Re: [Paddlewise] What's in the PFD?

Just cramming your kayak and PFD with safety/survival/rescue gear obviously 
isn't the answer. The real answer begins with a logical and suitable 
question. What is your guiding philosophy? That's always an excellent, 
preliminary question to ask. You stated your guiding philosophy as: "things 
to communicate, fix folks, boats or stuff on the body". This means you have 
actually thought through your choices and equipped accordingly. My 
philosophy is getting back in my boat, so what will help most, and with 
backup if I don't achieve that objective. John Winters said their is no 
panacea to ignorance. He's correct. But there is preparedness. That is as 
close to a panacea as I know for being out in a capricious water 
environment. Preparedness, of course, including so much more than just 
equipment.

For long paddles in rough water, I'll take the water and Tums any day over 
the other gear. :-)

Doug


> Rob,
> I'm not trying to be a SA but does your PFD float with all that  stuff
> attached to it?
> -mike
>
>
>
> Mike,
>
> It floats just fine. Think about it, what does a bandaid weigh? The 
> heaviest
> item is the liter of water that weighs 2 pounds, followed by the 1  pound
> radio. Many of my friends carry a hydration pack with 2 liters of water 
> that
> weighs more than my whole PFD kit in the first place. Everything else is 
> is  a
> pretty thin dime. As Doug points out:
>
> *I guess when it comes to PFD pockets, it's a llitle like "build it and 
> they
> will come." Or in this case, give 'em pockets, and they will fill them.
> That's
> okay though - at least you are thinking about the other guy as well  as
> yourself, with your PFD carried items.*
>
> That is largely my point. My PFD kit accomodates others and their
> philosophies without anyone really knowing or caring or debating. No one 
> complained
> when they took the Tums on the water and their seasickness eased. Nor  did 
> the
> group have to deal with the impending train wreck as a result of not 
> addressing
> initially minor discomforts. An anti gear philosophy cannot  adjudicate 
> well
> for that.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Rob G
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