I use an inflatable pfd, Stormy Seas V100, shown here: http://www.stormyaustralia.com/pfd/v100.html It's more comfortable than any foam pfd I have worn. It doesn't provide floatation without inflation, but foam pfd's, at least those known as pfd type two and three here, don't hold your head above water. When inflated, mine is a pfd type one, which does hold your head above water. It can be inflated by mouth or the CO2 cartridge. I haven't found it impedes practice rescues. If inflated, it aids a re-enter and roll. I had the maker add a few pockets and lash points, so I can get enough junk on it. The CO2 cartridge doesn't need "constant care", just replacing every year or so. I rinse the pfd in fresh water after paddling, if possible. A fellow paddler here suffered a fine surf thrashing over Easter, needing a back deck rescue out of large surf. He went out and bought a pfd-1 inflatable after that. Cheers, PT *************************************************************************** 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 - 17:06:17 PDT
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