The river has been my livelihood since the early 1980s, primarily as a river guide and outfitter, but also as a retailer and manager of a whitewater specialty shop.
In addition to equipment, they offered advanced riverboat training, certified swiftwater rescue classes, and sponsored several levels of wilderness medical training. Regularly wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) has always been part of my job.
Admittedly, I am also a “calculated risk taker” with a passion for wilderness and big whitewater. Living for the next time, I would nose the bow of my drift boat onto a watery trough, then ride the slick into some of the biggest whitewater in North America.
On most of those floats, thoughtful preparation and boating skills were enough to carry me over haystacks of whitewater, successfully reaching the calm water below. But on a couple of humbling occasions, I missed an oar stroke and capsized my boat.
I am forever thankful that my PFD was snugly strapped to my body, and I can say with all certainty. That I’m only here today because my life jacket saved my life. … But you don’t have to be on a deep wilderness river to go for a life-endangering swim. You can just as easily transition from boater to swimmer, within sight of the Ruth Bascom Path. An ordeal that, without a PFD, could become the most harrowing ordeal of your life.
Rivers are dynamic, constantly changing and moving. Water from the riverbed to the surface stratifies into layers that move at different speeds.
As it flows over rocks, it can create subsurface currents that may pull a swimmer under, making drowning a serious risk. Humans, being only slightly less dense than fresh water, struggle to float without assistance.
In the dynamic flow of a river and without a life jacket, survival chances are significantly reduced.
Of course, any PFD is better than no PFD, and there are all kinds available with different numeric ratings. But the “Type III” is the most commonly used PFD in recreational river rafting, kayaking, and canoeing. They offer a good balance of buoyancy, comfort, and mobility, generally providing the user with 15.5-17 pounds of flotation.
A Type III personal flotation device (PFD) has approximately 70% of its flotation in the front and 30% in the back, designed to keep an exhausted or unconscious person face-up in the water. While basic Type III PFDs are suitable for calm lakes and ponds, those designed for rivers incorporate features to prevent slipping off in turbulent conditions and are made with Coast Guard-certified, durable materials. They also serve as anchoring points for rescues and can lift a person when fitted correctly.
Historically, women often used men’s PFDs; however, many manufacturers now offer women-specific designs. Children will outgrow PFDs quickly, so it’s better to get size-appropriate ones rather than hoping they will grow into them. For the best fit and options, visit a paddling specialty shop. Remember, a PFD can only save your life if you wear it.
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