Craig wrote: >As far as a PFD being the best survival tactic in cold water... then what's >second best? A PFD and a drysuit? A PFD and a wetsuit? What about a ordinary pfd for paddling and an inflatable as backup? Some years back at the beginning of my paddling career I didn't possess the gear and equipment that I now find natural. So early in the season when the water temperature was about 45 F, 7 C, I went out with a trip leader but was caught by a change in the weather. I had not been too convinced about my own capabilities, so just the week before I had bought an inflatable and adjusted it to fit over my pfd, and stored it in a tubing next to the seat in my kayak. The salt tablet was replaced by a small nut to prevent accidental activation. On our way back I capsized in the lively sea and couldn't get back in the kayak. I pulled the inflatable out of the kayak and "dressed" in the water. After dressing I activated the pfd-cartridge. Then I hanged on to the stern of another kayak and was carried with my legs out of the cold up on the deck of the kayak and supported efficiently by the buoyancy and the hood of the inflatable. It gave a good protection against the cold waves. More than half an hour later and with my legs pretty blue we reached the beach. On our way towards the beach my rescuer capsized twice in the breaking waves and I had to turn him back up. I shall always remember the experience. Now I use the pfd as a body harness and I don't know where I should have my gear if it wasn't there. My skills are much better and the inflatable is no longer in use. Today I prefer my dry suit as precaution together with my body harness, vhf and plb. Then I didn't know better, but the inflatable proved its worth. It was a strange feeling to go back to the store and ask for a new co2 cartridge. So, what about a ordinary pfd for paddling and an inflatable as backup? best regards Jens Viggo Moesmand *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Mar 09 2011 - 06:46:31 PST
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