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Ice Fishing Tips -Check your local regulations! => Equipment => Topic started by: 74redone on Apr 04, 2012, 08:23 PM

Title: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: 74redone on Apr 04, 2012, 08:23 PM

 I'm going to but a new auto inflate PFD,but I have been trying to find something telling me how many pounds of floatation I need. I'm 6' and 278lbs. I know the standard life vest is 12 lbs. But is there a different rating for the inflatable PFD's?
 Thanks
  Matt

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: surflizard on Apr 05, 2012, 06:01 AM

This is from the Stearns website.

  Let's take the example of a 200 pound person. Approximately 80% of the body is water. Water in the body has no weight in water. So now we are down to having to support only 40 pounds.

200 lbs. X 80% = 160 lbs.

200 lbs. - 160 lbs. = 40 lbs.

But the PFD only has a buoyancy rating of 22 lbs. How can it hold up 40 lbs?

On average our bodies also have 15% fat and fat is lighter than water.

200 lbs. X 15% = 30 lbs.

40 lbs. - 30 lbs. = 10 lbs.

Now you can see that the average 200 pound person only weighs about 10 pounds in water. The 22 lbs of buoyancy in your PFD is more than enough to keep the person afloat.

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: 74redone on Apr 05, 2012, 07:46 AM

Thanks Surf I ahould have known u would find thia. Have u had the lx7 in the kayak yet?
Matt

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: surflizard on Apr 05, 2012, 10:28 AM

Not yet buddy, that North wind hasn't stopped blowing ever since the warm spell let up ! :'(

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: 74redone on Apr 05, 2012, 01:32 PM

Well I chickened out and bought a new Humminbird 170 for my kayak. Something about the $600 to replace it compared to $100 for the bird that just maybe me feel better. I have only been in a yak a dozen times,so I'm still pretty new to it. I love fishing out of it though. caught a 4lbs catfish the other night and had it pull me around the lake.That was a blast!
  Matt

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: bob123 on Apr 05, 2012, 03:46 PM

Quote from: 74redone on Apr 05, 2012, 01:32 PM

Well I chickened out and bought a new Humminbird 170 for my kayak. Something about the $600 to replace it compared to $100 for the bird that just maybe me feel better. I have only been in a yak a dozen times,so I'm still pretty new to it. I love fishing out of it though. caught a 4lbs catfish the other night and had it pull me around the lake.That was a blast!
  Matt

The 170 is waterproof right?

Title: Re: how many lbs. do you need in a PFD?
Post by: 74redone on Apr 07, 2012, 09:17 PM

Quote from: bob123 on Apr 05, 2012, 03:46 PM

The 170 is waterproof right?

 Thats what it claims. I hoping I never find out ;D
 Matt