Re: [Paddlewise] PFD Zippers/whistle

Try using thin cotton kite string or a rubber band to a loop instead of a
shoe lace.  Something easy to break.  When you go upside down  gripping a
paddle ,you, the deck, the paddle are going down and the whistle is going
up.  Plus the deck, you and the paddle are rotating providing a twisting
action for anything floating up.  My pump had 1 foot of 1/4 inch line and it
snagged my ankle.  I repeated the dumping several times and it found its way
around my ankle EVERY time.  Assume, when going upside down, that one's IQ
is reduced by at least three quarters.  It may not be "panic" but the simple
actions of unwrapping a line or sliding a paddle under the boat from the
other side may be beyond the capabilities of an otherwise Mensa candidate.

I've never seen the issue of loose lines brought up.  Perhaps my pump tie
down was an extraordinarily bad idea.  But I now am a believer in light
string and rubber bands (stuff I can easily break) for that sort of duty.

What can go wrong, will (but only once)
Bob

> My very-very basic front-zip PFD doesn't have any pockets, so I tied a 1
ft
> nylon shoe-lace to a whistle and sewed the other end to the outside edge
of
> fabrique at the neck opening about 3" above the end of zipper and 2-3"
aside
> it.  (At the edge you can sew through 2 layers of fabrique).  Lace is
short
> enough not to cause any danger, and long enough to pull whistle to the
> mouth.  Sometimes (when I walk) it is swinging and dangling around, then I
> simpy throw it inside into bosom or through the armpit.
>
> Alex.



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