Bill,
Modern inflatable life vests are reasonably reliable. This is possible due to modern materials and production values. The choice between an inherently buoyant PFD, or an inflatable vest, or a hybrid, is one of those informed, weighted choices you make as a paddler. Yes, inflatable vests require some maintenance. I check mine every summer at the lake. Every two years I fire off the CO2 and let it inflate, and then put in a new cartridge and safety pin. This costs money. I do not advocate water-activated life vests as they are obviously for shipboard use. My main philosophy is that my kayak is my lifeboat.

I use a normal PFD for surfing, as I'm more likely to get hit by another paddler's boat, etc., so prefer the inherent buoyancy and padding. Few PFD's really keep your head out of the water. I modified my surf-use PFD with a home-made crotch strap to prevent riding up. This unfortunately voided the official approval of the PFD, but I made it safer for real-world use. And I like the inflatable vest for regular paddling because of the superior buoyancy, the true life-saving abilities to keep my head out of the water (especially important in rough, cold seas or where you have blacked out). Yes, you need to inflate it first, which is the weakness of a pull-tab activated inflatable vest. On the other hand I CAN swim well with it on, making headway for the beach or diving under a wave in rock gardens, yet inflate it if I need to. I can't say that about my PFD. The vest does manually inflate through an orally blown tube as a backup.

A few years ago I missed an end-of-the-day practice roll in the middle of a bay after a long paddle. I had just recovered from two months in the hospital with flesh eating disease, and rolling made me unexpectedly way too dizzy. I swam for shore easily with the vest on, towing my kayak with a line attached to my ankle. Water temperature was about 14 degrees Celsius. I tired part way and inflated the vest. I had on enough immersion gear to eventually make it, but was feeling very unwell. Someone came out to get me in the mean time in a row boat. I could have done a paddle float rescue but in a way wanted to test the vest in less than ideal circumstances – the kind that usually does occur in real-world incidents I did appreciate the extra buoyancy once I had determined that I might be better off with it. When it comes to gear, you pays your money and you take your chances. Literally.

Doug

I'm sorry but I seemed to have stopped this thread in its tracks. I hope it hasn't been my suggestion to take a leap into the water. Nothing personal.


Cheers

Bill

It seems that there are some people out there putting some thought into what goes into there pockets.
I think the ba attatched to your body idea, while perhaps good in theory, isn't something that i would ever use. If I'm out of my boat it means that the conditions are rather nasty and the last thing i want is a bag with a rope going around and around me at surface (neck) level.... which could lead to all sorts of problems that is assuming that the bag would have positive bouyancy, if not could lead to some other fun ideas.
VHF's and mobiles are a good idea, but have you ever tried to actually use one whilst in the water. the reception, on both, can be pretty bad. but probably a good thing to have once yooumake it to sure.
as for what i have in my pfd pockets
-muesli (granola) bars for longer stuff
-flares
-knife and whistle
-water in a hydro pack
-compass
-EPIRB
-camera
-strobe
I think that there is a limit to what is actually essential and just going for overkill.
at the end of the day you should be able to stay in your kayak, ie learn to roll, or if you plan on coming out away from rocks and surf stay attatched and have all those bulkier essential inside your boat.
happy paddling out there
lachlan

As a newbie to the site and forum, this whole "what has it got in its Pocketsess" discussion has been a good read. I do think that it also is very dependent upon the type of PFD you have. At the moment I have one that is limited on pocket space and so have been looking at alternative waterproof bags/boxes that I can comfortably keep in the cockpit.

ah well if one has a Kayak one must accessorise!

Wlcome pommiegirl

I'm not sure that keeping your survival essentials in the cockpit is a good idea. Maybe getting some new pockets on the pfd or a new pfd would be better. In matching trin of course.

