Before all you women go out on the water in your kayaks, you need to know all about the most up to date Womens Whitewater PFDs available so that, just in case of an emergency, you will feel safe and secure.
Anyone who enjoys a quiet paddle on a slow moving river or the excitement of whitewater kayaking on a fast moving waterway knows that they need to have their best friend in their canoe with them – their personal floatation device, or PFD. All such PFDs have to be Coast Guard approved, which means that it fits close to your body and cannot be torn off by the current or move up to impede your breathing or vision while you are in the water.
PFDs for whitewater paddling must be at least Type III. This standard must have a minimum flotation of 15.5 to 19 pounds but, prior to choosing and purchasing your new life jacket, you will need to determine the level of whitewater you want to paddle on and the type of kayak you will be using.
In general, Womens Whitewater PFDs are designed and cut differently from those made for men and are smaller with shorter torsos. Many have inner cup support too, for extra comfort. For example, the Astral Buoyancy Green Jacket has extra protection for your back together and a special built-in band at mid-back level, a tectonic front panel and is supremely comfortable to wear.
Stohlquist’s eSCAPE PFD Life Vest for women is designed to fit snugly, with adjustable shoulders and sides, an SR buckle at the waist and an elongated torso. It has foam padding both at the back and in front for extra buoyancy.
There are many other brands on the market, all offering various ergonomic designs and innovations, such as flexible models which feel like you are wearing a pullover, front or side zip openings, neoprene or fleece lined pockets for extra warmth, water resistant pockets, organic kapok and PE foam, and storage pockets of all shapes and sizes. Also on the market is a PFD manufactured specifically for use in warm climates, which has its flotation panels on the front, a mesh back and pockets large enough to carry something cold to drink.
Most life jackets are made of nylon and come in bright colors – some even incorporate reflectors – so that you will be easily seen in the water. Almost all of them are available in sizes XS to XXL.
So, before you take your kayak out again, choose one of the latest Womens Whitewater PFDs and paddle away, confident in the knowledge that you will be complete comfortable and safe.
