Auto PFDs

[Gong Show]

In a few minutes you will not be able to easily self rescue.

Stories of people falling off BC Ferries and surviving hours are not uncommon:

https://www.cbc.ca/archives/the-ferry-fall-that-left-a-b-c-man-alone-in-the-ocean-for-8-hours-1.5226816

Just remember that the ocean may be beautiful, but it is always trying to kill you.

 

[Marley]

I just tested my inflatable Havasu jackets. I test them every year. They are three years old and one failed due to a pin hole. It was a slow leak overnight so I could have probably kept it inflated with the manual tube if required. Just a reminder to test. I am going to chuck the one with the pin hole and take a look at the dual flotation one from mustang at the boat show.

 

[Aquaholic]

It wont keep your head above water though if unconscious.

 

[Pineapple Express]

Is that black one the dual flotation model? Foam filled plus additional flotation by using the pull tab. That is one I see paddlers using, as your full arm motion is not inhibited, makes sense for fishing or guiding as well. They are also easier to get back into a boat if you go over, as your upper chest and arms are free to move.


View attachment 101362

I have this exact PFD. It is very comfortable with a t-shirt or light jacket, but if you're layered up for winter fishing I find that it's just too bulky. Note also that this is NOT an auto-inflating PFD. Also, the maximum combined floatation amount is less than a "normal" inflatable PFD.

 

[Blueshark]

this is part of of an interesting video I was shown years ago on a sea survival course (Two Olympic swimmers in a tank of 10 deg C water)

 

[beemer]

There is no requirement to wear your pfd once you have safely boarded a recreational vessel and are not working on deck commercially. Just to have them on board

I am pretty sure that in order to have your inflatable PFD counted as an “on board” pfd they must be worn.

 

[beemer]

In a few minutes you will not be able to easily self rescue.

Stories of people falling off BC Ferries and surviving hours are not uncommon:

https://www.cbc.ca/archives/the-ferry-fall-that-left-a-b-c-man-alone-in-the-ocean-for-8-hours-1.5226816

Just remember that the ocean may be beautiful, but it is always trying to kill you.

Bob Lord was extremely overweight when this incident happened. Lots of extra fat helped him float as well as the fact he was in the Fraser River outflow current , which is warmer . That incident was an anomaly.
Without a PFD in BC waters you have 20 minutes at best.

 

[casper5280]

In my marine water training over the years, I have seen both of these videos in the courses I had to take.

 

[Marley]

It wont keep your head above water though if unconscious.

That’s a good point I didn’t realize that. I definitely want one that will keep your head above water if unconscious.

 

[Marley]

In my marine water training over the years, I have seen both of these videos in the courses I had to take.

These are good videos. Really speaks to Aquaholics point of having a life jacket that will keep your head above water. Especially for that first minute when you are trying to get your breathing under control.

 

[Aquaholic]

That’s a good point I didn’t realize that. I definitely want one that will keep your head above water if unconscious.

The Mustang rep was in the Harbour Chandler booth at the boat show a year ago, and they had a big sale on this particular model. He was quite candid to me and he let me know in the first part of the conversation that it’s not auto inflating, and it’s a different classification where it doesn’t keep your head above the water. Lots of people still use them, however, I like your point of being cautious and keeping your head up and out of the water.

 

[chille51]

The Mustang rep was in the Harbour Chandler booth at the boat show a year ago, and they had a big sale on this particular model. He was quite candid to me and he let me know in the first part of the conversation that it’s not auto inflating, and it’s a different classification where it doesn’t keep your head above the water. Lots of people still use them, however, I like your point of being cautious and keeping your head up and out of the water.

Which particular model are we talking about? I've lost the thread a bit I think.

 

[Aquaholic]

Bob Lord was extremely overweight when this incident happened. Lots of extra fat helped him float as well as the fact he was in the Fraser River outflow current , which is warmer . That incident was an anomaly.
Without a PFD in BC waters you have 20 minutes at best.

The cold water boot camp video addressed this directly in regards to the slimmer swimmer in the video was losing his strength sooner than the others.

 

[Aquaholic]

Which particular model are we talking about? I've lost the thread a bit I think.

Mustang Khimera. My paddle buddy loves the fit and functionality. Keep in mind the precautions though.

 

[Aces]

I don’t see the point of having a vest that wasn’t self inflating and kept your head above water

 

[terrin]

I don’t see the point of having a vest that wasn’t self inflating and kept your head above water

Which one(s) meet that criteria?

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

I am pretty sure that in order to have your inflatable PFD counted as an “on board” pfd they must be worn.

An inflatable is a different animal, if that is the ONLY type you have, it must be worn when on deck. Regular PFD's do not.

 

[BC Coast Pilot]

I don’t see the point of having a vest that wasn’t self inflating and kept your head above water

I agree, my thinking is that you're probably gonna hit your head and be out of sorts on a bad slip on your way in

 

[trophywife]

I agree, my thinking is that you're probably gonna hit your head and be out of sorts on a bad slip on your way in

lots of self inflating models, measured to go off at different bar, if thats the right word. instead of from simply getting wet they go off under water. Different flotation ratings for different conditions. We should all wear them more. I am trying to wear mine now all the time when i am solo.

 

[Flounder_pounder]

I wear this one all day with zero issue. I’ve had it for almost 2 years now. Doesn’t pull on the back of your neck like the old ones. My wife prefers the khimera. Poco marine near me has an awesome stock of all different models to try on what’s comfy. Mustang is a BC born company which got its start making stuff for NASA/US military, so it’s cool supporting local.