PFD design/construction

Is the real issue here not perhaps the fact that people don't wear PFD's?

However, I have a similar observation about PFD's: why are they so poorly designed?

I haven't yet seen a PFD that can carry the required flares, cellphone, car key and whistle - along with attachments to the PFD. Some come close... but none get past 80% of MY requirements.

I know some people put their flares in the "locker" on the surfski, what happens when the surfski is blown away?

However, I have a similar observation about PFD's: why are they so poorly designed?

I haven't yet seen a PFD that can carry the required flares, cellphone, car key and whistle - along with attachments to the PFD. Some come close... but none get past 80% of MY requirements.

Well, here in Cape Town, Quiver manufacture the Mocke PFD. There's nothing to stop us going to them (perhaps with Dawid) and asking them to make a special version that is capable to meeting our specifications.

They could perhaps call it an "offshore" PFD - other folks might not want all the attachments, etc. Arguably there's no point in carrying flares if you're never more than 50m from the beach.