Mark asked: >I am thinking of purchasing a SOSpender inflatable PFD and I have a couple of questions about them. 1. When inflated can you comfortably paddle with them on? 2. It appears that floatation turns you over on your back (ie inflated area is on chest and behind head). Does this impede a self-rescue (ie trying to swim up on back deck)?< Rest snipped. 1. Yes, but why? Once back in your boat (assuming that's why you inflated it) just de-inflate. If you think you may have still needed the increased buoyancy after some mishap once back in the boat, perhaps a regular PFD should be considered. 2. I found my Mustang unit (similar to the SOSpender I'm sure) did cause some increased need for dexterity during self-rescue, but again, I probably would not inflate if I was reboarding. For me, the inflatable buoyancy of the vest type devices (or even the belt-pouch models) is there for an in-water durational event where high flotation is needed. In my regular Farmer John, and certainly in my drysuit (even properly burped) I float just fine for most situations with the exception of boat separation in rough water. There, the inflatable vests are awesome, but unfortunately, do impede swimming ability significantly. I find the back-stroke the only viable long-swim option, though swimming any distance at sea (or large lake) is often more laborious and exhausting than most sea kayakers realize (and at that, I'm not even allowing for hypothermia in colder water environments, which makes the situation worse of course). Safe paddling always. Doug Lloyd Victoria BC *************************************************************************** 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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