Gear Garage Ep. 189: What's in my PFD? (2021 Edition)

[@petergonsalves9381]

Zach thanks for continuing to tweak your gear to try to find that perfect set up. This conversation is great. Is your flip line a loop or does it have small loops on the ends?

[@GearGarageTV]

It has small loops at the ends that I connect with a carabiner to make a loop

[@jbrunet5562]

Ive started carrying the DMM revolver carabiner, it has the pulley built in .: makes for one less piece of gear to carry or drop.

[@danielmacgregor4248]

Don't sell out, Zach!!! We love you!

[@patlorch8478]

Thanks Zach. I bought the Gerber knife after watching you test it. I have cut my hand on a smaller knife that was too small for my hand.

[@Jasongnc]

I've switched to straight flip-line, no full loop. With small loops on each end I can quickly make a larger loop if needed. Also for the same amount of webbing, I can get a larger "reach" with the line. It can be stuffed into the pocket like a throw bag, so I can grab the carabiner first and the rest just spools out. The piece of gear that goes into my PFD that you dont have is my car keys, heh.

[@SJSCHOCH]

I tossed a small ferro rod and striker in the pocket of my PFD a while back. The one in my PFD isn't a flame thrower, but kicks off enough sparks to get a fire going.

[@sonofhalvor]

small nit: I had a bigger whistle on an old PFD w/ a zipper down the front. After a whitewater swim, I noted the zipper had been pulled down. My conclusion was that the zipper pull was lifted by the resistance of the whistle, which was then pulled down and open by the current. I consequently made a small leash for the whistle and removed it from the zipper. Your whistle is denser, lower profile and far less likely to generate the kind of leverage I described, but a leash provides an easy option. (I've also not had a front-zip PFD in years.)

[@GearGarageTV]

I only put whistled on pocket zippers

[@davidpauli3189]

Thanks again Zach! I appreciate so much your dedication to the sport.

[@stague]

I like to carry titanium trauma shears with a velcro zip tie to keep them closed. Not exactly quick deploy but unbeatable for one handed cutting of loose line, entrapments, etc.

[@chadheidtke8318]

I have those same magnetic carabiners and while I love them I have had the issue of other people not knowing how to work them and struggling in a rescue situation. I also carry a more traditional style locking carabiner and think about which one I use if other people might need to access it.

[@GearGarageTV]

Yes I only use those carabiners for my personal flip line

[@fergusl3604]

Is there a reason you choose to keep your knife inside the main pocket despite the knife pocket above the quick release?

[@GearGarageTV]

There are a few reasons (1) Folding knives are generally sharper, (2) The external knife can make it harder to get in a raft, and (3) I'm less likely to loose the knife if it's in the main pocket.

[@fergusl3604]

@@GearGarageTV I think you misunderstood what I meant sorry, the pocket above the quick release is designed to have a folding knife inside it, just separately from the main pocket Edit: You can see what I mean in the left of these two pictures, sounds like the right one is what you thought I meant images.app.goo.gl/o3VyoQHZoeVYFVpw7

[@doliergr]

I'd argue, Zach that you could set up a basic 3:1 with what you're carrying, particularly kayaking. In kayak/canoe/sup world the UK we're moving away more and more from the use of pulleys and just running through the krab, with what you have there you could achieve a 3:1 eh, you could also do a rolling 4:1. as I say not enough for a raft but for a kayak it'd work. Keep up the great videos!

[@northwestraftingcompany]

Yep you could set up a theoretical 3:1 with that equipment but in reality it will be more like 1.7 to 1. Even with pulleys it's more like 2.3 to 1.

[@ellon118]

Another great video, keep them coming.

[@mikebrady4994]

Zach- have you done a show on drysuits? Looking for guidance on preferred makers and materials for west coast boating. Sorry this is not a question about your PFD!

[@jamesshort6856]

I have ir gear, and love it. My dad has an nrs drysuit and loves it also. Just go to a shop, and try them on, especially sat down, and see which ones you like

[@BarryKruse]

Great learning opportunity as always, Zach. Great list of carry gear. This PFD looks beefy. I can't find how much flotation it offers. Still 16 or 17 pounds, or more? Looks thicker. Also, it looks pretty spendy.

[@598victor]

Looks like just under 16lbs.

[@GearGarageTV]

It's measure in Newtons and the conversion is weird. We did the math and largest size was something like 19 lbs of flotation.

[@GearGarageTV]

The largest size (the one I'm wearing) is definitely more than 16 lbs.

[@BarryKruse]

@@GearGarageTV I'd been looking for something in this profile with higher flotation. This looks pretty good. Some nice features.

[@GearGarageTV]

@@BarryKruse It's my favorite PFD for rafting

[@barraliddy9458]

Really nice video. The dyneema flip line looks great for the sole purpose of flipping the raft and looks small and compact to fit nicely into your pfd. My only thoughts against it are when using it as an anchor. Although it may be as strong or stronger than webbing it will cover a lot let surface area of the anchor e.g. a tree. This means it will have less friction around the tree as well as all the force going through the system is concentrated into a smaller part of the tree. If you use a big enough tree I guess then that won't matter that much. But I'm curious of the dyneema sling capabilities in anchoring.

[@GearGarageTV]

I'd rather use tubular webbing but I don't carry webbing in my PFD. It's nice to know that the flip line I use could work as an anchor if needed.

