Which kayak vest to choose?
Today we are going to give you some simple tips so that you hesitate a little less when choosing between the different life jackets the one that is useful for you to fish aboard your kayak.
Our main advice is that when choosing a good fishing vest, it is that it provides you with security, utility, and comfort. These are the most important characteristics when selecting a good vest.
Among the safety elements that you must carry in the fishing kayak, the life jacket is essential. It is an essential element to practice kayak fishing, although it is somewhat uncomfortable to wear, you always have to wear it. In the market, you have a multitude of vests to choose from, but basically, they are classified into 3 groups:
- Buoyancy aid life jackets
- Special buoyancy aid life jackets
- Lifevest
Buoyancy aid life jackets
Kayak fishermen generally wear a buoyancy aid vest. These types of vests will only help you float in case of a rollover, but they will not keep your airways out of the water in case of unconsciousness, keep that in mind. With them, you can easily get on and off your fishing kayak, paddle, and swim comfortably, thanks to their design. The vests for fishing in most cases are buoyancy aid.
In the case of a life jacket, its main mission is to keep the head (mouth and nose) out of the water, thanks to a greater amount of foam in the front and with a higher neck. This form is what makes the person turn on his or her own face-up. The disadvantages for the activity lie mainly in the discomfort of wearing these vests as they are bulkier and less flexible than those of aid to flotation. These are vests that are not designed to move with ease aboard the kayak. A life jacket will not allow you to paddle comfortably, neither will you swim, and, in the event of a fall into the water, it will be more difficult to get back into the kayak.
Safety regulations for vests
All life jackets marketed in Europe, and therefore in USA, must comply with current regulations and bear the CE mark, which shows that their sale has been tested, verified, and authorized. The standards validate, as a minimum, the buoyancy indicated in Newtons (N), as well as the turning and the maintenance of buoyancy on the back of the vest wearer. These life jackets have been designed according to the ISO 12402 standard, classified according to buoyancy:
12402-4 for 100N;
12402-3 for 150N;
12402-2 to 275 N.
10 Newtons correspond to 1.01 kg of buoyancy force.
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