Kayaking in So.California - Kayak Fishing Adventures on Big Water’s Edge

JohnMckroidJr · 06-14-2021, 04:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Newyakfisher

IÂ’m gonna make sure I buy a life vest thanks for the feedback!

Inflatable Life vests are my favorites because of their small size. There are two types: Auto Inflatable and Manual Inflatable. Some people like the auto inflatable because it will auto inflate if they somehow become unconscious. I prefer manual, because it will not accidentally inflate when transiting surf, and sometimes it's better to keep the vest uninflated as it impedes your ability to swim.

Salty · 06-14-2021, 03:21 PM

I always wear my PFD. Nice dry place to keep my phone, clip a VHF radio or GoPro on and store stuff like chapstick, license/ID, snacks, etc. It's really not that bulky and really more of a convenience with all the extra storage. I thought about the inflatable PFD myself, but my biggest reason for wearing a PFD in the first place is the "what if" scenarios out of my control. What if I flip on a launch/landing and get knocked out? What if it's foggy and an ignorant boater runs into me and knocks me out? What if my buddy forgets to open the bail on his coffee grinder and whacks me on the head with a heavy lure and knocks me out? In all these scenarios, I'd probably be unable to inflate the PFD. And as John mentioned, I don't want an automatic one to be going off on me when I'm going through surf or rinsing it down or something. I use the NRS Chinook that I got at OEX with my first kayak. Never leave shore without it.

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06-14-2021, 03:21 PM	#2
Salty Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 437	I always wear my PFD. Nice dry place to keep my phone, clip a VHF radio or GoPro on and store stuff like chapstick, license/ID, snacks, etc. It's really not that bulky and really more of a convenience with all the extra storage. I thought about the inflatable PFD myself, but my biggest reason for wearing a PFD in the first place is the "what if" scenarios out of my control. What if I flip on a launch/landing and get knocked out? What if it's foggy and an ignorant boater runs into me and knocks me out? What if my buddy forgets to open the bail on his coffee grinder and whacks me on the head with a heavy lure and knocks me out? In all these scenarios, I'd probably be unable to inflate the PFD. And as John mentioned, I don't want an automatic one to be going off on me when I'm going through surf or rinsing it down or something. I use the NRS Chinook that I got at OEX with my first kayak. Never leave shore without it.