PFDs: 1 v 2 & 3s

I 'm interested in a sensible and polite discussion on the topic of what is considered the most appropriate PFD for certain circumstances.

Why? Well a few weeks ago I heard a story about a sea kayaker that drowned at north head, Sydney harbour. Story is that he was found out of his craft, face down, epirb 'on' but drowned. And btw he was apparently a skilled sea kayaker.

Now two things worried me:
1. He was floating face down. So next time I had my type 3 on I tried it to see which way I floated up without assisting it to do so. Every time it turned me over and face down. I considered this an issue.
2. I have an epirb and have it attached near my waist at the front of the PFD. Unfortunately they do not work under water so that is a poor mounting position if you happen to become unconscious. I placed it there for accessibility.

So, I bought an inflatable PFD 1, ie it will float me face up. Now the catch is that off course you have to be conscious to inflate it by canister. Accepted. So either way if unconscious when hitting the water in a 1,2 or. 3 it appears to be game over.

Ok so what is the advantage of a 1 over a 2 or 3. As I see it a 1 is better for summer as it certainly is cooler, I may swap to a 2/3 for winter.

It's very light and comfortable, Uninflated. It's safety yellow when inflated but dark when not, but you can get bright covers.

Also I thing it is less of a hinterence to remount with less bulk, as is the lower cent of gravity that a light weight 1 gives.

So given all the above, can I get your considered opinions.

Btw: the Sea Rescue NSW sailors all wear the same type I have? So whey do they choose inflatable 1s?

I'm not sure what types 1, 2 and 3 are!

Can you perhaps point us at a definition?

Like everything, I think some compromise is necessary. Clearly the safest would be to wear a proper life jacket that pops you upright even if you're unconscious. But I would find such a thing impossible to paddle in, so I wouldn't use it.

But I also believe that you're insane to go offshore in big conditions without any kind of floatation aid. So for me the best solution is something like the Mocke PFD.

As you say, if you're knocked unconscious wearing a basic PFD, you'll drown. But I can't think of any examples here ever of people being picked up, drowned while they've been wearing a PFD, so my opinion is that it's highly unlikely that this will happen.

But I do know of a number of cases where a PFD has kept people afloat with badly injured arms or in such cold water that they'd probably have drowned without the PFD.

So for me the basic PFD covers 95% of the situations and a full-on self righting life jacket is simply not practical for surfski paddling.

Robin, please www.maritime.nsw.gov.au/sbh/safety_equipment/lifejackets.html For definitions here in NSW (Sydney).

The difference between 2 and 3 is just te colour.

Yes I agree and I don't go out without a jacket, never! But which one is the issue?

And just to confuse things, the USCG definitions also use types (I, II, III, V), which are different from the ones listed by Kneewall.

Hello together,

this is my first posting but I am reading here with interest for a while. The category 1 PFDs are not really suitable for paddling.
They are too long and too restrictive. I´ve never seen a sea kayaker with such a PFD. As Robin pointed out it is not very likely to get unconscious when you capsize so a standard 50 N
(Category 2) PFD should be O.K. However there is an alternative. You could consider a 150 N inflatable Lifevest instead.But it has to be the manual version for kayakers. I am using one from Secumar occasionally when my foam PFD is getting too warm.

Greetings from Germany

Michael

First post... Sorry if this info is too wordy.

I have purchased close to ten top of the line PFDs, just in the the past 5 years.

In my opinion, the Kokotat SeaO2 Hybrid is the overall best vest out there for ski paddling.

This vest has about 3.5kgs of foam flotation (7.5lbs) built in, which is perfect for swimming around the boat after being tossed.

In case of an emergency, there is also an inflatable air bladder built into the vest that can be filled by pulling the cord, or by mouth, that brings the vests flotation up to 10kgs (22lbs) which is the amount of buoyancy found in some offshore type 1 vests. (USCG)

With the SeaO2, you get the best of both worlds. The vest has very little bulk and just enough flotation to work well in everyday situations. Best of all, when an emergency arises, type 1 secondary flotation is there if ever needed.

The lower back and sides of the SeaO2 are mesh and because the PFD has very little bulk, it is very comfortable to paddle in hot weather.

In my opinion it is even more comfortable than a collar type inflatable which always seem to irritate my neck.

Of all the vests I have used ,the Kokotat SeaO2 is without a doubt the best overall, in comfort, fit and function.

I also have the new Mock vest, which I have to say is beautifully made and fits very well. But the new Mock is a bit bulkier than the SeaO2.

The only shortcoming of the Hybrid Kokotat is the price. It was about 30% higher than what I paid for the Mocke.

Yes I'm wearing a 150 N. it's classified here in Sydney as a type 1.

I'm not sure the post saying they are too long, I'm 5 10 and certainly haven't for a moment thought that the length was an issue?

Mine does not have the collar inflated, so doesn't rub. Photo taken at the finish of at the relay race after the Doctor last month.

Right now, i don't wear one at all...

I am still a beginner and thus don't venture any more than a few hundred meters from shore. I am in Sydney, its summer so the water temp isnt an issue.

I have tried to wear the life jacket before but it hindered both my paddling and my ability to get back in the boat. So now i dont wear it...

As i have an ocean swimming background, i have (over?)confidence in my abilities in the water... though i recognise that as i get better and start going further offshore i will need to use a PFD.

I like the inflatable ones, as i would still be able to swim in them... but did i hear that ski paddlers arent allowed to wear them here?

Chuck,

Yes there seems to be still some confusion about what's regulated and what a race director will request/demand?

I can't see why you can't race in a #1 that's the same as the Sea Rescue boat crew is wearing?

My training group all wear vests all the time, inside and out to sea, sort of becomes like a seatbelt, we just don't notice them now. You must have a odd one if it's uncomfortable, time you went and tried the ski specialist ones, you won't know you have one on.