[fatlazyless]

Kayakers who are 13 and older are not legally required to be wearing a pfd in New Hampshire, so wearing just the swimmers belt is a heck of a lot safer than removing a pfd and using nothing. Besides, it is much easier to actually swim while wearing a swimmer's belt than while wearing a pfd, plus it can be more comfy for paddling too. Pfd's can get in the way or be too hot when paddling or rowing, while the swimmers belts does not present the same problem for an obvious reason. Plus, it's much easier to snap the belt on with just one buckle snap when already in the water, should your kayak get flipped over by a wind gust or something.

Swimmers belts come in two models; single or double belt with the double having more flotation. They work real good for swimmer safety when swimming out over your head, swimming alone, or swimming in big waves or wind swept water. They make it easy to float on your back because the bouyancy can easily be centered to individual different body shapes which is something that cannot be done very good with a pfd. A pfd has one position, while the swimmer's belt cab be moved and tightened to center the bouyancy or adjust for floating on one's back or treading water with the belt up tight below one's armpits. Swimmer's belts are good for swimming while a pfd is good for not drowning.