Good overview Stevie. You hear all kinds of weird arguments about this issue, but ultimately it's quite simple: PFDs save lives and if everyone was wearing them, mortality rates on the water would drop sharply. We can all do our part, for others and for ourselves.
IF YOU'RE ON THE WATER YOU SHOULD BE IN A LIFE JACKET. Nice one Stevie 👍 No offence Stevie but should point out there is a big difference between a PFD and a life jacket. A PFD will keep you floating but if you are unconscious in the water you will probably drowned, because a PFD won't turn you onto your back or keep you on your back, unlike a life jacket which is designed to keep you on your back and your head out of the water.
I used to do a bit of boating solo, small Tender RIB and speed boat. Always put a PFD lifejacket on before I got on the boat, even before launching. It only takes a few seconds to put one on when you do not need it, but a lifetime when you may need it "when drowning".
On comfort front, it’s important to note that there are design features that make them more targeted to specific activities. Your kayak buoyancy aid is different to my sailing one which would likely not be as comfortable in a kayak. Final point, lifejackets are generally inflatable and are designed to keep you afloat even when unconscious and they have a lot of buoyancy. Buoyancy aids (such as yours) are have less buoyancy and are designed to assist you but are typically easier to manoeuvre in in the water eg when you capsize. They won’t, for example, roll you into your back.
Alright alright, you’ve guilted me into it… I find now that I’m a dad, my perspective has completely changed. Prior, when it was only my safety in question I was a little less diligent. Now that I have the responsibility for a tiny human, my mortality has become far more apparent. Thanks for the reminder good sir!
It was exactly the same when I became a dad, it makes you more risk averse. Plus it's good to get the boys into the habit of being safety conscious around water
Great information Stevie. It beggars belief when I see people on waterways without a PFD, but crazily more so when they have one & don't use it. I've heard their reasons many many times, the most bizarre is that 'its not a good look' talk about vanity over safety. On a recent trip I even saw a couple on their SUP's both venturing out to sea, yet with their PFD's just lying on their boards. They must think they'll have time to put them on, during an emergency & scrambling in the water. Common sense isn't that common & it shows many times over.
On the sea it is especially crucial, because people don't realise that even on a calm day a freak wave can come out of nowhere and wipe you off your board
I always carry a mobile phone and a Personal location beacon incase there is no phone signal. The other reason for wearing a PFD is that it sets a good example to children. You might not have children with you but it easier for a parent to be able to show a child that grown-ups wear them. I remember having an argument with my daughter when she was about eight for the need to wear a pdf. When we got back from the seaside it was reported that four children had drowned in seperate incidents over Bank Holiday weekend.
I have two PFDs and one is more of a generic one that I bought from ebay years ago,for the wife and kids they are great. they fit them well. I did once have trouble breathing and it wasn't till later on I realised that It had ridden up and the lower strap was around the bottom of my ribs restricting how much I could breath in, it was the one and only time this happened. The reason I bought another was down to buying a Touring Kayak and needing a the back to be that bit higher and less flotation foam around my side, allowing for freer movement. It wasn't til I forgot it the other week and had to use on of the Club once did I realise just how unrestrictive it really is. I also used it as a opportunity to uprate the level of buoyancy as I am no lightweight. Mine has a place for a drink bladder and two front pockets, sadly that will not take my phone case, so that gets attached to my Kayak in the snack bin. or poked down the front if using a Club Kayak. When it comes to replacing it in time I will be looking at buying one that has the same features, just with bigger pockets on the front. With regards to the knife as most are sold as Safety Knives or River Knives then as long as you have good reason to have them upon you and the fact that you are carrying out an activity where it may be needed. They are normally needed more in a rescue situation by the rescuer rather then the victim. As you have mentioned they are more often used to cut fishing lines than anything else. Another great video with an important message.
Thanks for the video Stevie, you also seem to have a wisle on the side of your PFD t 0:01 hat you haven't mentioned. Maybe an opportunity for another video about safety.
@@StevieWyatt If you do make a video Like Fred has suggested then a topic that is also important and comes under safety is clothing, what to wear and what not to wear incase you end up going for a swim.
Clothing is something that as a relatively new paddler I still don’t know a lot about. I joined a club at the start of the summer but they didn’t really advise anything other than wet boots, though upon asking more I do have a long John wetsuit now too. Would love to have a comprehensive breakdown of suggested clothing per season/temperatures - summer is easy with warm weather and swim shorts, but what about other weathers?
