What is Buoyancy Aid or PFD?
A kayak Buoyancy Aid is an aid that helps you stay on the surface of the water, adding buoyancy to your own. It is called also PFD (Personal Flotation Device).
Unlike life jackets, which are used in open waters on ships and yachts, kayak PFD are easy to swim with. It is assumed that if you fall out of a kayak or canoe, you will have to swim to catch up with your watercraft and get back into it or swim towards the shore that is nearby or stay on the water long enough for help to come that is not far away. Inflatable life jackets or bulky vests with high buoyancy that are used in open water turn you on your back in the water and keep you relatively immobile until rescue arrives, even if it takes a long time.
PFDs for kayaking also differ from similar ones for general use e.g. for small boats, for jet skis, wind surfing, water skiing in two main ways:
- They are deeply cut in the shoulder and armpit area so as not to interfere with specific movements when kayaking.
- Their lower end is raised above the waist so as not to contact the spray skirt and the backrest and to prevent rotation of the torso when paddling.
While you can use kayak Buoyancy Aids for other water sports, the opposite is most often not true!
How to choose a PFD?
What you need to look out for when choosing a PFD is mostly:
- Size
- Intended use
- Safety Elements and Security Certificate
- Materials and design
How to choose the right size is indicated in the correspondence table in the description of each of our PFD.
When measuring:
- Loosen all the straps first and put on the vest
- Tighten all the straps, starting at the bottom (which is most important) and ending with the shoulder straps.
- The vest should fit snugly and tightly on you, without creating discomfort or preventing you from breathing.
- Let someone pull the vest up with the shoulder straps. If it comes out above your head, check if you have forgotten any strap and fasten it again. If the vest comes out of the head again, then you have taken too large a size.
PFD types
According to the intended use Buoyancy Aids can be conditionally defined as such:
- with universal or general application – for recreational kayaking. These are budget vests with relatively few extras and additional safety elements. They are a very good choice when using a sit-on-top kayak, canoe and SUP, for example.
- for fast water and kayaking expeditions in the sea. These vests have increased buoyancy (not less than 60 N), because highly aerated water, especially in the river, significantly reduces your own buoyancy. As a rule, on large kayak trips, you will find various extras useful, such as special purpose pockets, increased comfort (memory foam, ventilation, etc.), as well as additional safety elements.
- for touring. These are sturdy PFDs with pockets and optimal safety features, although not as extreme as kayak expedition vests.
- for kayak and canoe fishing. Large pockets and non-aggressive colors.
- children’s vests. They have special belts that pass between the legs so that the vest does not slip over the head. Children do not yet have a fully developed rib cage and shoulders that would prevent the vest from slipping over their head, even if it is fastened well at the waist!
Safety features
Safety features are, for example: belts for adjustment and fastening, reinforced shoulder straps for pulling overboard, reflecting elements, buckles and rings for securing accessories and equipment, pockets for warming hands, quick-release belt at the waist for towing with a rope from a lifeboat, a whistle, a pocket on the back for hydration bladder, etc. Kayak expedition vests are most richly equipped with safety features. The necessary safety features for the PFD depend on its intended use and the specific security and risk assessments conducted.
Certificates
All our vests are certified according to the standards imposed by the European Commission.
- EN 393: Rescue aid with buoyancy of 50 N for use in protected waters where bulkier vests would impede movement and would actually endanger the user more. Help is nearby, the user is conscious and can swim.
- EN ISO 1242-5 (replaces EN 393): Rescue aid with a buoyancy of not less than 50 N for use in protected waters. It applies in general to water sports.
- EN ISO 1242-6 specifies safety requirements and additional test methods for life jackets and special purpose aids listed as special purpose devices according to ISO 12402-6: 2006, in combination with the requirements set out in ISO 12402-2 to ISO 12402-5. The Directive applies to special-purpose devices for adults in general and to children under six years of age in part. It applies in particular to kayaking.
Materials and design
Materials and design have to do with durability and comfort. High-end and more extreme Buoyancy Aids are made of durable, wear-resistant fabrics. Different PFD have different arrangement of the foam blocks, looking for the effect of maximum ergonomics and comfort, but in general this does not affect the overall buoyancy. More belts mean more opportunities for optimal adjustment and fastening. Hidden seams, narrow shoulder straps (best lined with neoprene), hidden fastening straps (without direct contact with the skin), etc. are important for comfort. High-end vests are ventilated and contain memory foam, which allows the vest to be permanently fitted to your specific physique.
Keep in mind that most vests do not have IP67 waterproof pockets, they protect against splashes, but when swimming in the water, their contents will get wet. To protect sensitive equipment, use dry bags or a waterproof GSM case.
Caring for PFD:
- Don’t sit on the vest
- Rinse the vest thoroughly after use in salt water. Let it dry before putting it away and store it in a dry and ventilated place.
- Do not store the vest in direct sunlight
- Beach oil and creams can change color
- Check the condition of straps and zippers before use
- After years of use, test the PFD in shallow freshwater to check for lost buoyancy. Turn on your back and relax. Your mouth should be above the water.
