Rescue PFD & Spring Rivers | Gear Garage Live Show

Rescue PFD & Spring Rivers | Gear Garage Live Show

From Gear Garage Live Show by Whitewater Guidebook

March 24, 2026 · 25 min

About this episode

Zach discusses the importance of rescue harnesses on PFDs and new online training opportunities for whitewater skills.

This podcast is the audio version of the Gear Garage Live Show, where Zach answers submitted questions and talks all things whitewater. In this episode, Zach addresses the necessity of rescue harnesses on PFDs for rafters and highlights new online training opportunities for rowing and rescue skills. Episode Summary Zach begins the show by highlighting his online rowing and rescue schools. These courses are designed to provide foundational knowledge that can be difficult to find in a structured format elsewhere. While video training can never replace real time on the oars, these lessons—ranging from basic rowing to advanced class IV and V skills—offer a comprehensive and organized resource for boaters at all levels. The main topic of the episode centers on rescue harnesses (quick-release belts) on PFDs. Following up on a previous discussion, Zach shares a viewer's comment about why many boaters wear rescue PFDs despite having little use for the actual harness. The consensus is that the highest quality materials, most durable fabrics, and most functional pockets are often only found on "rescue" models like the Astral Green Jacket. Zach compares these to non-rescue versions, such as…

People in this episode

Host: Zach

Topics covered

  • rescue PFDs
  • whitewater training
  • rowing skills
  • safety equipment
  • boating gear

Keywords

  • rescue harness
  • PFD
  • whitewater
  • rowing training
  • boating safety

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Gear Garage Live Show, Whitewater Guidebook

Products: Astral Green Jacket, Astral Bowen

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