> If you are thinking of putting flotation in an area that is easily
> accessible, consider getting or making a fabric bag ( for resistance
> to abrasion) lining it with a plastic garbage bag ( for water proofing),
> and filling the combination with foam packing peanuts, or chunks of
> molded packing foam. This flotation is free and can be pretty durable.
> If the plastic bag is punctured it may get soem water inside it, but
> the water will hardly affect the flotation. If it gets moldy or mildewy
> after a few years, wash out the fabric bag with some bleach, dump
> the plastic bag and foam chips, and start over. For small diameter
> float sacks like this, which can easily pass thru hatches, consider
> recycling pant legs from old jeans. To make a sack from them you just
> have to sew up the ends.

> Paul Jacobson

Good idea! Thanks, Paul!

The only question I have is, what if you want the float bags to stay more or less in one place, so they're not continually slipping back into the cockpit area? The first idea that comes to mind is "carpe ductum" (seize the tape!)