Anyone know what the square plastic thing on the shoulder of some PFDs is for? Here's a photo of one: http://www.boundarywaterscatalog.com/browse.cfm/4,6803.html

I use mine to clip on my 2way radio. Certainly there's a real reason for it to be there, anyone know?

Its used to attach gear. I have a knife on mine similar to this picture. Some people attach strobe lights to it also.

tony

I think that it says it is a lash tab. I would like one on my PFD. I have no good spot to put a knife on it for any emergency that my arise.

strobe light here,whistle on the other side.

It is for your river knife. All whitewater paddlers carry a knife (or should). I think the sea kayakers us it for a beacon.

Dumb question. I have one of these on my MTI Cruiser Pro life jacket and never used it. In order to attach a knife does it take a special kydex sheath with a special clip to attach? What do people attach to these and how do they do it?

Yes, a sheath like the one shown in the picture.

The sheath on my knife has a thumb screw on the back that loosens the belt loop so you can slide the belt loop kydex piece through the lashing attachment point.

tony

Knives designed for water rescue generally have a sheath with a clip that will slide through these lash tabs. Or if they fold then the knife handle itself usually has a clip that fits. My sailing rigging knife works that way.

Why does the knife pictured have a gut hook? Seems like an unnecessary feature for a water rescue knife, unless you were stranded in the north country and were able to bludgeon a caribou to death with a boot.

quote Beaverjck: "Why does the knife pictured have a gut hook? Seems like an unnecessary feature for a water rescue knife, unless you were stranded in the north country and were able to bludgeon a caribou to death with a boot."

It is for cutting though rope or webbing. It is considered a rescue knife. I use it for an all around camp knife too. It is very durable.

I have one like the knife pictured and it is very useful to have on the life vest. My new life vest lacks that square attachment and I don't like it. I got used to always having a knife there.

That's pretty cool. I may look for a knife to put on my vest like that.