07-28-2007, 04:22 PM
[cool][#0000ff]While I am a big proponent of safety on the water, I have NEVER worn my PFD while tubing. I ALWAYS carry one, and not just because it is required. Like a coat on a warm day...it is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The float tubes I have jockeyed over the years have almost always had more than one air chamber. And, I am a powerful swimmer, even without fins. If my tube were to sink out from under me, while I was still wearing fins, I can lay over on my back and throw a rooster tail as I kick backwards.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In over 5 decades of tubing, I have never been in danger of having my craft sink...nor have I known anybody who suffered more than an inconvenience from a soft or leaky air chamber. The only tubing catastrophes of which I am aware happened when tubers were run over by big boats or personal water craft. If you get hit by a big boat, the main value of the PFD will be to keep your lifeless corpse afloat for your heirs.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I always wear a fishing vest. That's my style. I cannot and will not wear a PFD too. They make some that have pockets and d rings for danglies, but they are not FISHING VESTS. And, yes, I have a set of SOSpenders. They are light and do not take up much room. But, you are not supposed to wear them under a fishing vest or other clothing...and I do not want to wear one over my fishing vest.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In short, I still believe that having a PFD on board is a (potentially) good idea. In reality, I have never known of any tuber or tooner that has ever had to use one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Kinda reminds me of the guy who was sprinkling pink sand on the driveway in front of his house. When a neighbor asked what he was doing he replied that he was spreading elephant repellent. When the neighbor reminded him that there were no elephants in the neighborhood to worry about, his response was "See...it works."[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The float tubes I have jockeyed over the years have almost always had more than one air chamber. And, I am a powerful swimmer, even without fins. If my tube were to sink out from under me, while I was still wearing fins, I can lay over on my back and throw a rooster tail as I kick backwards.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In over 5 decades of tubing, I have never been in danger of having my craft sink...nor have I known anybody who suffered more than an inconvenience from a soft or leaky air chamber. The only tubing catastrophes of which I am aware happened when tubers were run over by big boats or personal water craft. If you get hit by a big boat, the main value of the PFD will be to keep your lifeless corpse afloat for your heirs.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I always wear a fishing vest. That's my style. I cannot and will not wear a PFD too. They make some that have pockets and d rings for danglies, but they are not FISHING VESTS. And, yes, I have a set of SOSpenders. They are light and do not take up much room. But, you are not supposed to wear them under a fishing vest or other clothing...and I do not want to wear one over my fishing vest.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In short, I still believe that having a PFD on board is a (potentially) good idea. In reality, I have never known of any tuber or tooner that has ever had to use one.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Kinda reminds me of the guy who was sprinkling pink sand on the driveway in front of his house. When a neighbor asked what he was doing he replied that he was spreading elephant repellent. When the neighbor reminded him that there were no elephants in the neighborhood to worry about, his response was "See...it works."[/#0000ff]
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