Looking for a light and simple PFD design, preferably incorporating water bladders and/or bottles that I already carry. Intended for "just in case" use on a short, calm river crossing, Class I at most. Seems I saw something on here a year or so back, but can't find now.

Have checked with rangers and I won't be required to carry anything (Coast Guard approved or otherwise). Just trying to be careful.

Any ideas/experience? My first thought was something like the basic orange type II vests, using a couple 2 liter platys for the front, and a gatorade bottle behind the head. Shell could be 30D nylon or tyvek or such, with pockets for bladders and simple strap.

Problems with this?

I have heard of people using boxed wine bladders which are really tough and light (at least the black box ones I have carried water in are) I think your plan is fine, there was a "Thing" sold for a while which some people re-purposed to be PFD like.

Here it is:


I think any silnylon would work, another option would be the self inflateables that are approved, like the sterans inflateables that can be inflated by mouth:
http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Inflatable-Life-Jackets-C17.aspx

Thanks. Remember seeing the "Thing" but didn't remember name. Searching for that got me to a thread on packrafting.org with some more pics and details: http://www.packrafting.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=880