[@MrCoyotekiller21]

Do you have an opinion on omitting pulleys and using the Petzl roll clips in place of them? If not, what about using them as a redirect? I know there would be an issue with progress capture…

[@GearGarageTV]

I think those roll clips are pretty cool. Next month I'm going to do some tests wit them to get a stronger opinion either way.

[@thinleytobden6145]

A great lesson as always Acho..I realize watching this video that I always carry a T-range in my front pocket which is unnecessary n doesn't make a sense.but definitely a basic Z-drag equipment is very important to have in our PFD pocket..Kadrinche la acho.

[@GearGarageTV]

What is a T-range?

[@thinleytobden6145]

@@GearGarageTV,sorry I don't know the exact name for this tool but it is the tool to tied up the raft/oar frame..anyways its a bhutanese name for that tool.

[@gregoryyoung8490]

Zach - What static line do you recommend for raft pin kit. i would like a floating one. Probably a bright color if possible. I know you mentioned you were looking at one in one of your Friday sessions but I could not catch the name.

[@GearGarageTV]

I've done a pretty comprehensive video about static lines for rafting pin kits.

[@gregoryyoung8490]

@@GearGarageTV Found it.. Don't know how I missed it. I thought i had watched all of the recent ones. Thanks,

[@ryanhenderson8503]

What are your thoughts on carrying climbing nuts in the rare ocassion you that there are no trees or rocks to large to wrap webbing around? Awesome videos by the way.

[@GearGarageTV]

I carry them in my personal kit but have never used them

[@tylerars24]

Have you checked out a micro traxion self minding pulley in favor of prussic and pulley?

[@GearGarageTV]

Yep I did a video about it a few years ago. It's an interesting piece of gear for the right situation.

[@TOOZECRUISE]

Another great video.

[@hitmc6327]

Great episode. Have you found that the big front pocket catches on the frame making it harder to get back in the boat?

[@GearGarageTV]

It catches a little but it isn't too bad

[@hitmc6327]

Thanks!

[@brba825]

Hi Zach, what are your thoughts on the nrs knife attached to the exterior of the pfd?

[@GearGarageTV]

I like the Gerber knife because it cuts rope really well. Exterior knives might make it harder to get in a raft.

[@NathanielDickison]

Gonna need a river snacks video...

[@illerstothek]

I've never seen one of those CPR masks work well. They don't have a valve, so you really aren't getting much protection from the patient (like using medical gloves with gauze patch in the palm). Might be better than nothing (if you are willing to accept the possible contamination risks) but those restrict breath air flow. They blow away in the wind, tear, and don't really stay sealed. I would go for the NuMask CPR mask for a compact option. Compressions only is what most of the public is learning for CPR now. Most are not recommending any breaths in CPR during Covid (unless you have a BVM with a virus filter). If you had to do rescue breaths for someone that might be a different story.

[@GearGarageTV]

Do you carry the NuMask CPR mask in your PFD?

[@illerstothek]

@@GearGarageTV When I was a commercial guide had one in my pfd my last couple of years. When private boating I don't carry one in the pfd, just in the med kit. As a park ranger (EMT) my medical directive is to not provide breaths without mask that provides a complete barrier. I have a "Pocket BVM" in my work sweep kit. Now that compression only CPR is a thing for most CPR certs, the amount of risk you want to take without a barrier is up the individual (unless you have medical direction). Great show, like to see people geek out on gear!

[@GearGarageTV]

@@illerstothek I carry a small barrier in my PFD (yes it has a valve) and a larger mask (with BVM) in our larger first aid kits. This video about drowing (kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6GceoeXh7SKerc) might convince you of the importance of giving rescue breaths asap for drowning victims. The microshield I carry in my PFD is tiny and is much better than nothing when you need it quickly.

[@illerstothek]

@@GearGarageTV I agree with really everything that video contains. Many of those keychain ones don't have the valve, just a perforated panel. Those are basically junk. Had not seen one of those in the little pack with a valve!

[@jonathanwilson1798]

As a paramedic I second the value of giving breaths to a drown patient. The cardiac arrest is secondary to their respiratory arrest, they need ventilation. I carry a NuMask in my PFD.

[@598victor]

Are they for sale in the US?

[@DamionJR4923]

Thanks I like your idea of the knife on the inside so it doesn’t snag on things. If people are scared cause you or someone has a knife on the outside they shouldn’t be on a boat. They would also be very scared of my kitchen.

[@NathanielDickison]

I keep a rubber duck named Class VI ducky in my pfd at all times.

[@grahambates3931]

I stopped putting my knife on the outside when a custy asked me to bring his gun on a commercial trip. I said "no, why?" He told me that he saw my knife and wanted to bring his own protection on the boat 😂

[@kayakbob5715]

Illinois and Missouri require a whistle..coast gaurd law

[@zackkozel2226]

Anyone know of a Palm dealer in US?

[@dgrfsthrgsergwrtghasefq]

Still pushing the death trap "LOOP" flip-line??????????

[@GearGarageTV]

I wouldn't say that I'm pushing it. It's something that I choose to do understanding the pros and cons. I generally run bigger rafts with gear so having the loop to pull on helps turn those bigger boats over quickly. I'm sure it's possible for someone to get trapped in that 6 foot loop but I'm willing to take that risk for the ability to quickly reflip a flipped raft.