A:
Hello,
This is a high float pfd, so it will definitely keep you higher out of the
water. It's impossible to get a really high flotation pfd that isn't a
little bulky, compared to some of the Astral kayaking vests and what not
that are 16lb. I took this pfd on the middle fork of the salmon last year
in higher water rowing a cataraft and it was just fine for that, it's a
really nice pfd. Again, it has a bit more bulk in the chest, but wasn't
very restrictive in my rowing movement, but I mostly wanted this one for
the combination of high floatation, rescue vest features, and hand warmer
area (the tactical straps are awesome too, I attached my go-pro camera to
them along with some other things).
There is a high-float NRS pdf (can't remember the name, but it's a zip in
one) that has better movement and feels less bulky than this one does, so
for Kayaking I would probably recommend that vest, I really like that one
too (I used it on the same river a few years ago, my brother owns the vest
and I borrowed it).
I am assuming that you are doing some sort of open hard shell kayaking or
inflatable kayaking on an easy river or lake... I would ALSO definitely
recommend that you learn to swim at least with a vest on. If you're not in
big water, a high float pfd is not necessary.
Answered on 10/7/2012 by Anonymous