Why not just have one evening at a club session (you don't have to join) you will be able to put on a bouyancy aid, jump into the swimming pool and see what happens, question answered.
Sink or float, plus if anything were to go wrong there would be someone there to drag you out.
Plus I don't think 'join a club' is the the stock answer it's the sensible answer
Perhaps you are right. The only way to find out is to try one on, go to a swimming pool, jump in the deep end and see if I drown
I am not trying to be awkward though. Even you said initially a buoyancy aid would keep me afloat and then changed your mind and said it was just an 'aid'. So there obviously isn't a direct answer and depends on a swimmers/non-swimmers ability/weight which can only be solved by testing one. The safety websites say buoyancy aids are just aids to swimmers so it looks like I need a proper lifejacket...or polish up on my swimming
Hi Bob
just to murky the waters a bit more, I do a little bit canoeing and when starting outlooked into whether to go for a lifejacket or bouyancy aid. Everyone I know uses a bouyancy aid.
Whilst its true that a life jacket will support you face up, if you end up in the water you are less likely to be able to affect a self rescue due to the bouyancy being primarily on the front of the jacket, also there is the possibility of being pinned face up under an upturned boat.
Both lifjackets and BA's come in a range of ratings 50N ,70N,etc for use according to likely conditions (and body masses) and though I've not come across a BA higher than 100N, lifejackets for use offshore go significantly higher. Its also worth bearing in mind that the bouyancy of jackets can deterioate over time and should be tested occasionally.
Don't know if you decided on which inflatable to go for but we used a Stearns Backcountry and its been great fun, still usually take this one when I go camping.
When I last had a canoe (a stable seagoing type) I was sold a bouyancy aid by the shop that sold me the canoe and as far as I was blssfully aware it would have kept me afloat had my canoe capsized. However, I considered myself a reasonable swimmer at that time and I was young and carefree anyway so it didn't worry me too much...and I never had cause to test it.
Now that I am older, less carefree, and not very good at swimming, all I am trying to find out is whether or not a buoyancy aid will keep a non-swimmer afloat. I don't really care whether it keeps me on my back, on my front, or my legs in the air providing it keeps my head on top of the water and not under it
Most canoeists as you know wear a buoyancy aid because lifejackets tend to be too bulky unless you use the inflatable type which aren't really suitable for canoeing for the reasons you stated. The problem I am encountering is that if you look at the advice re buoyancy aids they all seem to state 'for swimmers' and it's not until you get into the realms of 'lifejackets' that they start referring to non-swimmers. I assume by this that a buoyancy aid is simply that...an aid...and a wearer still requires the ability to be able to swim and keep himself afloat.
Yes, I have looked at the Stearns Backcountry. They seem to be very popular and the type of thing I am looking for, however, I will probably be canoeing alone so a single seater may be better. I was looking at a Challenger K1 but they look a bit like a kids inflatable
YES were in to sea kayaking we have two perception horizon tandem sea kayaks and our daughters love it .there 10 and 6 . we started out on river lakes and canels and now do regualer trip on the sea . Some training for your self would be a good idea and a club to tag a long with on your first few sea trips . Get the right kit the right advice and know how to use it and when not to . IF you do get in to sea kayaking theres some exellent guide books Welsh sea kayaking etc they take the hard work out of planning a trip
Yes buoyancy aids do keep you afloat if you get the right one for your wieght but not face up so you can still swim most life jackets are disigned to roll you on to you back to keep your face out of the water even if your out cold or injured
Thank you Robnchar...that was the question I have never been able to get a direct answer to. The safety websites still sound a little ambiguous on that point but as you and others have said, perhaps it would be best to try one and see for myself. Obviously weight is an issue.
We have Sea kayaking or touring bouyancy aids and our girls have life jackets we have been looking for a new bouyancy aid for our eldist and we were advized that white water bouyancys aids are more bouyant depending on type .... So all depends on how you intend to use it and how confident you are in the water .
Well, at 63 years of age I will not be kayaking down white water mountain streams...more a stately cruise along the upper reaches of the Thames or other brackish waters in a very stable inflatable canoe. I do not intend to even get my feet wet but should there be a sudden tidal wave and I end up in the drink I would like to know I won't sink and will be able to doggy paddle back to my canoe and get in it.
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Topic: Kayaking
or float
, plus if anything were to go wrong there would be someone there to drag you out.
