In a message dated 4/27/2005 9:16:05 AM Pacific Standard Time, kayakwriter_at_netscape.net writes: I have a demo inflatable PFD from another company I was comped a few years back in return for a a gear review. I find myself continuing to wear foam PFDs. Generically speaking, the pros and cons of inflatables are: + very low profile. + very cool (this might be really important for tropical paddling, where an inflatable you'll actually wear is argueably safer than a foam PFD jammed on the back deck). - doesn't fit as well once inflated and in the water or float you as comfortably as a foam PFD - awkward to paddle with when fully inflated (can be partially deflated and then reinflated orally if needed) - high front volume forces you higher and less stable during paddle float rescues (again, could be deflated / reinflated, but that's just one more thing to do at an already busy and breathless time.) - CO2 inflator mechanism needs constant care (any divers on the group will know the typical BC CO2 safety mechanism corrodes into uselessness unless well cared for.) - not a "passive" safety device - the user must inflate it (the water-activated types aren't practical for the wet decks of a kayak.) - once "fired," the PDF doesn't meet legal requirements until rearmed with a new cartridge. - pontential for puncture or delamination. A damaged foam PFD will still provide bouyancy. - no pockets for VHF, flares, or survival gear, no lash tabs for a knife or strobe (all things I'd especially want if I were seperated from my boat.) Bottom line for me: unless I was paddling in really hot conditions, where it was an inflatable or heat stroke, I'd opt for a foam filled unit. All the reasons you listed above (and more following) were why I chose a foam pfd that stayed on my back deck during a paddling trip to Costa Rica. At 90F+/100% humidity there wasn't a chance I would put it on. I thought about buying an inflatable, but where in CR am I going to buy 2 of those cartridges? I'm sure they have them but as I shopped for stove fuel I looked for them and did not find them. Perhaps I could have described them better in my limited spanish? They are 15 or 20 bucks here, let alone, CR so that adds a lot of money for something that is *arguably* safer. That, by the way is a statement I will debate. Why not, it's the pfd issue, isn't it? Cons: You cannot fly with the cartridges so you must locate and pay for them at your destination. You need 2 of them, in case you activate 1. An inflatable is conceivably harder to do a reenter and roll, too. Seems like an assisted rescue with an activated inflatable would be cumbersome, but I've never tried it. That is a lot of air between me and a rescuer's deck! (I posted a link at the bottom of this page to show what an activated inflatable looks like) I wouldn't want to be anywhere near surf with an activated inflatable pfd. If I fell over and bumped my head, knocking myself out, I would still need someone to pull the rip cord to activate the inflatable, wouldn't I? If you actually wear a foam pfd through the surf less water will flood your cockpit. This is because the overlap on a spray deck will block more of the water than an inflatable or no pfd. So why is it *arguably* safer? Pros:I would say, that if you were upside down and without a paddle it looks like it could get you close to the surface. A bit of hip flick and hand sculling and viola, a hand roll. Wearing an inactivated inflatable gives the user freedom to duck under surf that a worn foam pfd does not. You can get around the *no pockets* issue with a waist belted dry bag. I don't know what the technical name is but they kept our cameras, snacks, etc., dry and fairly accessible, though not as conveniently as foam pfd pockets. The best benefit of an inflatable pfd instead of a foam one on the back deck is that I can be seen wearing a pfd and not have to explain to everyone why I wasn't wearing a pfd. _http://www.mustangsurvival.com/inflatable-pfd/_ (http://www.mustangsurvival.com/inflatable-pfd/) Cheers, Rob G *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Apr 27 2005 - 10:06:53 PDT
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:31:20 PDT