Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Just want to know what oppinions are on wearing a rescue vest without having swift water rescue training. I wouldn't be using it as a rescue vest, but I don't want to be expected to use it without being able to. The vest would primarily be used for creeking and river running.

Thanks for your input,

Jake K

Take the rescue release belt off and you will have a standard PFD.

Buy the rescue vest, take the SWR course,
you won't regret it.


Tommy

Get the vest, then take a course or clinic the first chance you get. With or without training, you always need to be willing to make the call on not doing anything that puts yourself in too much danger, and no one has a right to "expect" you to do so just because you're wearing any given piece of gear. If they do, offer to shuck it off an hand it to them.

One advantage of the course is not only that you get to use the vest, but you see a dozen or so others use one, so you learn from their experiences of what works and what doesn't. And most times, at least one experiences a "failure to release" due to a tangled, too-long waist belt. The first thing you should do when you get your vest is to put it on, and figure out how much of the extra belt length you can cut off. Leave just enough extra to cover your "winter weight" and clothing.