: Some good views and counter views. I guess it comes down to
: "fitness for purpose".
: the points made in the quote below got me thinking about one and
: prompted me to create this thread on a kayaking forum. Why?
: seakayakers are gear freaks and I was certain that something
: would be reccommended. Thanks for heads up on the Kokatat SeaO2,
: patrick. I've added the link to my favourites should I decide to
: go down this path.

: "Why does everyone rate pfd's so highly. They are not
: lifejackets, they are merely designed to help you float better.
: If you are unconcious or hypothermic you will drown anyway
: because there is no neck support, your noggin will simply flop
: forward into the water and unless someone pulls you out your
: stuffed anyway. My personal opinion is self inlators are a heaps
: better option because
: a) they're cheaper
: b) easier to wear and heaps more comfortable than a PFD
: c) easier to remount in one
: d) less hot to wear
: e) have whistles and mirrors and pockets for flares
: f) can still swim and duckdive waves in one
: g) if shit happens you pull the cord and you have a REAL lifejacket
: with neck
: support designed to float you on your back if you're buggered.
: Peronally I only wear it if I'm paddling away from the beach or in
: dodgy conditions
: but it is a whole lot more practical than my PFD and therefore I am
: more inclined to use it"

: The only point that i disagree with is a)"they're cheaper.
: Sure they are cheaper than a marathon paddling PFD but they are
: more expensive than a standard kayaking PFD.

Hi Craig,
It does boil down to "fit for purpose". I don't wear a lifejacket when kayaking, I do when boating. PFD for kayaks, lifejacket for boats.
a) Price varies in each type, some are 'cheaper' than others, but generally PFD's cost less on average.
b) I'd disagree with the comfort comparison. I find PFD's more comfortable than a lifejacket, particularly kayak specific designs, they have a higher cut waist. Kayaking types also seem to float you more vertically than a sailing PFD. A lifejacket will flip you onto your back making it more dificult to manuevre in the water.
c) A lifejacket will flip you onto your back making it more dificult to manuevre in the water. :)
d) Less hot? Not realy a problem as you're surrounded by coolant. :D
e) My PFD has more pockets than my lifejacket. Doesn't have a mirror though.
f) If I'm out of my kayak I want to be on the surface, preferably body vertical.
g) Can't really argue with that, that's what a lifejacket is designed for. But risk assessment comes into play. Avoiding or minimising situations that are "happening". And the ability to stamp down hard on ego.

One big advantage with PFD's is the padding will act as armour in an impact, a consideration when there's hard things about, like rocks or beaches. Not a consideration for me in a boat as boats and rocks shouldn't mix. :)

A caveat. I don't float well, in fresh water I sink slowly, in seawater I just about float 'normally' with a full 3mm wetsuit.

Mike Savage
South West Cork