PFD's: Your other Best Friend
On the river your best friend is your Personal Flotation Device (PFD). A human PFD must be Coast Guard approved - snug so it can't be ripped off or ride up and interfere with vision when in the water. Type III PFD's, favorites for whitewater, are comfortable, stylish, and colorful. Flotation is a minimum of 15.5 pounds. Type V PFD's are rated for commercial use, have a minimum of 22 pounds of flotation, use straps with buckles instead of zippers, have a flotation collar behind the head and adjustments to fit a wide range of wearers. And don't forget your dog's PFD. Although natural swimmers, dogs find it hard to swim in whitewater and need extra flotation, too.