PFD

PFD stands for personal flotation device, the general term for what most paddlers call a life jacket. Kayaking PFDs are cut differently from boating ones: they sit higher and have shorter torsos so the foam does not ride up around your ears or catch on the cockpit rim and seatback while you paddle, and many use flexible foam panels around the shoulders to keep your paddling stroke unrestricted.

Fit matters as much as flotation. A PFD that is too loose can ride up in the water and fail to keep your head clear, while one that is too tight restricts breathing and movement over a long paddle. Trying one on with the same layers you will actually paddle in, then pulling on the shoulder straps to check it cannot lift over your chin, is the standard way to judge fit before relying on it.

A PFD only works if it is worn, not stowed under a seat or lashed to the deck, since sudden capsizes and cold water shock give little time to put one on after the fact. We recommend wearing a properly fitted PFD every time you are on the water and getting hands-on instruction on paddling and rescue skills from a qualified instructor rather than relying on gear alone; this guide describes what a PFD is, not a substitute for that instruction.