Whether I'm a good paddler or not, that's for my viewers to decide. However, I know I'm a bad swimmer so a PFD is an absolute must. This year I upgraded to one that is a bit shorter but at the same time it has a bit thicker foam. It doesn't rub off the coamings of my kayaks anymore. The problem with saying "Hi" is over the last 2 years I haven't managed to catch you anywhere around, and I paddle in the same areas, heheh. 🙃 Maybe one day... 😉
I Always where one too, I just don’t know why you wouldn’t when wearing one really isn’t an issue. I have always thought your decathlon one looks super practical and snazzy
People only get why they important when they see crap that happens where it saves their or friends lives . I’ve seen feet lodge in sunken trees and a mate roll hitting his head on a rock just under the water . All times the vest has helped keep head up like it should . Don’t carry a locking knife as in an emergency you have to fold it out and when it locks it’s illegal . Better with a fixed blade attached scabbard to the vest . It’s not illegal then as it has purpose solely for safety . Knives are illegal to carry with no purpose to carry them . Knives are legal to carry when it’s a point of safety , ie commercial divers . Always the strongest argument when dealing with police about having a knife on your vest is it’s not illegal to carry when attached to your equipment used for safety only . Also helps to sharpen them and thin coat with a wax . Protects the edge to remain sharp
The knife I have is a specific kayak one from a pro shop, it's a great knife, well designed. I consider it legal because I would only ever use it in the boat, I'd never walk down the street with it or anything. A bit like a diving knife. Would be very easy to prove in court it's legality. Fixed blade in a scabard is great for rigids, but if you paddle inflatables and it falls out or you drop it accidentally, you can pop your boat. I'll do another video about rescue knives and the best options for different types of boat and different type of places that people paddle. Lots to consider!
The argument to me is like cycle helmets. Just bloody wear it. It's not hard work. As for knives almost every thing is legal when you have a legitimate reason and you're not in a public place, such as a town centre. Otherwise why would places like go outdoors and military surplus places sell bigger knives. I have a mora knife, definitely not legal as far as the law is concerned but of it's a tool for bushcraft then it's all good. All about context.
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Good overview Stevie. You hear all kinds of weird arguments about this issue, but ultimately it's quite simple: PFDs save lives and if everyone was wearing them, mortality rates on the water would drop sharply. We can all do our part, for others and for ourselves.
Exactly!
IF YOU'RE ON THE WATER YOU SHOULD BE IN A LIFE JACKET.
Nice one Stevie 👍
No offence Stevie but should point out there is a big difference between a PFD and a life jacket. A PFD will keep you floating but if you are unconscious in the water you will probably drowned, because a PFD won't turn you onto your back or keep you on your back, unlike a life jacket which is designed to keep you on your back and your head out of the water.
I used to do a bit of boating solo, small Tender RIB and speed boat. Always put a PFD lifejacket on before I got on the boat, even before launching. It only takes a few seconds to put one on when you do not need it, but a lifetime when you may need it "when drowning".
Exactly
On comfort front, it’s important to note that there are design features that make them more targeted to specific activities. Your kayak buoyancy aid is different to my sailing one which would likely not be as comfortable in a kayak. Final point, lifejackets are generally inflatable and are designed to keep you afloat even when unconscious and they have a lot of buoyancy. Buoyancy aids (such as yours) are have less buoyancy and are designed to assist you but are typically easier to manoeuvre in in the water eg when you capsize. They won’t, for example, roll you into your back.
Alright alright, you’ve guilted me into it… I find now that I’m a dad, my perspective has completely changed. Prior, when it was only my safety in question I was a little less diligent. Now that I have the responsibility for a tiny human, my mortality has become far more apparent.
Thanks for the reminder good sir!
It was exactly the same when I became a dad, it makes you more risk averse. Plus it's good to get the boys into the habit of being safety conscious around water
Great information Stevie.
It beggars belief when I see people on waterways without a PFD, but crazily more so when they have one & don't use it.
I've heard their reasons many many times, the most bizarre is that 'its not a good look' talk about vanity over safety.
On a recent trip I even saw a couple on their SUP's both venturing out to sea, yet with their PFD's just lying on their boards.
They must think they'll have time to put them on, during an emergency & scrambling in the water.
Common sense isn't that common & it shows many times over.
On the sea it is especially crucial, because people don't realise that even on a calm day a freak wave can come out of nowhere and wipe you off your board
I always carry a mobile phone and a Personal location beacon incase there is no phone signal.
The other reason for wearing a PFD is that it sets a good example to children. You might not have children with you but it easier for a parent to be able to show a child that grown-ups wear them.
I remember having an argument with my daughter when she was about eight for the need to wear a pdf. When we got back from the seaside it was reported that four children had drowned in seperate incidents over Bank Holiday weekend.
