Tthrowable PFDs are not required on canoes or kayaks and we've never brought any, just wearable ones for each of us. But a question about throwables came up from one of the guys at our final planning meeting last night. Do any of you bring them on your trips?

From the MN DNR Boating Guide:

"The requirements for PFDs are as follows:
On all boats (except a sailboard) regardless of length (including canoes, kayaks and duck boats), there must be a readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III or V wearable PFD (life jacket) for each person on board.

Type IV throwable devices, such as buoyant cushions, are no longer acceptable primary lifesaving devices.

IN ADDITION, on boats 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks,) there must also be at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV throwable device, such as a buoyant cushion or ring buoy immediately available for each boat. The law does not state that PFDs must be worn, only that they are readily accessible except for personal watercraft (Wave Runners, Jet Skis, etc.) and children under 10.

HOWEVER... we highly recommend that PFDs always be worn by everyone on board any boat."

Nah. Not very likely that someones going to fall out of a canoe without tipping it over and if the canoe tips over who's going to throw to who. Plus if someone does just fall out you could just throw them their pfd, unless they are wearing it... in which case they are fine.

nobody ever said that laws have to make sense...

but wait, to be clear, you cannot call a square cushion type PFD a valid PFD according to MN dnr law?

like this -

those cushions are NOT legal pfds anymore. havent been for years.

i've never brought them, but i was going to bring them this year and use them for camp seats and a pillow.

bummer, but no biggie.

Those cushions are not legal PFD's to be worn (a primary device), but they are exactly what is being referred to as a throwable Type IV device. It is a secondary life saving device beyond wearing a life jacket.

They definitely would make fine camp cushions.

Just to be clear, I told the new guy that we've never brought any and don't plan to start now. (Now if the gods in charge of capsizings will look the other way, I'll say it... Just four more things to lug around.)

One of my frequent trip partners brings one like wigone has pictured. He uses it as a seat cushion in the canoe and in camp. He has a wearable PFD as well.

yeah i'm bringing both. sitting on logs and rocks stinks after a while. alice lake beaches i have no problem with tho...

If everyone would just wear their PFDs(like they should ) then we wouldnt have to worry about any of this. Pretty simple solution to the Q.
CB

OH NO now I have started it! Let the CRAZEY excuses for NOT wearing a PFD begin! Just couldnt pass up this one up.