: An age old surfski paddling debate has fired up again regarding the
: wearing PFD's over at another forum that I participate in
: http://www.surfski.info/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1219:close-call-where-was-the-safety-gear&catid=49:tips-other&Itemid=131

: Link above for anybody who is interested. Was wondering what the
: opinions of seakayakers are regarding the use of inflatable
: lifejackets.

I have a Stearns belt-style with a manual release. I usually wear it when I paddle wearing my tuilik and when I practice rolling. I like it quite a lot, but I've never had to use it. In calm conditions or when practicing rolling my wetsuit combined with my tuilik is enough flotation to help quite a lot without a pfd. When it gets warmer and I'm wearing my aquilisaq or when I'm paddling in conditions I wear a conventional pfd, under my tuililk if I'm wearing it.

Just like anything else, it's best to use the right tool for the right job. There are a lot of situations where an inflatable is a good tool, and there are times when a foam pfd is a good tool. The whitewater people I'm getting involved with have never heard of inflatable pfds.

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