455 posts
does a pfd offer as much protection as a impact vest ( or close enough)
what advantages are their of a impact vest over pfd?
thanks.
greg
WA
1222 posts
impact vests are designed purelly for crashes(impacts)
where as a pfd is designed only for floatation. it will help with the force of the impact and is better than nothing.
QLD
144 posts
PFD's are great if you're not a strong swimmer or need to get your fitness up a notch. Anything that offers protection is better than something that doesn't. However I find PFD's and waist harnesses dont always go together.
I think a PFD is great for starting out, and an imact vest for when you're more advanced, especially if your toying with kiteloops. Your ribs will thank you.
But the other protection that's important is eyecare, headcare, sun protection and up here, Stinger suits. By the time you get everything on, it's time to pack it all up again, but there's a certain type of confidence in the water that comes from knowing you've done all you can if things go south.
Add into that a camelback and an MP3 player, I'm glad I'm generally the only kiter at my launch.
It looks really stupid.
WA
204 posts
I learnt to kite using a PFD used in white water sports and it offered floatation as well as very good protection better than my current impact vest. Although the PFD is a little more bulky but not by much.
WA
1 posts
buy a impact vest which is also a PFD - several brands available
NSW
105 posts
The Jetpilot impact vest is rated as a PFD-3.
They offer heaps of flotation and keep you feeling good after having a nasty wipeout. Fitting very close to the body they help keep a bit of warmth under your wettie when you have to do those long self-rescues in the middle of winter.
Goodwinds
Matt Snowdon
WA
1222 posts
Dakine do a kite series impact vest. jake gordan just brought one and he likes it. used it on the kicker said doesnt feel a thing. also seems pretty floaty. it has a harness built in. the harness is a cross between the pyro and tabu. being all one jacket it wont ride over each other. check them out on the dakine website under kitesurfing. they are called impact harness.
