PFDs

I wouldn't, just to kick it off

Can I flip that and ask seriously what is it that you think a buoyancy vest will do for you? It won't float you face up if you get knocked out. I get that it acts as a lifting handle if all else fails and the rescue boat has to pull you into their boat, but hell is that it?

One thing back in the day we fought tooth and nail as windsurfers not to be made to wear them and pointed out all the inherent dangers they have. The restriction on your ability to dive down out from under, the fatigue inducing nature of their bulk, hell half the reason the rescue boat has to pull you into theirs is probably because you can't get back into yours precisely because of their bulk.

Do they help you keep afloat? It's overkill, you already have massive flotation from your wetsuit and even more if you're wearing a death bag and if you have to hang around you do have this big floaty thing you fell out of to hang onto.

I'm quite serious they are more harm than the good they allegedly do, back in the day of plimsoles, shorts woollies and anoraks or waterproofs I can see why the dummy dinghy sailors had to be told to wear them, but nowadays? Nope they should be voluntary and certainly not mandatory for racing once you're old enough to vote.