I've seen waist belt PFDs used for SUP e.g
https://www.escape-watersports.co.uk/eq ... bkEALw_wcB
Has anyone tried one of these kiting? guess it would have to sit above the harness or something
I think the extra floatation would help, my own experience of being trapped in heavy surf is it takes alot of effort to stay on the surface breathing. Exhaustion and panic sets in very quickly when you realise you are helpless and trapped by currents and endless sets of powerful waves - this is when extra floatation could save your life in my opinion. Only negative would be you will find it harder to dive under big waves. I cant imagine what being trapped in bindings you cant get off and being pummelled by waves would feel like, and if that is what happened here then others should learn from this tragedy.deniska wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 3:55 pmI have a similar belt vest.
I only put it on in serious conditions (below waist harness). No idea if it would help a lot or not.
It should in principle but I keep it as last resort.
The bad thing is that since it has Velcros it semi opens after a crash and does not look as neat as on the pics.
I don't completely agree..RickI wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:19 pmI am sorry to hear of both fatalities, strength to their family and friends. It is terrible hear.
Unless it is a special case, I wouldn't recommend kiters use inflatable belt PFDs. There are intrinsic PFDs that are in place and work whenever needed and those that require manipulation, donning, inflation to work. In an emergency particularly in cold water, you really want the flotation without delay or thought, screwing around or possible problems. Throw in breaking waves, line tangles, high current, looping kite, etc. etc. and life may get too interesting to even manage properly activating an inflatable belt PFD. Plus, the intrinsic PFD's also add some warmth and a place to secure your Keys in some cases. Given the frequency of strong water impacts, Type I PFD's that float you automatically head up, come with risks if they use a neck flotation collar. Impact vests have a lot to offer, aside from NOT automatically floating you head up. They are less bulky, may provide superior impact protection to ribs than Type I PFD's. I have used the NP High Hook aid for over a decade with good results. There are still other products out there in the way of intrinsic vests worth considering. Going without any flotation aid, is a bad idea which may come back to bite you in a severe way some unlucky day.
deniska wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 7:50 pmI don't completely agree..RickI wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 5:19 pmI am sorry to hear of both fatalities, strength to their family and friends. It is terrible hear.
Unless it is a special case, I wouldn't recommend kiters use inflatable belt PFDs. There are intrinsic PFDs that are in place and work whenever needed and those that require manipulation, donning, inflation to work. In an emergency particularly in cold water, you really want the flotation without delay or thought, screwing around or possible problems. Throw in breaking waves, line tangles, high current, looping kite, etc. etc. and life may get too interesting to even manage properly activating an inflatable belt PFD. Plus, the intrinsic PFD's also add some warmth and a place to secure your Keys in some cases. Given the frequency of strong water impacts, Type I PFD's that float you automatically head up, come with risks if they use a neck flotation collar. Impact vests have a lot to offer, aside from NOT automatically floating you head up. They are less bulky, may provide superior impact protection to ribs than Type I PFD's. I have used the NP High Hook aid for over a decade with good results. There are still other products out there in the way of intrinsic vests worth considering. Going without any flotation aid, is a bad idea which may come back to bite you in a severe way some unlucky day.
Proper PFDs are just that they keep you afloat and are terrible for swimming and bodydragging...
Many self rescue scenarios rely on active swimming or bodydragging..
What good that PFD, if it slowed you down in the swim against current and you got pushed out into open ocean?
Will they find you in time? who knows..
or if you could not get your board back cause you get worse angles while bodydragging? and the list goes on..
Can you do board offs in one?
now, inflatable belt is not that intrusive during your kiting and self-rescue up to the point when you decide to actually use it as all other options are exhausted.
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