Re: [Paddlewise] PFDs-inflatable

Obviously maintenance is required. A PFD isn't a PFD if it is an inflatable with no inherent buoyancy - its just a cordura-clad uninflated air chamber. However, combined with some of the inherent buoyancy with a wet suit, it can be a nice option for someone wanting unrestricted freedom of movement. I have two. hey are legitimate options, used cautiously. As I mostly solo I went back to regular PFD, the kind that floats. I did like the inflatable when uninflated for swimming - din't slow you dow. I did use the inflatable one day after surgery and I couldn't roll and got dizzy and swam to shore. After awhile, it got too difficult keeping my head up high while swimming the kayak behind me. The 30 plus pounds of buoyancy was great, but harder to swim in. Everything is a compromise, but you know that. 
 
I'm sorry about the fellow who died in service. Not exactly a nice outcome to a fall overboard. 
 
Doug

> A couple years back, National Safe Boating council attended the 
> ACA annual
> meeting. They came to promote the use of inflatable PFDs by 
> kayakers. Just
> pull the rip cord that activates the air cylinder and the tubes 
> inflate. The
> pull cord is at waist level. There you are upside down in cold 
> water, extra
> tight hot shot spray skirt holding tight to the knife edge glass 
> cockpitrim, paddle in your hand. What do ya do? 
> 
>  
> 
> Fish around for the pull cord, drop the paddle and pull the 
> spray skirt,
> gasp in horror etc.?
> 
>  
> 
> I took a USCGAUX basic boating course for power boaters over the 
> past month.
> They showed us an inflatable pfd that fills as soon as it gets 
> wet. A few
> days ago, a young USCG cadet was participating in a practice 
> mission, feel
> off a ship's ladder into the water. He was carrying about 60 
> pounds of gear
> at the time. Hit the water and disappeared. It seems that the water
> activated pfd that he had didn't have a gas canister hooked up 
> in it. They
> recovered his body after a while.
> 
>  
> 
> I want my pfd to be effective without possibility of failure.
> 
>  
> 
> I look forward to comments anyone may have about the value of 
> inflatablepfds. I will grant that just as victims are frequently 
> so close to shore
> that only a pfd is necessary for cold water boaters and that 
> most of the
> time for the first year or two the owners will be appropriately 
> attentive to
> inflatable pfd maintenance. I have noticed that a compressed air 
> horn will
> always work until the day it must work, at which point it ran 
> out of air
> last time out.
> 
>  
> 
> Concept of "foolproof" or "fail safe" sticks in my mind.
> 
>  
> 
> Chuck Sutherland
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