Cheers

Bill

All joking about colour coordination aside, I am investing soon in a new PFD, which in consideration of the need for mirror, whistle,flare,firstaid, tow rope etc etc etc will have me looking at poket numbers and caribina attachment points in a new light. The above discussion has bee insightfil and useful. But there has to be consideration for that moment when you are capsized/out of the kayak and have to get back in without the added difficulty of too much on your PFD getting in the way.Not having been in that situation myself but have observed a fellow paddler getting all hot n bothered when trying to complete a re-entry into righted Kayak, and getting all caught up in their gear! But in retrospect the person in question is one of those who has to have absolutely EVERYTHING from the paddle shop in or on their boat.

just something for you to think about pommie girl.
when you are paddling there are a few skills you might like to consider which order of priority they have
high brace - stops you from going over
roll - puts you back up once over
re-entry roll - puts you back in then up
right side re-entry - puts you back in once kayak is righted.
to be honest these are more difficult as you go down the list. if you can do the one above perfectly you shouldn't really have to do theone below too much. learning how to brace and roll are more important than trying to climb back in to a kayak with too much stuff in your pockets.
i'm not trying to be insulting but rolling is a skill that can be learnt in about 2-3 hours, try a pool or drysuit if you're worried about the cold. i've only ever done right side re-entries in training drills, but never really worried about how much was in my pockets then to be honest.
good luck with it all
lachlan

Pommie Girl,

The simple benchmark is that the gear in your PFD should be able to keep you ok in the water for a few hours. The tow rope, etc are not needed on your person and can be stored in a bag. Whereas, a whistle, mirror, flares and PLB will all fit snugly into one Lotus PFD pocket.

Someone learning this sport will learn it better and quicker by investing in lessons. Developing sound basic strokes will allow you to enjoy the sport. Also someone who is just learning should avoid getting into spots where you will need to tow others.

That leaves you a second pocket for other items.


Bill H

Well Hey PommieGirl,
Welcome too. This discussion is a good review for us all.

I would saw the tow rope (as part of a tow belt system) does belong on your person. Usually these are worn around the waist. Having a tow rope in a bag stored someplace means you can't get to it quickly when you need it. To me it isn't an item that is considered with the PFD.

I carry '4 things' in my PFD -
1- something to fix me
2- something to fix my boat
3- something to signal for help
4- something to keep people happy

that breaks down like this -
1- window flashing and a film canister with 2 part epoxy putty
2- small first aid kit (paddler medic) stored in a PDA dry bag
3- whistle, mirror, 2 flares (stored in a cell phone dry bag) and VHF radio (on shoulder strap)
4- sunscreen, snacks, lip balm, and a skull cap

I also carry surgical shears instead of a knife.

I purchased an Extrasport Osprey. It is an extremely well fitting, and comfortable paddle fishing PFD, and not for fishing, but specifically for the extra pocket space.

In my PFD . .

Leatherman tool
Cyalume lightstick
Waterproof torch style lighter
Basic first aid kit
AA LED penlight
Emergency blanket
Magellan Meridian GPS (unless im looking at it)
Signal mirror
Fox 40 whistle (on a 6" lanyard attached to the outside)
Small waterproof binoculars (on the outside - lower PFD sidestrap runs through bin case)
My cell phone (in ziploc bag)
AuquaMira tablets in sealed package, in a ziploc bag. (You can go quite a while without food, but much less time without water - fill the ziploc with clear non-salty water, add tablet . . good to go.)

All of this adds negligible weight.

I do have a Camelback hydration bladder in a basic soft case on the back of the PFD - easy access. This would be the heaviest add-on, when filled at 70oz.

I paddle mostly local lakes and rivers, never too far from civilization. Come summer, and bigger water paddles, I'll add an VHF and/or EPIRB

I have a Palm Kaikoura Tour PFD.
I carry:
Knife
VHF (Icom M71)
Strobe/flashlight
Fox 40 whistle
Snacks (muesli bars)
iPhone (in small dry bag)
Waterproof lighter
Compass
GPS (Garmin Vista)
Lightsticks
Camelback (water pouch)
Small karabina
Car Key

Great stuff, but after reading this thread, I think I'm going to need a bigger PFD.

Seriously, I have a Kokatat Bahia Tour, and I got some good ideas in this thread for things I might include in the pockets.

Just want to say, I did have a PFD that had a pocket on the front. This pocket hindered me from getting back into my boat. Like carrying a 'D' cup up front. Also to keep in mind, the more that you carry in your PDF, the less boyant you will be.

The always items:

Whistle on short lanyard.
Chapstick (also good for lubing zippers)
Noseplugs
Small tube w. folding money
Spare car key clipped to inner pocket
Knife lashed on
Power bars

If going on the Great Lakes:

a VHF handheld in a mesh sleeve which hooks inside my PFD next to my chest (I made this).

1 credit card
silver space blanket (also good for signalling)
would add flares for certain trips

Sometimes:

a waterproof camera (goes in its own pocket)
compact binocs

I like the saying "if it ain't on ya it ain't with ya"