Re: [Paddlewise] What's on ur PFD?

Sorry about that. I was editing the message when it decided to send itself
-- thrice. Here is (I hope) the complete message:

I have a Palm 5-pocket PFD. It isn't CG-approved in the U.S., but it does
have high flotation, comfort, and lots of pockets. Here's what I carry in
them on wilderness trips:

Rear pocket:
* Folded orange plastic survival bag.
* Platypus hydration bag -- very handy when paddling into the wind, as I
don't have to stop paddling to drink.
* Three emergency flares in a sealed Seal-a-Meal bag, which is attached to
a lanyard so I can pull it out by reaching over my shoulder.

Top left pocket:
* Detachable spare car key fastened to the D-ring in the pocket.
* Ear plugs in a small polyethylene container, mostly for rolling practice.
* Black grease pen for marking chart covers.
* Clip for Platypus tube (fastened to edge of pocket).

Top right pocket:
* Signal mirror in Zip-loc bag (to protect the surface), fastened to D-ring.
* Safety leash tied to D-ring, other end tied to a mini-carabiner, for
clipping to the strap on my Nikonos camera, which does not float.
* Kestrel wind meter, also fastened to the D-ring.

Bottom left pocket:
* Waterproof pen and notebook. The pen fits under a strap I sewed inside
the pocket.
* Icom M72 VHF radio. Normally I carry the radio just under the cover of
my day hatch, but when I'm in conditions where I might have to make an
emergency or other call, I move it to this pocket or to the foredeck.

Bottom right pocket:
* Silva Type 3 orienteering compass, looped through D-ring.
* Minimum-registering thermometer, looped to strap on the side of the PFD
to make it easier to reach the water.
* Never-used Gerber River Shorty knife, fastened by a cord to the same
strap, there being no accessory patches on the PFD.
* Zip-Loc bags holding a cleaning cloth for my sunglasses and spare
reading glasses for maps (the sunglasses have removeable reading lenses
for the same purpose).

Left shoulder:
* Princeton Tech strobe light, fastened by a Velcro strap which is held in
place by a short strap I sewed on the underside of the PFD's shoulder
strap. The drinking tube also goes through the Velcro loop.

If you add a pocket, it will be filled.

Chuck Holst
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