PFD's when Paddling

T

Tim R

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RO Number
2009
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I know this is mostly a powerboat crew, but there may be a few paddling brethren amongst the crowd here.

Below are stories about two paddlers who recently went missing in my neck of the wood. One was known to not be wearing a PFD, and I would put money on the other also not wearing one.

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2018/05/still_no_sign_of_man_whose_canoe_capsized_in_delaw.html

http://www.nj.com/morris/index.ssf/2018/05/rescuers_resume_search_for_missing_kayaker.html

Paddling is great fun, but it's a much better day when you return home alive.
 
Life Jackets, of course, ARE Required. In CGAUX, we have a Paddlecraft Safety course. We've gained pretty much NO traction in the Kayak and SUP communities. Unlike powerboaters, no education card required, no insurance discounts to incent with. More than that, I believe the groups consider themselves free spirits. Supposed to have a PFD and a whistle. I keep whistles where I can invite kayakers to come to the dock for a whistle, which gives me a chance to mention PFD's. The other thing I give them is an "ownership label." The idea is, if a kayaker gets separated from their boat, SAR needs to be able to match them up, so they don't launch a person search when all that happened was kayak floated away.

SUP can be a Water Toy like other surfboards if that's what you're doing. Paddle and all. Paddle SUP from one beach to another, then it's a Watercraft, Life Jacket and Whistle required.
 
Sounds like a rookie mistake cost them their lives. Every serious paddler I know always wares a life jacket. The water is still cold, and hypothermia will set in quick.

Unfortunately, the law doesn't really help - Federal Law (like j-d says) requires that PFD's must be aboard . . . no requirement to wear one. (Although - NY requires PFD's be worn by those aboard pleasure vessels less than 21, including rowboats, canoes and kayaks, while underway between November 1 and May 1.)
 
Low freeboard, rounded bottoms, high aspect ratios what could possibly go wrong?
 
Hey Tim, welcome back too bad the circumstances were not better. Yeah, mistakes were made. I've been down the Delaware a number of times. Basically down to Pond Eddy. We always went in Summer to avoid the cold water and high water rapids at Skinners Falls. I've seen bent up canoes wedged in the rocks there.
Oh well.

So have you been paddling in the Harbor lately? ;)
 
We have kayaks that are so stable you have to work to dump them, still don't paddle without wearing a PFD. We bought good kayaking vests that do not interfere with paddling or fishing, being comfortable makes them much less hassle to wear.

When I was a kid I had the unfortunate opportunity to see a canoeist who was pulled out of the local river after a week. That was enough to convince me...
 
In my neck of the woods, I never-ever see paddle boarders wearing a PFD or even having one on their board. I just don't get it-you lose your balance or hit a wave wrong and go into the water and smacking yer head on the board and get knocked unconscious. That scenario absolutely gives me the heebie geebies. I'm just amazed there aren't more accidental drownings of paddle boarders.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Brian N

We have kayaks that are so stable you have to work to dump them, still don't paddle without wearing a PFD. We bought good kayaking vests that do not interfere with paddling or fishing, being comfortable makes them much less hassle to wear.

When I was a kid I had the unfortunate opportunity to see a canoeist who was pulled out of the local river after a week. That was enough to convince me...

Click to expand...


Just bot an old mans kyack. Was going to use the pfd I have for the main boat. But this makes sense. What's your recommendation for a big dude.
 
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