PFD Recommendation

Paddling gear and boat review
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Deuce
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PFD Recommendation

Post by Deuce » Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:34 am

Can anyone recommend a low cost PFD for rafting Arkansas rivers; Buffy, Ouachita, et al? Seems excessive to pony up for the high dollar ones they use out west for boating around here, and since I'll likely have to outfit my passengers as well that would be cost prohibitive. Thinking just a comfy type III would be sufficient, but I'd love opinions.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Roger » Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:26 pm

Probably get what you need at Gander Mtn, Sports Academy, or wallyworld.

Considering your just looking for Type III vest and don't want spend the bucks on a whitewater-specific PFD, that wuld be your best bet.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Deuce » Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:53 pm

Roger wrote:Probably get what you need at Gander Mtn, Sports Academy, or wallyworld.

Considering your just looking for Type III vest and don't want spend the bucks on a whitewater-specific PFD, that wuld be your best bet.
Don't want to spend the bucks, but will if necessary. Just wondering if anyone thinks it's necessary.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Clif » Sat Feb 19, 2011 6:33 am

Not an expert... don't play one on tv... lots of time with goobers on the Buffy in canoes and rafts tho.

Comfy. If it is hot or restricts movement.... they don't wanna wear it. No fun paddlin if the pfd starts rubbing or hard to get range of motion you need.

Some more generic pfds will start to come apart in a few years.. buckle problems, straps slipping, bad zippers, loops breaking off or coming unsewed..is that a word? Sometimes quality is the differnce.

River current difference is a consideration. A pfd more for paddling will stay there better. One of the ride in the boat big store types may end up around one's face or even stripped off in a major rapid issue. How often will yours be in that situation? Most of my Buffy trips... never. It could happen in a sudden rise of levels....

All in your use of them. Will your people be non swimmers? Sorry no vote.. just some things to think about.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by okieboater » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:11 am

I think Clif is right on the mark with his observations.

I am no expert either but have been hanging out on rivers, creeks and lakes for many years. I have witnessed and personally done a lot of swims. Some swims are fun, some are not.

Depending on the situation, any PFD is better than no PFD. Non or weak swimmers will need a different PFD setup to handle even mellow fall out of the boat swims. If a person is unconscious in the water and cannot make swimming motions they need a different type PFD designed to float them head up.

It has been my personal opinion that the times you will need a PFD you or your loved one will need the very best PFD out there.

Yup, in the summer time, a person can be jumping into the Buffalo, Mulberry or any normally mellow stream and not need much help from a PFD. Change the time to a colder day, faster current or a panicked swimmer and things go bad fast.

If a accident occurs a good properly fitted PFD can make the difference between a swim and big time injury. And, yes I have seen some serious swims on the Mulberry, Upper Buffalo and Big Piney plus many other streams.

Like Clif I am not going to go into detail all the various brands, types etc but will say you need to do your own research and buy the best PFD you can afford and get help with the fitting so the PFD stays on the individual person.

Some general things to consider. Amount of flotation. PFD's with the minimum allowed amounts of flotation might not float some people. I call these PFD's swim aids in that the person will need to make swimming motions to keep their head above water. PFD fit is key. Depending on design, some PFD's are snug and do not ride up much if worn as designed. The key is having all the designed belts adjusted properly to the design.

A real popular PFD design is the horse collar type. If not properly adjusted they will float up above the head and I have seen them come off. Same thing can happen to any PFD that does not fit the person. I see many smaller children wearing PFD's that do not fit. This is false security and a parent's nightmare if things go bad. I personally, like the vest type PFD's that can be pretty comfortable to wear. Some fabrics will rot with the repeated cycles of being in the water and sun exposure. Easy to miss till fittings rip out.

Flotation is another thing to consider. Some PFD's use material encased in a plastic sheath. Pretty easy for the plastic to get punctured or split and it does not float. Most all the foams degrade a bit each year, some more than others. I do a test float at least once a year to see if my PFD's work as I expect them to.

