RE: [Paddlewise] Kapok

I thought Kapok was the stuff found between the ears of most law makers,
legislators, bilingual regulation writers, and over-zealous law enforcement
providers. I'm sorry, but I also don't know what the French word is for
Kapok.

DL

PS Rob, of real concern is the state of our rivers and watersheds. Those in
a governing position who effectively control stewardship, unfortunately,
also have waterlogged buoyancy material between the ears in many cases:

http://wwf.ca/conservation/freshwater/riversatrisk.cfm

Doug Lloyd

 

Craig wrote:



>>>>>> In a similar vein, some 30 years (or so, but who's counting?)
lifejackets
> were not called PFDs and mostly filled with kapok which is a natural
> substance obtained from certain trees that can get waterlogged and lose
> buoyancy over time when exposed to water.
>

You would think that using a substance which can become waterlogged as the
primary buoyancy for a device that is intended to be used in water might
negate some of its useful properties. You would, apparently, be wrong. At
least in bureaucratic terms. Testing has shown that it retains buoyancy
"long enough". Since these things are all but unreachable on most ships I
suppose the question is moot anyway.<<<<<<<<<





I believe Kapok is the commercial name for the fluff from a cattail going to
seed. I believe that in Kapok PFD's the Kapok is contained inside a sealed
vinyl pouch (at least when they are new). The Type I (May West) PFD's are
usually stored under the seats on ferries.
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