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sbeck206
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 21 Mar 2012
Location: United States
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Posts: 6Props: +0 / 0
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  0 props    Topic: Best Rescue PFD
Posted: 09 May 2012 at 11:57am |
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I am in the market for a new PFD and figure it's time to step up to a Rescue PFD (and take a swiftwater course). I was looking at the Astral Greenjacket and the Stohlquist Descent, but am open to other suggestions. I tried on the Descent at Kayak Academy today and it seems to fit quite nicely with plenty of storage. In your opinion, what is the best rescue PFD? How does it perform in real life rescue situations? Does it have enough storage for equipment, tow tethers, etc.
Thanks!
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phil
Super Looper
Joined: 19 Aug 2009
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Posts: 156Props: +6 / 0
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0 props Posted: 09 May 2012 at 12:21pm |
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Those are both good choices. I wear a green jacket and like it.
It fits very well and I think gives you more freedom of motion than other vests. On the other hand, it's not very floaty for a rescue vest.
There's not a ton of storage space but there's always been enough for my needs. I keep pin kit hardware in the side pockets, tether on the breakaway loop on the front, randoms in the front pocket.
I've jugged a rope on the full strength loop at the bottom. It blew out some stitching holding some foam in place but the loop was bomber. Haven't been vertically extracted in an emergency but would feel good about it after that experience. Then I sent the vest to Astral and they repaired the stitching for free and sent it back to me. Their customer service is awesome.
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PaddleGirl
Super Looper
Joined: 18 Oct 2010
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You must be logged in to give props!! 0 props Posted: 09 May 2012 at 1:10pm |
I don't like the side pockets on the Astral since they come unzipped, at least on mine, which is a few years old. Other than that, I like it. Haven't tried the others.
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Sam_Graftton
Paddler
Joined: 21 Aug 2008
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Posts: 79Props: +9 / -1
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0 props Posted: 09 May 2012 at 1:17pm |
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I like the Kokatat Ronin Pro. It's a low profile vest and I think it has 1 more pound of buoyancy than the Green Jacket.
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jP
Rio Banditos
Diddle Fuerte Diablo !
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
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Posts: 3560Props: +122 / -19
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0 props Posted: 09 May 2012 at 7:34pm |
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Dito what Sam said: I like the Kokatat Ronin. Low prifile. Never prefered Astrals, due to their "prosthetic beer gut" design. Sometimes I guy's gotta climb into a raft, or over some rock.
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WA-Boater
McNasty
Joined: 30 Jun 2005
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Posts: 417Props: +33 / -2
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0 props Posted: 10 May 2012 at 7:54am |
I'm also a fan of the Kokatat Ronin Pro. Enough storage, lots of flotation, maintains good dexterity and full range of motion. The least restrictive rescue PFD I've used.
I've got one in good shape I'd sell ya for $110.
Darren
253 549three945
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sbeck206
Viener Schnitzel
Joined: 21 Mar 2012
Location: United States
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Posts: 6Props: +0 / 0
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0 props Posted: 10 May 2012 at 1:40pm |
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Big thanks to everyone for all the info. I decided on the Ronin Pro, can't wait to give it a try next weekend!
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