There is a lot to consider on PFD purchase, care and how to use them. Do your own research and get input from your boating buds then you make the decision.

I replace my PFD's every few years and I buy the best I can afford. I have a kayaking PFD, a rafting PFD and a fishing type PFD. My thoughts are each activity takes a slightly different type of PFD. Others might feel differently.

I attempt to save money on lots of gear but PFD and Helmets are two items I save until I can get the item I think works best for me.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Deuce » Sat Feb 19, 2011 10:30 am

Thanks guys. Okie, what do you use for your rafting PFD? Plan to go ahead and pony up for a good one in a couple of weeks and would like to know what you wear and your thoughts on it.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by okieboater » Sat Feb 19, 2011 2:01 pm

I figure if I take a unplanned departure from my raft, I am in bad stuff. And, that has proven to be the case several times. I use the Extrasport Ranger Hi float Rescue vest some where around 24 plus pounds flotation and just replaced mine. For some time, this was a hi float PFD most of the bigger folks used. The old one is maybe 3 or 4 years old and in good shape but had some stains. The old one becomes the required spare since other than the stains, rest is up to specifications except I feel the flotation degrades somewhere around 2 percent per year. I took a big time swim couple years ago on the GC and this PFD did a good job for me unfortunately being in cotton tee shirt and shorts was not good for a long swim is seriously cold water.

Maybe off topic, when you are on a float and not wearing your PFD, be sure you clip your PFD to something so it will not be blown away. I have seen PFD's and other loose gear blow down the beach sometimes lost.

I have seen some good feedback on the MTI big bouy PFD's just have not purchased one. If I find a deal on a MTI, that might become my rafting spare and I can give it a test. It is my understanding, both Extrasport and MTI are made in China, so I factor that into my PFD life cycle planning. Regardless of the label, I am very suspicious of the quality of the components of anything coming out of China. I recommend close examination of any PFD ie stitching, quality of cloth, webbing, closure system and zippers.

Extrasport also does a 22 pound version of the same PFD I wear rafting which might work ok for smaller folks as far as wearability and bulk is concerned.

I have lost a bit of weight, but am a long ways from where I need to be. I have had decent service from the Extrasport Rangers, others might have a favorite. It all depends on individual choices. My feeling that the more flotation the better for rafting. There are some PFD models that have hi float and a righting panel to help a person keep their head above the water. For non or weak swimmers, this type should be considered.

My kayaking PFD is an Astral Green Jacket with the rescue belt. Like the PFD but if I do not give it some help with swim strokes, it is a marginal float for me. I have experienced some problems doing kayak rolls with the hi float PFD's, am looking at several designs around the 19 to 22 pound flotation level for kayaking. I like the looks of the Stolquest Descent rescue PFD and several of my kayak buds whose opinions I respect like them.

My fishing PFD is a Extrasport vest style that is light weight and comfortable to wear. It is a bit old and I will probably replace it soon with one of the newer models with a lot of gear pockets for tackle.

If I had kids I would take the time and money to outfit them with good PFD's with plenty of flotation and most importantly replace as necessary to keep the fit perfect. It is my opinion that rafting lulls most of us into false security. That is you can be comfortably floating down river in a secure raft and either slip or get thrown out of that nice warm raft. Water may be cold and fast and you are in trouble. Or, if the water is warm and flat it might be just a chance to cool off. Either way, a good fitting PFD with the right amount of flotation is key to happy outcomes.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Deuce » Tue Feb 22, 2011 10:11 am

Great. Thanks for the opinions. That's exactly the feedback I was looking for.
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Re: PFD Recommendation

Post by Crane » Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:07 am

The Big Bouy from MTI (I think) is a good, inexpensive 27 lb jacket. I've worn one the last several years on western raft trips. I use an Extrasport Rescue jacket when I'm in my my jayak... Crane
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