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Wearing a PFD at all times

Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Safety (and comfort) 1st!

Some time ago, the term 'life jacket' was replaced with the surrogate: Personal Floatation Device (PFD). This was done because in a few incidents the title of 'life jacket' had proven to be a bit of an oxy-moron. Especially in cases where a certain grade of life jacket was used in circumstances that it proved to be about as useful as an ash tray on a motorbike. PFD's now come with ratings (type 1, 2 or 3). Different rules and regulations about the requirements of PFD types exist in the various states of Australia. The same is true of requirements of actually having to wear one in various situations, or in some cases, all situations. Kayak fishermen in Australia are well advised to look into the specific regulations that exist in the state in which they live and abide by them.

This isn't just for the sake of safety, but also for the sake of your wallet. Several years ago I was caught out by marine police in Victoria for being too far off-shore without wearing a PFD. In hind sight I really was being stupid - not just because I wasn't carrying one, but also because the kayak I was using wasn't particularly safe. It was a cheap inflatable that (knowing what I know now) had no business calling itself a kayak. As commented by the police at the time, it was really just a toy, better suited for calm and small, shallow lakes. I'm not proud to admit it, but when I got started in this sport, I really was a yakass. The main reason I wasn't wearing it was that it was horribly uncomfortable and found it to be more of a hindrance than help.

I do wear a PFD at all times these days (Hobie highback vest, made by Stohlquist), regardless of where I go fishing. This isn't just for the sake of safety (although that is of course my primary concern) but also because I find the utility pockets invariably handy. That's where my whistle and fishing licence goes, and sometimes my multitool as well. And through a little trial and error, I'm now using a PFD that is so comfortable that I barely know I'm wearing it. And that's really important - after all, kayaking is supposed to be fun. Fun and discomfort don't belong in the same sentence.

We all have different bodyshapes: male, female, ectomorph, mesomorph and ubermorph (I made that last one up... I think). Because of this, no one PFD is going to suit everyone. So the key to finding one that suits you best is not just to try them on, but to try them on while seated in a kayak - preferably the model kayak that you use. Just like human body types, hull shapes and seat designs vary also.

I recently posed the question at the Australian Kayak Fishing Forum: 'Thoughts on wearing a PFD at all times when yak fishing'. There was a really good response to this and a great deal of well-thought out answers were provided. Anyone thinking about the merits of PFDs might be well served to have a read through the numerous comments. Overall, I got the impression that those who weren't wearing PFDs most or all of the time were neglecting to mainly because the PFD they own is uncomfortable. Acknowledging this really hammered home the fact to me that apart from satisfying specific state law requirements, comfort really is a primary consideration. Food for thought.