PFD safety gear

A

Aurelia

New member
We all have PFDs but it may be a good idea to equip those PFDs with a few pieces of gear. Get clever and don't be shy about tying a few things on being careful not to interfere with the workings of a self inflator of course.

We have a ditch bag accessible as well but in the back of my mind is that "all the eggs in one basket" problem. I have seen folks get in real trouble when that caught up with them.

So here is what we carry on/in our PFDs.

Greg's:

-VHF radio
-Knife
-2 aerial flares
-1 smoke signal
-whistle
-water activated strobe
-LED flashlight
-floating PLB

Cindie's:

-Knife
-2 aerial flares
-1 smoke signal
-whistle
-water activated strobe
-LED flashlight

Aven's:

-whistle
-water activated strobe
-LED flashlight


I use a Cabelas flavor auto inflating vest that has a single chest pocket. That was not enough storage for me so I added a small Eagle creek zippered pouch that is tethered below my vest with 1/4 inch shock cord loops and a stainless clip on one side to easily remove the vest and leave the pouch attached.

http://www.c-brats.com/modules.php?full ... _photo.php

In the vest pocket is a waterproof floating PLB (resQlink+) and attached to that zipper pull is a loud whistle. Also attached is a water activated strobe and small LED flashlight.

In the pouch is a small waterproof VHF radio (Cobra MR HH125). This is only a 3 watt model but is small and better than yelling. Small and floating are not very complimentary so I sacrificed the floating part.

Also in the pouch are 2 aerial flares and 1 smoke signal and attached is a fixed blade knife hanging ready to be pulled for use.

Cindie carries her flares and a smoke signal in a pouch on the rear corner of the waist strap of her auto inflater.
 
There was a suggesting of added some cord for attaching a line to the bow eye of an overturned boat for an easier handhold. I am working on added some paracord to my pouch. I think 25 ft should do and cord can come in handy for many more purposes anyway.

Thoughts?
 
25 feet of Paracord would be a good number. That is small enough to be able to be attached to a vest. I also feel that each person should have a waterproof VHF--those Standard Horizon set is a good buy. The hand held should be in addition to the built in 25 watt radios in the boat. We carry two 25 watt radios, with separate antennas, as well as at least 2 hand held radios. Same on the PLB--we now have 3. They are about the size of a deck of cards.

I prefer a Kayak type of fishing vest--sorry no photo, but it has 4 pockets which have the room for all of the emergency gear with nothing dangling.
 
My life jacket has:

-strobe
-waterproof GPS
-waterproof VHF
-PLB
-flare gun, 4 day/night signals
-whistle

This way I can signal help and communicate with potential rescuers. At least that's the idea.

Since I wear my lifejacket when I'm kayaking, I have all this with me in case something happens while in the kayak. And I'll often carry the PLB, VHF, and a handheld GPS when hiking.

Of course, the best solution is to avoid situations requiring a rescue. It's imperative that people not make riskier decisions because they have a bunch of safety gear and a better chance of getting rescued.
 
I am a little more slim on my kayak unit.

It has a VHF, whistle, mirror, three flares, knife and stronger flashlight. I carry the PLB on the kayak and while not perfect, I am ok with that for now.

that type of vests are not quite as all-the-time comfortable to me just due to the added warmth in front and back.

But I have been considering trying one of these designs in place of my auto inflator. With pockets and mostly mesh on the body it could be a nice solid alternative.

http://images.cabelas.com/is/image/cabe ... a-0ppvXRcS
 
Some links to the items that I have had good luck with:

ACR ResQlink +

http://www.acrartex.com/products/catalo ... qlinkplus/

CRKT knives with good plastic sheaths that are easy to lash to PFDs

http://www.crkt.com/Bear-Claw-Sharp-Tip ... rated-Edge

http://www.crkt.com/Renner-Neckolas-Nec ... and-Sheath

Small water activated strobe

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... hLHXpJln0Y

small lights

http://www.princetontec.com/blast

http://www.princetontec.com/amp-1lbc


The two small bags we use on our PFDs

This one holds two flares and a smoke signal for Cindie and we removed the clip and tied the loops on the end directly to her PFD belt with cord.

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-sac-x ... 1096_c_213

This one carries the radio, flares, smoke for me and there is room for more. It hangs just below my PFD and has never got in the way or bothered me a bit. (Note, I am 6'3" and have a long torso)

http://shop.eaglecreek.com/packit-quart ... 1079_c_212
 
I would recommend one of these in the local sun challenged region.

http://www.greatlandlaser.com/rescue-laser-light.html

I have used them along with many other methods for aircraft signaling with great success. After testing them ourselves, our rescue group was full of converts. These are not just laser pointers as they emit a flattened beam for sweeping and now include an aiming ring as well.

40 hours of day or night signalling outweighs a few minutes of pyro devices. I don't own one myself but intend to change that.

Don't forget to tether it or otherwise make it bouyant.

Greg
 
Aurelia":5lgq50ha said:
There was a suggesting of added some cord for attaching a line to the bow eye of an overturned boat for an easier handhold. I am working on added some paracord to my pouch. I think 25 ft should do and cord can come in handy for many more purposes anyway.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

I like floating cord a lot. I have a 25ft bundle tucked into the gunnel on each side of the boat. I *could* use it for anything... pots, rafting, docking, but its nice to have it there for emergencies. Seems like para line is a bit small/hard to grab compared to a nice floating rope if you were in a capsized situation and trying to stay anchored to the vessel.
 
Dustin,
The paracord came to mind because it is something you can thread thru the bow eye if the boat is capsized, or use to keep people together in the water. hook onto floating fenders or a cooler if they were thrown clear. It is easily braided into a bracelet or a very small coil--and be there for an emergency--small enough to always be there. Granted that poly line would be better--but if you go over, it is one of those standard survival items. A piece is included in our small ditch bag, we keep with us in the dingy and right by the helm.

The fixed vest is very similar to the one linked to by Greg. The Stohlquist Fisherman. This allows freedom of your arms, with plenty of pockets and gear clips. For the dinghy we often use the belt type of auto inflate PDF and carry our safety gear in the dry bag. That way we don't have to wear a life jacket when we hike or go about town.
 
My inflatable PFD is an off shore version with a harness. I have a water activated strobe, an manually activated strobe, a knife, a whistle and my hand held VHF has a strobe, gps, and floats.

At some point a PLB will be included.

Gregg, I have seen hyour little packs and I think those are a great idea. thanks for starting this thread.

Harvey
SleepyC
 
Back
Top