I have two PFDs and one is more of a generic one that I bought from ebay years ago,for the wife and kids they are great. they fit them well. I did once have trouble breathing and it wasn't till later on I realised that It had ridden up and the lower strap was around the bottom of my ribs restricting how much I could breath in, it was the one and only time this happened. The reason I bought another was down to buying a Touring Kayak and needing a the back to be that bit higher and less flotation foam around my side, allowing for freer movement. It wasn't til I forgot it the other week and had to use on of the Club once did I realise just how unrestrictive it really is. I also used it as a opportunity to uprate the level of buoyancy as I am no lightweight. Mine has a place for a drink bladder and two front pockets, sadly that will not take my phone case, so that gets attached to my Kayak in the snack bin. or poked down the front if using a Club Kayak. When it comes to replacing it in time I will be looking at buying one that has the same features, just with bigger pockets on the front.
With regards to the knife as most are sold as Safety Knives or River Knives then as long as you have good reason to have them upon you and the fact that you are carrying out an activity where it may be needed. They are normally needed more in a rescue situation by the rescuer rather then the victim. As you have mentioned they are more often used to cut fishing lines than anything else.
Another great video with an important message.
Thanks so much 🙏
Yeah I might make a more detailed video about rescue knives. Good points
Yes, they are all the rage at dinner parties this year.
I literally never take it off!
Thanks for the video Stevie, you also seem to have a wisle on the side of your PFD t 0:01 hat you haven't mentioned. Maybe an opportunity for another video about safety.
Thanks! Yes that's another thing always lashed to me. Yeah I think this calls for another video 🙂
@@StevieWyatt If you do make a video Like Fred has suggested then a topic that is also important and comes under safety is clothing, what to wear and what not to wear incase you end up going for a swim.
Clothing is something that as a relatively new paddler I still don’t know a lot about. I joined a club at the start of the summer but they didn’t really advise anything other than wet boots, though upon asking more I do have a long John wetsuit now too. Would love to have a comprehensive breakdown of suggested clothing per season/temperatures - summer is easy with warm weather and swim shorts, but what about other weathers?
@@TheXfoxUK Great suggestion
Whether I'm a good paddler or not, that's for my viewers to decide. However, I know I'm a bad swimmer so a PFD is an absolute must.
This year I upgraded to one that is a bit shorter but at the same time it has a bit thicker foam. It doesn't rub off the coamings of my kayaks anymore.
The problem with saying "Hi" is over the last 2 years I haven't managed to catch you anywhere around, and I paddle in the same areas, heheh. 🙃
Maybe one day... 😉
I'm back out on the river a bit more than I was the last 18 months!
I have the same PFD with the pockets and water bladder storage the main factor. Oh plus it colour coordinates with the x500
I think it was my gateway to the X500 series
@@StevieWyatt Cheap intex K1 and seeing your x500 videos were my gateway to it.. You got a lot to answer for ! :)
Great video as always. Have you made a video about how to find nice rivers/canals to paddle? If not I'd love to see that
Thanks Conor, always looking for new ideas for videos and that's a good one. I'll get on it
I Always where one too, I just don’t know why you wouldn’t when wearing one really isn’t an issue. I have always thought your decathlon one looks super practical and snazzy
I'm always surprised in social media discussions about PFD's, at the amount of people that admit to not wearing them
People only get why they important when they see crap that happens where it saves their or friends lives . I’ve seen feet lodge in sunken trees and a mate roll hitting his head on a rock just under the water . All times the vest has helped keep head up like it should . Don’t carry a locking knife as in an emergency you have to fold it out and when it locks it’s illegal . Better with a fixed blade attached scabbard to the vest . It’s not illegal then as it has purpose solely for safety . Knives are illegal to carry with no purpose to carry them . Knives are legal to carry when it’s a point of safety , ie commercial divers . Always the strongest argument when dealing with police about having a knife on your vest is it’s not illegal to carry when attached to your equipment used for safety only . Also helps to sharpen them and thin coat with a wax . Protects the edge to remain sharp
The knife I have is a specific kayak one from a pro shop, it's a great knife, well designed. I consider it legal because I would only ever use it in the boat, I'd never walk down the street with it or anything. A bit like a diving knife. Would be very easy to prove in court it's legality.
Fixed blade in a scabard is great for rigids, but if you paddle inflatables and it falls out or you drop it accidentally, you can pop your boat. I'll do another video about rescue knives and the best options for different types of boat and different type of places that people paddle. Lots to consider!
🙌🙌👍👍
The argument to me is like cycle helmets. Just bloody wear it. It's not hard work. As for knives almost every thing is legal when you have a legitimate reason and you're not in a public place, such as a town centre. Otherwise why would places like go outdoors and military surplus places sell bigger knives. I have a mora knife, definitely not legal as far as the law is concerned but of it's a tool for bushcraft then it's all good. All about context.