[Paddlewise] backpack, flares on PFD

Hi!
     I took a cold weather survival class (kayaking) a couple of weeks ago 
and have a question for this group.  
    When I practiced the "hug" or "group hug" in the water, to conserve heat 
and prolong survival time, I kept drifting up and ending up higher than the 
person I was with, which tended to overbalance me to the front and, poor result 
for the other person, push them underwater.  Since this was practice, we 
simply let go or actively repositioned. My drysuit was well burped.
    I have been thinking about this and just realized that I carry a PFD 
backpack with a package of flares in it (in plastic with air), and lightsticks in 
(air filled) plastic wrappers.  Also, the pad on the back of the backpack 
seems to be minicell foam.
    In the opinion and/ or experience of this group, would this cause enough 
buoyancy to push (float) me forward?  If so should I consider removing this 
backpack ASAP if I'm alone, in the water and unable to self rescue? Seems to me 
it would tend to float ME in the face down position as I became less competent.
    Any suggestions to put rocks in the backpack will be contemptuously 
ignored.
     Thanks!
           Pam in Washington State
   



************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com
***************************************************************************
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/
***************************************************************************