life vests and kayaks

I have read the "Who must wear life vests" section in the boaters handbook and this is all I could find.

"Children 12 years of age and younger on Commonwealth waters when underway on any boat 20 feet or less in length and in all canoes and kayaks."
"On Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes (only), everyone in boats less than 16 feet in length and in all canoes and kayaks."



Now. The way I read it, I (35) do not have to "wear" my life vest in my kayak just have it "handy". Correct? Where is the list of Pittsburgh District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lakes?

From what I've found the only lakes in North western Pa I would have to wear one on would be Woodcock, Union City dam, and Tionesta. I don't have to accually "wear" it on the bay, right?

Ok, You're probably right with that one but I was thinking more about in the warmer months.

I'll be doing more kayaking this year. I don't know how much open water I'll be hitting on anything but my boat, but I have been in a tipped canoe in water over my head. I don't often wear my life jacket and I hafta say, I'd be more worried in a boating accident. If you flip a canoe or kayak, well, the PFD floats and it's not going anywhere. I'd stress more to people about having the physical capabilities to swim when around water, but that's just me. We'll see what they teach when I go to get some certs.

If we're talking white water then I follow. If we're talking fishing and recreation then I'm more comfort oriented.

everyone has their preferences and are free to weigh the risks and do as they see fit, but my experience has been that the ability to swim and a "handy" lifevest ares useless when you've tipped over and hit your head to the point of unconciousness.

Not looking for "opinions" but looking for the "law". I can swim quite well and I'm not going to spend a nice 85 degree day with vest on the whole time if I don't have to. So I'm assuming that my interpretation of the law is correct since nobody seemed to disagree with the "law" side of my question.

It is legal to kayak on Presque Isle WITHOUT a vest "on".

I can swim quite well

I guess that will work as long as you never go out farther than swimming distance away from land, all depends on where your going. I've been out far on large lakes and also in the ocean where if something went wrong and your Yak started taking on water, you would never be able to swim back to land.

I found a website that marked the ACOE lakes and it only listed Allegehany Resivoir, Union City dam, Woodcock and tionesta. Is there a more detailed list of lakes and rivers that is owned by the Army Corp of Engineers?

I guess a guy could just use his/her "readily available" life jacket then.

Sure as long as strong currents haven't swept it away faster than you could get your bearings or swim over to it. Obviously you're probably fine in most lakes or the bay, the river or ocean could be a different story though.

Most of my experience with yaks is out in the ocean where there are very strong currents, so I'm sure I have a different perspective.

This link shows a list of all army core water ways in Pa. Not sure about the bay specifically but it is not listed so I would assume you do not need to wear a life jacket. http://www.lrp.usace.army.mil/rec/rec.htm

ORIGINAL: Riverbum

everyone has their preferences and are free to weigh the risks and do as they see fit, but my experience has been that the ability to swim and a "handy" lifevest ares useless when you've tipped over and hit your head to the point of unconciousness.

Most of the life jackets I see people using DO NOT turn you over if you are unconscious in fact many have a tendency to hold the unconscious face down. So if this is your main concern make sure you have the right type of PFD. Often it is the most uncomfortable one you can find.