"airbag" for surfing

[Big H]

Not just that, anything like that will need constant cleaning and maintenance like scuba gear. It is supposed to be a lifesaver, so worthless if it malfunctions at a critical moment. That means constantly changing out the canisters even if you don't use them (every time in the water), checking seals, cleaning fittings, etc. It will be expensive for every day use, and if you don't change things out, it will most likely not work when you need it (Murphy's Law).

If you're worried about being separated from your board and drowning, get one of these (pictures attached). Wear it deflated under a rashie or wetsuit or right on top if you're going to really kook it....you can inflate manually with the mouth tube then float easy forever. If it's big waves you worry about, like others have said, unless you are surfing a huge spot then you don't really need it....conversely if you do really need it you should not be surfing that spot as you ain't ready yet.

[dtc]

conversely if you do really need it you should not be surfing that spot as you ain't ready yet.

I guess it depends on your risk level - for example, its completely feasible that you might get a head knock or twist a knee or some other injury in a big wipeout that also breaks your leash. If you are surfing alone then the risk is higher than if you are surfing amongst 4535 other people like some of us.... and even good swimmers can get caught in the wrong place.

But the easiest risk mitigator is a thicker leash; sure people claim drag etc but I dont think its relevant for most surfers. But your solution is pretty reasonable as well, although taking off your wetsuit on the beach after surfing small waves might mark you out a little bit.

[Big H]

I have to say, if you are surfing alone in big surf, that is what I would consider pushing the margins of safety....diving, surfing, rock climbing, etc. are all activities that require risk management....too strict and it isn't going to be very enjoyable for an experienced person....too free with safety measures and you flirt with the margins, which in higher risk activities means death.

I wouldn't use a vest to increase my safety margins in lieu of other people nearby if I was going to go out in waves that I thought I might need a flotation device. Could I see myself wearing one if I was for instance, surfing an outer reef where you get dropped off by a boat and the boat leaves then comes back for you in like an hour and I was alone on a 2-3ft (Aussie) day? Yes....I'm not going to get held down, but if somehow my leash gets broken, I could be 1km from land in a current treading water for a few hours until I'm picked up....conditions relative benign but the difference between life and death is hanging on a 5/16" cord attached to my ankle.....need better margins than that. A friend was surfing Kuta reef with a buddy and there were two Japanese tourists there as well.......time passes and my friend told me he noticed that the tourists had left.....but no boat had come for them.......they were picked up 2km out to sea by a fishing boat.....apparently they got tired keeping up with the current and gave up and were swept away......lose the board and they are dead.

[Big H]

If you surf mavericks or jaws and choose to wear a vest and pack a "spare air" pocket air tank/regulator while your chase boat stands by and you are with your buddy or crew in the water then I get it....you have done what you can do to be safe and are further expanding your safety margins. If you do something silly like surf big waves that you don't have confidence in alone and wear a vest trying to pull back some of those safety margins that you gave away cheaply, then I don't agree and think you should start with surfing in waves you have a comfort level in and are able to handle, and further to that should have someone else around who can at least report you going missing.

My father never boosted me up into trees when I was a kid....told me that I needed to be able to climb the tree alone start to finish and that if I couldn't do that for whatever reason, well then I shouldn't be climbing that tree. Country wisdom but apt.

[oldmansurfer]

My advice if you want to go surf bigger waves is to gradually go up in size. Get used to 10 feet (Hawaiian) then 12 then 15 then 17 etc. When you feel that you can deal with a particular size then go up a couple feet bigger. The danger increases exponentially with size so just a few feet bigger is a lot more dangerous. Don't be surfing 6 foot waves then go to 20 feet. As you go up in size you will meet others who also surf big waves and you can work together with them on safety plans for your sessions. The biggest safety factor in big waves has been the jet ski and before that it was the other surfers. All these devices depend on you being conscious and capable of getting yourself out of trouble or having a safety team to rescue you.