares in a deck bag and found the seals broke down after a few months and the bag had condensate in it along with rust on the metal parts of the flare. Hermetic sealing is very hard to do - its one of the reasons beer still comes in glass bottles and heart pacemakers are encapsulated in welded titanium. Rob did you make up special bags for the flares? Also the VHF radio can be tested but how do you know if an EPIRB is OK - the self test facility doesn't necessarily tell you? Maybe there is a difference between cold and warm water kayaking as far as safety gear maintenance is concerned. Is getting soaked by surf or rolling on a regular basis (every trip) exceptional in cold climates, for safety and comfort reasons? I've no real conception of what its like to kayak in cold water though its clear from the Paddlewise posts that great care must be taken compared with conditions in New South Wales and I doubt very much I'ld tolerate regular soaking in the sort of cold water described in Paddlewise. IE maybe the water exposure my PFD is getting is excessive for carrying gear compared with normal practice in colder conditions. All the best, PeterO *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Peter wrote: <snip> By the way what is a krill light? I'm sceptical of carrying flares for long periods on a life jacket even if they are 'hermetically' sealed. <snip> Rob did you make up special bags for the flares? Also the VHF radio can be tested but how do you know if an EPIRB is OK - the self test facility doesn't necessarily tell you? Maybe there is a difference between cold and warm water kayaking as far as safety gear maintenance is concerned. Is getting soaked by surf or rolling on a regular basis (every trip) exceptional in cold climates, for safety and comfort reasons? <snip> Hi Peter, here's a link to one of the sources of info on krill lights; http://www.escape-co.com/other_lights.htm Basically I put them on lanyards, throw one over my shoulders and one down my front for nighttime paddling. They help keep a group together. I also have a divers small flashlight on my deck for, hopefully, warding off bigger boats in busy harbors:) Your point is well taken regarding "hermetically" sealed flares and such. I use a "seal-a-meal" heat process to do what I can to waterproof the extra ones in my PFD's back pockets. The back pocket is my attempt at an "abandon ship" bag, I have a tow belt around my waist so don't use a fanny pack. While nothings perfect I hope the sealed stuff will work if I find myself in the water or shore without a kayak. I also carry three flares in my PFD's front pocket unsealed for easy use. They are supposed to be waterproof and sometimes even work at the end of the year when I rotate them:) I don't have an EPIRB - wish I did. I also admit to not rolling every trip in the winter - maybe 30%. Ice-cream headaches are my only excuse:) Best, Rob. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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