I use the NP floatation vest, at first it was mainly due to wearing one during my lessons, and being a newbie it gave my wife peace of mind if I wore one at first going out by myself.
So one day I left the vest at home, then the first time I crashed my kite that session I was quite surprised to be dragged underwater.
After 30 seconds I realized that I wasn't going to bob back up and I couldn't get to the surface, I just seemed to be getting dragged along at the same depth under water.
So I punched out on the safety and self rescued.
I now wear the vest every session, it gives me the right amount of flotation and one less thing to concentrate on as I relaunch.
The vest fits well, is easy to swim with, hooks under the harness hook, it can tend to ride up a bit, but that depends if my harness rides up, it's easy to pull back down, so it's not a problem.
I don't mind looking like a rookie wearing the vest, but I'm wondering at what point someone can stop having to wear a flotation vest, I don't see many people wearing them, so am curious as to how you all manage to get away without.
I have and occasionally use a liquid force impact vest, it has a bit of float but as said here no way is it a PFD3 and agree with the comments from the wake/skiers earlier, also find myself wondering about the recent change to paddle surfing in big waves (inflatable paddles vests and suits) might be worth a look into.
Ultimately though the best solution is the one where you are never in the situation in the first place for which there has also been good advice. I'm curious if anyones looked into the surfing paddle vests/suits?
use a surfboard with or without straps
a bucket hat not only helps it is mandatory
problem solved
Not sure when this becomes commercially available but looks pretty cool: www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/7866207/Diver-mates-death-inspires-life-vest
