Look, I get it. Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) aren’t quite high fashion, and in the summer they can be really hot to wear. I don’t like the tan lines I get when I wear mine for an afternoon on the water. But Steve and I won’t paddle without them, and that’s not just because Florida law requires adults to have PFDs in their kayaks with them.
Let’s get the legalities out of the way first, and then we’ll deal with the practicalities of PFDs in a kayak.
Florida Law requires that if you’re in a kayak or canoe (and sometimes on a paddleboard) you must have on board a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD, Type I, II, or III. If a child under the age of 6 is on board, that child must wear the PFD – merely having it present is not enough (but even though a 6-year old is not required by law to wear the PFD, you may decide to require the child to wear it!) Additionally, the PFDs must be in good condition.
There are some interesting statistics available at the FWC Wear It safety campaign page. In an average year, nearly 2/3 of Florida’s boating fatalities will be men over the age of 30 with over 100 hours of experience on the water. From this, we can see that experience does not negate the need for a PFD. PFDs are also available for pets!
So how do you choose a PFD? First, let’s talk about the types that the U.S.Coast Guard requires. The PFD type may be found on the label of the PFD or printed directly on it.
- Type I PFDs offer great protection and will turn most, but not all, unconscious people face up in the water. They offer the best body heat retention, and will keep your face higher up out of the water, but can be bulky and uncomfortable. I have not been able to find information about inflatable Type I PFDs.
- Type II PFDs are good for kayakers who paddle in near shore areas where the chances of quick rescue are high. Do not depend on a Type II PFD if you often paddle over rough water. If you lose consciousness, there is no guarantee that a Type II PFD will turn you face up, and it is likely that you will need to tread water to keep your face out of the water. On the other hand, the Type II PFD will probably be more comfortable than the Type I. Inflatable Type II PFDs are available, both manual and automatic. Inflatables may be more expensive than inherently buoyant PFDs, and you must remember that the inflatable PFD will provide NO buoyancy until it is activated – if you have lost consciousness, your inflatable PFD may not be helpful.
- Type III PFDs are only recommended for supervised events such as regattas. They are not designed to turn an unconscious person face up. They are much lighter and more comfortable than Type II or Type I PFDs, but not as buoyant and limited in their use. Inflatable Type III PFDs are available.
Excellent advice about selecting the proper size and adjusting a PFD can be found here. Proper adjustment is important so that you will not slip out of your PFD — and a good reason not to wear your PFD without fully fastening it. I would recommend selecting a PFD with a place to permanently mount a safety whistle, and reflective strips or patches to increase your visibility. Once you’ve selected your PFD, you’ll want to make sure to inspect it before each outing. Look for rips, holes or significant wear; waterlogging (a waterlogged PFD can weigh you down more than keeping you afloat!), or other damage. If you are not sure your PFD is safe, assume it is not and replace it before you get on the water.
If you routinely kayak with a pet, you may want to consider selecting a PFD for your animal companion. The first time I took Max in a kayak, he jumped out to chase a duck that had taken flight in front of us. I was able to grab the handle of his PFD and get him back in the boat quickly – and since Max hates being wet, he was glad to be out of the water! Make sure the PFD you select fits the animal well, has a handle to help you get the animal back into your boat (I think this is especially important in fresh water, where gators may be present!), has a leash ring for walking safely out of the water, and has a reflective stripe which makes your pet easier to see.
Now that you’re properly wearing your PFD, don’t forget to follow other safety recommendations! Make every day on the water a great day on the water by creating a culture of safety around your boat.