"Float On

As a Bell County game warden was wrapping up his day, he responded to a call on Belton Lake in regard to a capsized kayak with a female occupant who was unable to get back in and continued to cling to the boat as she drifted farther from the shoreline. The warden arrived to meet the local fire department as they were transporting one male and one female, still wearing the personal floatation devices (PFDs), and kayaks back to shore. The male subject made the comment to EMS that he had always been made fun of for wearing his PFD while kayaking but noted that wearing them undoubtedly saved two lives that evening."

It can't save you if it ain't on you.

Yes, those PFD's are bulky, hot, and limit your movement, but kayaking without wearing it is asking to become a statistic.
I've personally seen it too many times where people ignore the danger and figure it will only happen to the other guy.
You may not care, but you have family that does, and they are the one's who will have to grieve.

Well done wearing pfd. It would however have been better if they knew some self rescue. No one seems to think it will happen to them. Ive made mistakes and at times been dumb taking some of the risks i have but was fortunate enough to have a dad who made me learn 2 things, paddle tecnique and self rescue. First thing i taught my son also...he is still working on paddle....cant tell teens anything......hahahaha

The best advice I give new yakkers is "It isn't a matter of if but when you will turtle our yak!" so wearing the PFD is always a smart decision.

Good news story!

PFDs don't have to be bulky or uncomfortable though. Lots of good ones out there. CRS Chinook is easy to forget you're wearing...

That's the problem, the people who don't wear the PFD are the ones who won't spend the extra bucks to buy a good one!