Bigbend Area Paddlers' Network

Immersion Research Flack Jacket Almost all touring pfds are uncomfortable - very uncomfortable. Because they are, they are too often not even worn. Which is preferable, a pfd you won't wear because it is uncomfortable or one you will wear but that is less than the safest thing around? I prefer the half safe, full comfort option. I got an Immersion Research Flack Jacket because it is so comfortable that in virtually all conditions I can hardly tell I'm wearing it. It is NOT U.S. Coast guard approved but I figure the pfd police will not be checking anytime soon. If you are unconscious it will definitely NOT keep you afloat with your face out of the water but I figure when I am in the water unconscious I am pretty much headed for the great paddling trip in the sky anyway. It has no cool pockets or other gear storage stuff on it but that is one of the reasons that it has so little bulk and interferes so little with my movement and comfort. I find space for all my junk on the boat and just hang a knife and a whistle from a pfd strap. I don't figure I need my pockets full of survival gear since, if I am in the water without my boat, I am headed for the great paddling trip in the sky anyway. It was not intended by the designer/manufacturer as a touring vest but so what? It is a bit of a pain to put on and take off because it is very fitted and hard to pull over your head but it is well worth it. Because it is so unbulky and well fitted, it makes someone a tad overweight like myself look slimmer than everyone around me if they are actually wearing their heavy pfds, (which unfortunately they often are not). It is stylishly gray so that big freighter steaming down on me will not see me but I figure if I am directly in the path of a freighter I'm probably headed for the great paddling trip in the sky anyway. Finally, it is less expensive than most good touring vests. I'm taking my chances. Michael Lampman lampman@newact.com Copywrite © 2002 Michael Lampman All rights reserved

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