Do You Wear A Life Jacket When Canoeing

Terry · 12-10-2011, 09:43 PM

I can't swim well, so I like to wear a vest just in case. We usually paddle around the edge of lakes and streams but there's always that one spot where you have to cross deep, open water. I feel a lot more secure with my vest on. Do you wear a life jacket or vest when you canoe?

ponderosa · 12-11-2011, 01:03 AM

Yes, always. I'm not a good swimmer. My husband is an excellent swimmer, and he also wears a PFD in a canoe. It goes without saying that our little girls always wear a PFD.

LoveTheWater · 12-11-2011, 06:34 AM

It really depends on where we are canoeing. Most of the time, yes we do. Especially if we are in the river. The currents can get pretty strong and I'm not the best swimmer around. Always best to be safe.

wvbreamfisherman · 12-11-2011, 06:50 AM

Yes- even on shallow streams. It just might keep you from drowning if you dump and hit your head.

Lamebeaver · 12-11-2011, 08:00 AM

yes

That's all I was going to say, but I can't post a three letter response

wvbreamfisherman · 12-11-2011, 08:26 AM

LOL Lamebeaver- I know- I tried the same thing.

Pathfinder1 · 12-11-2011, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvbreamfisherman

Yes- even on shallow streams. It just might keep you from drowning if you dump and hit your head.

Bream has an interesting point there.

Whenever I'm afloat...unless I was aboard a ship that wasn't at battle stations...I ALWAYS wear a life jacket. And why not?

All too often I've heard of drownings which would undoubtedly not have happened if life jackets were properly worn.

Don't be a stastical fragment...wear it...!!

Lorax · 12-11-2011, 12:54 PM

I'm an excellent swimmer and I am very comfortable and confident in most any type of watercraft, be it canoe or kayak.

But all that doesn't matter and Yes, I wear one at all times. They are cut right to not be bulky. There are others made to inflate with the pull of a cord that are so small, you would hardly notice them on you. There is no reason NOT to wear the proper safety gear.

Lucy · 12-11-2011, 03:41 PM

Yes we always wear our life jackets when we canoe or kayak. We have never tipped our canoe, but we have gone over in the kayak, and I was glad to have the life vest on.

Newanderthal · 12-11-2011, 07:01 PM

I'm terrified of drowning. I get nervous in large bodies of water (small lakes, large ponds, rivers, etc.). It's almost a phobia. I almost drown when I was four and my mom had to pump the water out of my lungs. Been horrified by water ever sense. Can't even swim in the ocean.

But I love to canoe. So I wear it and it makes me feel a little better.