RE: [Paddlewise] PFDs

Hey Craig,

Hope you don't think I was calling out Brad with any comments I made
recently. Brad is in a no touch zone as far as I can tell, though it would
be interesting to actually try and have a serious conversation with him -
like the meaning and purpose and origin of life. Then again, he'd probably
roll out his dry wit and finish off with some absurdly abstract and humorous
comment, which come to think about it, would pretty much sum up human
existence. :-)

As for PDF wearing, there are always counterpoints in any good debate, but
most of us already know which side won the debate. I think it would be more
fun to have the debate in open water though, rough seas, all interested
parties from Paddlewise present. Those with a no-wear PFD disposition, of
course, will not be wearing a PFD. Let's see how much volume one can get
with a mouthful of cold water. Okay, that's adolescent, sorry. Hey, you
started this Craig...

As for clarity, I think Pam's previous post was about as good as it gets.
Definitely mature and more balanced from a moderate risk exposure
perspective from what I read and have seen her post in prior threads.
High-risk and low-risk paddlers represent less of a good sampling for
comment comparison.    

DL

Craig said:

As Kruger says, Bradford keeps his tongue firmly planted in his cheek at all
times. Don't turn his words against him.

I can see two very valid points FOR wearing a PFD:

1. Gear Caddy. Without a PFD your VHF will stay with the boat; wheverever it
goes. No good place to tie a knfie, compass, watch (don't think a watch is
useful in a kayak? Hmmm.), etc. My drysuit has no pockets.

2. Empathy for the risks the others will be taking should you get into
trouble.

But for every point for there is a counterpoint. I doubt if anyone has
really changed their minds here but it's certainly been interesting.

I will continue, almost certainly, to carry - but probably not wear - a PFD
when paddling in the summer here on my lake when paddling solo (which is
almost always). I need no equipment (no one around here knows what a VHF is
for anyway except maybe weather reports) and I'm close to shore almost
always. But I do know when wearing one is smart.

My regular paddling pal Pam has a rule about gearing up the same way every
time so that she keeps to a routine. I laughed at her in her gear on Lake
Washington with the weather in the 80s and the water in the 70s but
still.... it's a valid point.

Doug's point is, to me, one of the best. He feels ready when he's geared up.
There is a lot of psychology in high risk sports and it can be important to
feel ready.

Really, for so many years we had either no knowledge of gear or no proper
gear was available. I paddled in jeans, wool shirts and hiking boots. PFDs
were uncomfortable, bulky, and of questionable merit. The only drysuits were
for divers (and when I began paddling no drysuits at all). Now that we have
so much technology in our favor (comfort, safety, etc.) I'd like to take
advantage of  at least some of it.


Craig Jungers
Moses Lake, WA
www.nwkayaking.net
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