For over 40 years, I have spent countless hours on the water casting lures to my favorite finned species on boats. One of the main causes for drowning in America is from boating-related incidents. Regardless of one’s ability to maneuver safely in the water, water incidents can be potentially fatal even for the best and most proficient swimmers around the world. But why are PFD’s so important to avid swimmers? Out of the estimated yearly deaths, 25 percent are known as proficient swimmers. In many of these situations, PFD’s would have saved a large portion of these lives. As expected, many victims are children or adults lacking the ability to swim. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world die from drowning incidents each year. Some type of life saving device could alter my outcome in a drastic way if an emergency situation arises. Regardless of my so-called swimming abilities, I enter into a potentially life threatening situation every time I sail away from the dock. My on-the-water talents are more suited with a rod and reel in hand and out of the water versus inundated in fish habitat. While I may not win a 200 meter medley unless I was the only one in the heap, I still rate myself as a proficient swimmer with the ability to endure extended durations inundated for a long period of time. Like many, I learned to swim at a very young age in the nearby ponds and local swimming holes. Belt-style PFD’s offer complete freedom of movement and life saving abilities without the weight and bulk of alternative PFD’s. But, a belt-style PFD such as the Onyx M-16 isn’t like a traditional life jacket nor is it like the other inflatable life jackets on the market that wrap around the neck and back. Sure I want to live a long life and I don’t want to succumb to drowning one day, but wearing a life jacket while fishing is not my idea of a joyful experience. As a finesse angler, freedom of movement sits at the top of my priority list and wearing a traditional life jacket is far from my desires or wants. Honestly, the thought of wearing a traditional life jacket on the boat all day is repulsive. The lightweight, belt-style device is much different than any other type of PFD I have ever used and is much more suited for my desires on the water. At first glance, the Onyx M-16 looked more like a caddy for my titanium fishing pliers than something that could potentially save my life one day. The most important part I recognized immediately was the small, lightweight design. Coast Guard as a Type V PFD, but it can function very well as a comfortable floatation aid or Type III device. Just recently, I received the opportunity to get my hands on an inflatable, belt-style personal floatation device called the Onyx M-16 Low Profile Personal Floatation Device (PFD).
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