: I tried to search the old thread regarding the idea of self-inflating
: self-rescue floatation but it appears that Nick has cut off the search
: engine so that it goes back only as far as Jan 02, 2004. There was a guy
: (name forgotten) who tried to sell the idea of self-inflating self-rescue
: bags that would help a paddler in case of roll-over. Most folks here
: argued that skills were more important and that reliance on technology was
: a recipie for disaster. Other comments focused on knowledge, knowledge and
: more knowledge. Know what the weather report is, know the water
: conditions, know the tidal currents within the body of water that you plan
: to paddle, know the skill limits of the weakest paddler and don't do any
: more than that individual is capable of, etc. That said, knowledge served
: only to prevent the paddlers in this case from doing what they should have
: done and in hindsight, the survivors knew so. Sometimes knowing what you
: can do can blind you to what nature can do to you.

: Robert N Pruden

Actually the more interesting device I've seen was the tiny air bottle that allowed you to carry 10 minutes or so of air to breath via a scuba type regulator. Then if your roll failed and had trouble exiting the boat you don't die right away anyway, gives you enough time to sort out the problems.

Bill H.