Comfortable pfd

Advice
#182

Ahem, just where is this place?

Thanks in advance
mjac

#183

We wore SOS inflatables on the sailboat before they were approved by the Coast Guard. Ours included a safety harness. (The four legal May-West’s were still in their plastic wrap when I sold the boat.) Recently the 29 year old inflatables fell out when I was rummaging around in the closet. I pulled the cord on one and it inflated instantly looking good as new. If you are going to get wet a lot get the manually activated version. The automatic version will inflate when immersed whether you actually need help or not. Either can be repacked and a new canister purchased. If I was going to need floatation often I’d get something else.

#184

Inflatables:
-Expensive
-Need continuous maintenance
-Costs to reactivate
-Not always reliable
-Auto: Can inflate unwanted
-Manual: No protection when you hit the water
-Would never be used in most dangerous situations,
so you would still need a conventional.

Just doesn’t add up.

Thanks
mjac

#185

I am waiting, we are talking GPS Coordinates here.

Time is of the essence
mjac

#186

Update: Amazon made a mistake and issued me a refund for the Trekker saying it wasn’t received. Amazon has been good to me, so I called twice trying to correct the situation and they insisted I keep the Trekker and the refund. I got the Trekker for free. Go figure.

Thanks
mjac

1 Like
#187

A type IV is a throwable device. It is not meant to be worn. From the official USCG regulations:

§ 175.15 Personal flotation devices required.

Except as provided in §§ 175.17 and 175.25:

(a) No person may use a recreational vessel unless—

  • (1) At least one wearable PFD is on board for each person;

  • (2) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements on the approval label; and

  • (3) Each PFD is used in accordance with any requirements in its owner’s manual, if the approval label makes reference to such a manual.

(b) No person may use a recreational vessel 16 feet or more in length unless one throwable PFD is onboard in addition to the total number of wearable PFDs required in paragraph (a) of this section.

There is an exception regarding throwable devices for kayaks and canoes, but you can carry one if you like. Canada does require kayaks and canoes to carry a throw bag with at least 50’ of floating line and a bailing device in addition to a wearable PFD and sound producing device (whistle).

A throwable device alone does not meet the USCG requirements for a wearable PFD and most states and jurisdictions for the most part follow the USCG requirements on inland waters. A Type IV PFD is an approved device designed to be thrown to a person in the water . It is not designed to be worn. It is designed to have at least 16.5 pounds of buoyancy. The most common Type IV PFD is a buoyant cushion.

State by State PFD requirements.

2 Likes
#188

Don’t bother me with facts, I am on a roll.

Thanks
mjac

1 Like
#189

Must feel real good now :laughing:

#190

Before you get snarky, I called Amazon twice to tell them about it and tried to talk them out of it the second time, that is when I gave up. I might sell it and make a profit then buy a seat cushion. I don’t need no fancy PFD like some fancy “Expedition” owner…Yeah that is the ticket.

I wrote this experienced instructor I met on here, that this must be an omen of some kind, somebody is trying to tell me something.

Let me ask you something, here are some pictures of the routine paddle I will be taking, keeping in mind it is just for the scenic benefit, would you wear a PFD for this relaxing paddle?

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Thanks
mjac[quote=“PaddleDog52, post:189, topic:129549, full:true”]

Must feel real good now :laughing:
[/quote]

#191

How deep is the water?

#192

The lagoon sections you see, stick the paddle in the mud, the small lake sections near shore about 6’, out in the middle, not sure.

mjac

#193

Does a lot of good there.

#194

And do the gators :crocodile: pull you under in a death spiral?!:anguished:

That’s looks way to snakey for me.

1 Like
#195

Then yes, my nose isn’t 6 feet over the soles of my feet. Plus I might go in the middle.

1 Like
#196

What do you mean?

It pads my knees and gives me visual reassurance when I look at it, very functional.

Thanks
mjac

#197

I knew if I asked, you would give me your honest opinion, that is why I asked. So, anything that presents a risk must be minimized. This instructor I met on here (no lessons just talking) and a couple of others have me taking a harder look at this to the point I have a first class PFD now, where before I would not have invested that kind of money in it.( even though I ended up getting it for nothing, maybe that is a sign.)

I wonder if it makes a good knee pad…It better.

Thanks
mjac

1 Like
#198

You laugh, there was one gator, Oscar, who used to sun bath on top of one of the old nonfunctional fountains, huge, I am talking 14-16 ‘. I am told WLF thinned him out. Magnificent, powerful animal. There are still plenty of gators there along with other wildlife.

“Snakey?”…A way of life.No ecosystem on the face of the earth has more life in it then a Marsh.As far as safety, 44 Magnum Ruger Vaquero, first two rounds shell shot snake loads, last four rounds jacketed hollows for gators and two legged animals. As everyone keeps preaching, all threats should be minimized, with a PFD or otherwise, Facts of Life.

Your Quote: “ I do not set a bad example because where I paddle I am lucky if they wear bathing suites in the Alpine lakes.”

Just out of curiosity, strictly curiosity, just where are these “Alpine Lakes” located?… Be as precise as possible.

Thanks
mjac

#199

Everyone here is wondering why up until now I have been reluctant to wear a PFD, especially in “Urban Marshes,” when it is an accepted safety practice that can prevent very unfortunate outcomes.

It slows down my draw.

Thanks
mjac

#200

How? Draw what?

#201

44 Magnum Ruger Vaquero

Thanks
mjac