Originally Posted by
DaleW
For the local ponds around here in warm weather and warm water do not use a floatation device - even managed to turn the canoe/boat over this summer! Long time since I managed to do that trick! But a very short distance to the shore.
However, for serious waters like a couple of nearby lakes and rivers, especially in cooler weather and waters - and I might add unfamiliar waters - I use a Stearns Fishing Vest (Class III). It has the CO-2 rip cord activated cylinder (which I have never had to use), plus it has an optional manual air inflation tube (huff & puff). While at a lake swimming one summer, I blew up the air bladder one time just to see how the vest would perform. I was surprised at how little air was required to make it a substantial PDF...