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PFD usage / Appropriate response to paddlers?


kayak278

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Hi all....

 

This past weekend, I, my wife, and our 4 year old son (in his own SOF) went on a 4 hour paddling trip here in Michigan.  All three of us wore our PFDs....my rule is, if you're in a kayak, on the water, you must wear a PFD if you want to paddle with me.  During our trip, we saw at least 25-30 people in their recreational kayaks not wearing their PFDs.  The water was definitely deep enough to be over a person's head.  

 

My question is this.....what do you all do when you encounter people not wearing their PFDs.  Do you say anything, or do you remain silent on the issue and just give them a friendly "hello"? Do we as ambassadors of the kayaking community have a duty to inform people how important it is to wear the proper safety equipment?  How have you broached the subject with complete strangers when you've encountered this?  I talked to one kayak outfitter at the takeout who doesn't see the need to have his clients wear their PFDs.  

 

Happy paddling!

Matt

 

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Pet peeve and so glad to hear you wear yours. But I think it is like arguing Politics, your not going to change most folks minds. I think it is stupid to paddle without one but I am the first to tell you that they are miserably hot in the summer and what most people have are uncomfortable to paddle in. So it is an uphill battle.

 

In my opinion, and that is worth what it costs you, unless it comes up and there is a good teachable moment, your wasting your time. No one wants to be lectured too and that is how it usually comes across. And with stupid outfitters out there that the clients assume know what they are talking about, it just makes it worse.

 

We loose to many around  here in boating accidents that a PFD would have prevented. I wish there was a way to get this point across to them.

 

 

 

 

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