[Paddlewise] PFD and Lights

My current "pocket PFD" light you ask about Peter isn't designed
specifically for a saltwater environment. While doing research I discovered
than many of the "Special Forces" type small, high-lumen output lights are
typically aluminum construction and therefore subject to maintenance needs
after saltwater exposure. They are also not rated for deep submersion.
However, they are used regularly for marine infiltration/exfiltration. So,
like all my aluminum-content gear, I rinse it in fresh water after use.

I've had a few Mag Lites "corrode" over the years. It isn't a rust issue,
obviously, but the thread and switch housings tend to go if left to their
own devices (pardon the pun) and things sieze up.

As for O-ring seals, all my gear with O-rings get some routine care,
aluminum or plastic housings.

My favorite light for many years with 100% reliability was the four-cell
UNDERWATER KINETICS MINI Q40 DIVE LIGHT pre-2004 upgrade in yellow. The
light output is three times brighter than many flashlights much larger with
polycarbonate construction, waterproof, and shares AA batteries in common
with all my electronic gear (2008 and prior). It is now my backup light,
kept in my day-locker hatch.

http://www.divesports.com/Underwater-Kinetics-Mini-Q40-Dive-Light-p/uk-14010.htm

My newer PFD instantly-accessible flashlight with tailcap switch is the
INOVA T1-MP aircraft-grade aluminum model. I prefer the Surefire brand but
the INOVA was the right price, and at 4.56 X 1.00" and 3.65 ounces, a
perfect fit for the PFD narrow strap sleeve-pocket. With 200 foot range,
2-mile visibility and 4 hour burn time the INOVA T1 met my operational
requirements as a light source for warning approaching vessels. I'd
originally spec'ed out the T2, but fell in love with the smaller T1 as at
the time I was on a lightweight weenie trip. (I was down to160 pounds,
actually listening to Kirk anout his feather-light Surfskiis; my Nordkapp
was being decommissioned, and I was even buying lightweight bikes and gear.
I'm now 215 again - and on a heavy winter bike, oh well...). The INOVA was a
big change for me away from my od AAA's and typical AA powered items. It
uses 2 lithium 123A'a which I get cheap.

http://www.brightguy.com/products/Inova_T1_MP_LED_Flashlight.php

My PFD is river kayakers lifevest in theory (an ASTRAL AQUAVEST) and isn't
rigged with pockets the same way as a touring vest, but as my "creek game"
is always almost "on" in constricted marine waterways and open ocean, the
whitewater PFD works best for me: low profile, pull-over, hand-warming
fleece compartment (hols PENTAX W30 scratch-free), hydration bladder
compatible (meaning I can insert my SeaSeat in the back pouch), with
quick-release belt and fantastic 5-point adjustable shoulder straps; plus it
has the daisychain shoulder loops for said tethering of flashlights, etc.

http://www.desperate-measures.co.uk/product.aspx?prodid=934

I got one before they were discontinued. Lower on each shoulderstrap are
narrow sleeves, right over where my nipples are when I'm wearing it. The
left sleeve fits the INOVA T1 perfectly in the Cordura sleeve. In the right
sleeve (pocket) fits my GREATLAND RESCUE LAZER, giving me excellent
signaling options dual-abreast, as it were. In the right zippered side
pocket I have the ASTRAL Spectra-line and carabineer towline. In the pouch
under that I have a PELICAN MityLite 1900 with red lens cover, on lanyard.
It's an on-body backup light and also allows map reading and has advantages
for other clandestine activities.

On the shoulder-strap lash-down tap I have a black bodied PRINCETON TEC
ultra-compact Aqua Strobe attached to a deployable lanyard which allows the
strobe to be easily freed (but secure in surf) and sits at waterlevel when
deployed. I moved away from shoulder mounted strobes and difficult to reach
back-shoulder located strobe mounting options.

http://www.simplyscuba.com/ProductDetails.aspx?StockID=5980

The left side of the ASTRAL Aquavest has another medium-sized pocket sleeve
in which I keep a special short-lanyard, fairly simple SOG  multitool. It is
a small, stainless steel model with a multiple-angled plier head the fold
back into the multitool body, making for a compact unit. It doesn't have the
legendary SOG compound leverage assist, but typically I don't cut through BC
Ferries' fences when exfiltrating. SOG is military-quality all the way. I
wont go into the knives I carry.

http://www.multitool.org/sog-tools/medium-tools/sog-paratool.html

My SOG Paratool fits in a waterproof flat-bag with the lanyard and a one
hand brass latch to release the tool and bag for rapid deployment. On the
back of the QR belt I have a Northwater pigtail set-up.

My chore flashlight and reading-in-tent flashlight of choice is the
PRINCETON TEC 4-Mode EOS headlamp with a 2 to 60 hour burn time, 1 meter
depth rating, and lightweight at 2.4 ounces. It goes with me everywhere and
in my bailout bag.

I do want to eventually get a high-lumen output shore-duty flashlight and
one than can power-up to daylight a landing zone (kayak landing zone, that
is). SeaKayaker mag did a review sometime ago on some reasonable units:

http://www.seakayakermag.com/2006/Oct06/Gear_Reviews01.htm

Not powerful enough for me though. I still want a really, really high output
flashlight. Prices approach $1000.00 or more in the 1000 lumen range. I may
end up with a Mag-Lite again -- with attendant maintenance issues. You can
get conversion kits for $200.00 to $300.00 which make these cheap lights
into really good, bad badboys, such as this example of a conversion
posibilities:

http://www.blackbearflashlights.com/

Don't believe me (don't think the conversion is a badboy)? You gotta check
this out :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79Aw8nH9IrM

My preacher always tells me to move toward the light. Now, if I can just get
my wife onboard for the budget part. I've spent $2000.00 on lights already
in the last two years (cycling included).

Doug Lloyd
















> Doug wrote
>>Does anyone else carry a SureFire or similar quality >light for these
>>purposes?
>
> G'Day Doug,
>
> I used to carry a 'waterproof' PFD strobe that ran off a couple of AA
> cells and was claimed to be visible to 3km. The same company made a
> "constant" light of similar size and shape and with the same claimed
> visibility.
> Nearly all our trips have us in the water at some point so the major
> problem with them and with other lights was water leakage. I've had to
> throw away three so far.
>
> These days I keep a strobe in my emergency bag in the day hatch, but I'd
> much rather carry it as you do.
>
> It would be good to hear more about the quality of your light and your
> experiences with its care maintenance and durability. I imagine your trips
> would put it though some quite tough testing.
>
> All the best, PeterO
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