Inflatable PFD's - opinions?

[Saxe Point]

I am thinking of getting one of those inflatable PFD's - the type that inflate with a CO2 cartridge either manually or automatically if immersed in water. They look like they would be a lot more comfortable and easier to wear in hot weather or cold. What are people's experiences with these? Would you recommend them? Any particular brand/model? Thanks for any opinions you can offer.

 

[Pippen]

Mustang....they do it and they do it best.

 

[Hookin'up]

Automatics are best in case of head injury and they still have a manual pull anyways.
get the hydrostatic ones which will deploy with the pressure of only 4 inches water, the other style have a "pill" that needs to be soaked/wet to disolve and deploy, happens quickly but have heard of false
deployments and also need the "pill" replaced every 6 months, the hydrostatics are goo for 5 years I believe unless deployed of course

 

[-steelhead-]

I have the 'pill' one and it deployed twice on me in the rain, finally went to manual then decided that wasn't safe enough when I'm on the river. Now I wear a kayaker style pfd for when I'm in the drift boat.

 

[searun]

Had auto inflate for years, no issues but then again I haven't had to put it to the ultimate test.

 

[Pippen]

Not that it is a big difference but are you using it "wading" rivers or on a boat? I realize you posted in the "salt" section.....just thought I would check.

 

[Saxe Point]

on a boat in the ocean

 

[Hookin'up]

on a boat in the ocean

Automatic and hydrostatic!
This one http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recr...-inflator-technology-hit?division=recreation#
also just a little comfort issue, make sure it has the little neoprene collar

 

[profisher]

The one thing you should know is that they will not keep you oriented in the water with your face up if your unconscious. A PFD is not required to do this where as a DFO approved life jacket is. I think they are great idea as people will wear them at all times which is way better than not at all. The DFO ones are designed to be put on once an emergency requires it and are not comfortable to wear at all.

 

[Tyeefisher]

I am a rower who guides guests in Campbell Rivers Tyee Pool, and I provide the hydrostatic Mustang inflatables to my clients and I also wear one myself.

Although flipping a rowboat is very rare occurrence while Tyee Fishing it happened to a fellow rower a couple of summers ago when his boat shifted suddenly and flipped over after they had just landed a forty nine pound Tyee. Three people went into the water including two elderly persons and although no one was injured and most of their equipment including the salmon was recovered. I personally believe that the mustang hydrostatic inflatables that two of the people were wearing contributed greatly to the fact that they were rescued as their boat went over so quickly that there was a huge danger of one of the oars or even the boat hitting someone on the head.

 

[Pippen]

The one thing you should know is that they will not keep you oriented in the water with your face up if your unconscious. A PFD is not required to do this where as a DFO approved life jacket is. I think they are great idea as people will wear them at all times which is way better than not at all. The DFO ones are designed to be put on once an emergency requires it and are not comfortable to wear at all.

Great info.


I will honestly admit I don't wear one nor will I......and I am one of the morons who says "I had a scholarship to swim an University"(which I did) (back me on this Kelly...hahaha). I realize that the cold is going to get me before I drown when I am 12 miles offshore.....but I also know staying with the boat is paramount.....unless it sinks.

I think it's largely about your comfort level on the boat you are operating and ensuring the operator knows what he is doing and his boat is outfitted properly.

If you can't swim.....then.....an inflatable is a no-brainer. Even if you can swim....it's a "good idea".....but I don't wear one.

 

[profisher]

LOL sorry my mistake...TC approved not DFO approved. Reading too much here on DFO...got it on the brain.

 

[Fish-Hunter]

LOL sorry my mistake...TC approved not DFO approved. Reading too much here on DFO...got it on the brain.

LOL profisher, I Chuckled to myself when reading your previous post, I am not the type of guy correct others when they make a mistake, but you caught your own. So as I was reading it the first thought that came to my twisted mind was that wouldn't a "DFO" approved PFD for "Sport Fisher-people" be required to float us face DOWN so that (the pain in the butt that we are to DFO), we will perish and then they won't have to deal with us??? LOL

 

[SpringFever2359]

get one....I have three mustangs in total..one automatic,one manual,and the light flyvest(not TC approved), I do try and wear them as much as possible,even when on the river..

 

[beemer]

Great info.


I will honestly admit I don't wear one nor will I......and I am one of the morons who says "I had a scholarship to swim an University"(which I did) (back me on this Kelly...hahaha). I realize that the cold is going to get me before I drown when I am 12 miles offshore.....but I also know staying with the boat is paramount.....unless it sinks.

I think it's largely about your comfort level on the boat you are operating and ensuring the operator knows what he is doing and his boat is outfitted properly.

If you can't swim.....then.....an inflatable is a no-brainer. Even if you can swim....it's a "good idea".....but I don't wear one.

Where should we send the flowers to Pippen?

beemer

 

[trophywife]

The inflatables only count as a pfd if you are wearing it. This info from coast guard. So having them stowed counts as none.
Pippen.. Can you swim unconcsious? Can you swim with your rain gear and boots on while unconcsious. Sorry pippen... I can swim strong and for as long as would ever want or need to but crackin my head as i fall out of the boat or get clunked by debris as the boat overturns has made it obvious to me to wear the self inflator that fills when under 4" of water.

 

[Big Green Machine]

The one thing you should know is that they will not keep you oriented in the water with your face up if your unconscious. A PFD is not required to do this where as a DFO approved life jacket is. I think they are great idea as people will wear them at all times which is way better than not at all. The DFO ones are designed to be put on once an emergency requires it and are not comfortable to wear at all.

The Mustang automatic inflatables will not keep your mouth and nose out of the water if you are unconscious? Why would they offer this option then?

 

[Tsquared]

I have the Mustang manual inflatable which I wear at all times. Just make sure the lanyard doesn't get caught on your commercial size crab trap as you toss it overboard. Don't ask me how I know!
T2

 

[beemer]

The Mustang automatic inflatables will not keep your mouth and nose out of the water if you are unconscious? Why would they offer this option then?

Mustang does produce both an inflatable PFD (not designed to keep you full upright and head out of the water when unconscious) They have also started producing an inflatable TC approved Lifejacket as well http://www.mustangsurvival.com/recr...nflator-technology-hit™-inflatable-lifejacket

I haven't tryed one yet , but I think I will be getting one from Santa.

beemer

 

[TenMile]

We have a friend who's had one for about 10 years. This summer while getting into her kayak, she fell in the drink and guess what -- it didn't inflate. She didn't know she had to do periodic maintenance on them -- so that's something to keep in mind...