Inflatable PFD opinions

[skargo]

What do you use? Likes, dislikes?

 

[asautt]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

My wife and I both put ours on the minute we get out of the truck at the launch site and don't take them off until the boat is on the trailer. That's what I like about the inflatables. Comfortable enough to wear all of the time. Haven't had to use them in real world emergency thank goodness.

They are 5 yr old West Marine branded SOSpenders.

Wouldn't be without them!

Alan

 

[skargo]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

Thanks Alan, that's what I'm talking about. Are they auto inflators?

 

[mphy98]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

I just bought 2 from bass pro. they had a sale for 49.00 for the stearns sospenders. I did not get the auto inflate, (price) as well as we get soaked fishing sometimes and I was worried about that. The inflate is a simple tug and poof, instant jacket of survival.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

We just purchased 2 Mustang MD 0450's. They are auto inflatables with LIFT. These PFD's lift your head 9" out of the water. They were kind of pricey ($267.99 each). But the plan is to keep them on most of the time, especially when docking and anchoring. We haven't used them yet, but they seem to be comfortable.

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

Something to consider, in Canada at least, an inflatable PFD is only considered a PFD by the Coast Guard if you are wearing it.

So in other words, if you get inspected by the Coast Guard and your inflatable PFD is hanging over the back of your seat it does not count as being onboard.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

Same rule applies here in the US of A. U must be wearing the inflatable PFD for it to be counted by the USCG.

 

[jkust]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

We bought two auto inflatables during this past winter. I haven't been out on the water yet this year to try them out but they were reasonable at Cabelas for $100 a piece. They are the Cabelas store brand and less than half the cost of others.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

One thing to remember before selecting an inflatable life jacket.

An inflatable offers absolutely no floatation unless it's inflated. While manual jackets may be attractive because of their cost they only offer protection if you have the ability to pull the actuator.

In a collision type accident where you might be ejected from the boat and are badly injured or unconscious you might not get the oppurtunity to inflate your jacket. Kind of defeats the purpose of wearing one in the first place.

 

[Rowroy]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

One thing to remember before selecting an inflatable life jacket.

An inflatable offers absolutely no floatation unless it's inflated. While manual jackets may be attractive because of their cost they only offer protection if you have the ability to pull the actuator.

In a collision type accident where you might be ejected from the boat and are badly injured or unconscious, you might not get the oppurtunity to inflate your jacket. Kind of defeats the purpose of wearing one in the first place.

Absolutely!

You need to ask yourself, "Is my life worth saving $70 for the non-autoinflating PDF?"

The one that I have will only inflate under hydrostatic pressure, so I can get it wet all day. However, it will inflate if submerged.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

That's why we sprung for the "top of the line" auto inflates. The Mustang 0450 will inflate only under hydrostatic pressure, no need to worry about rain or getting splashed, has two back up inflation devices, the rip cord and a tube to blow in to that can be used to manually inflate. The feature I really liked is the LIFT design that keeps your head 9" above water which is important if you are knocked out.

 

[skargo]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

Great point, you can't cheap out when it comes to safety.

 

[Aviator5]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

is there a "shelflife" for those?
Do they have to be inspected, or recertified after certain time?

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

is there a "shelflife" for those?
Do they have to be inspected, or recertified after certain time?

The shelf life for the CO2 charge for the Mustang 0450 is five years. There is an indicator on the vest that lets you know if the charge is still good or if it needs to be changed before the five years expires.

 

[mphy98]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

Absolutely!

You need to ask yourself, "Is my life worth saving $70 for the non-autoinflating PDF?"

The one that I have will only inflate under hydrostatic pressure, so I can get it wet all day. However, it will inflate if submerged.

I wasn't aware that they have them that go off under pressure. how far under do you need to be to go off? I just didn't want them to go off when getting soaked fishing.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

We just purchased 2 Mustang MD 0450's. They are auto inflatables with LIFT. These PFD's lift your head 9" out of the water. They were kind of pricey ($267.99 each). But the plan is to keep them on most of the time, especially when docking and anchoring. We haven't used them yet, but they seem to be comfortable.

"The Captain" (who happens to be a friend) put me in dutch with MY wife last time they came over to the house. I opted for the West Marine manually inflatable jobs on sale last year for $90. Once Mr. "We got LIFT" got through describing theirs, the message was clear (to Linda), that El Capitan loves his wife more than I love mine...

Sheesh!

 

[jkust]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

I wasn't aware that they have them that go off under pressure. how far under do you need to be to go off? I just didn't want them to go off when getting soaked fishing.

Mine say 4 inches but I recall an earlier post on this where someones auto inflated sitting in their boat left out in the rain.

 

[CaptNCamille]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

"The Captain" (who happens to be a friend) put me in dutch with MY wife last time they came over to the house. I opted for the West Marine manually inflatable jobs on sale last year for $90. Once Mr. "We got LIFT" got through describing theirs, the message was clear (to Linda), that El Capitan loves his wife more than I love mine...

Sheesh!

Ok, we know that our wives will always band together against us like a female Band of Brothers whenever some controversial subject pops up.
So, as our wives do, we need to band together to stop problems before they happen. So i suggest we come up with a signal that tells the other guy, DONT GO THERE or BACK UP ....YOU ARE GETTING ME IN TROUBLE!
Any suggestions?

 

[capt sam]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

One thing to remember before selecting an inflatable life jacket.

An inflatable offers absolutely no floatation unless it's inflated. While manual jackets may be attractive because of their cost they only offer protection if you have the ability to pull the actuator.

In a collision type accident where you might be ejected from the boat and are badly injured or unconscious you might not get the oppurtunity to inflate your jacket. Kind of defeats the purpose of wearing one in the first place.

I didn't need to read any further than this, he nailed it. After 25 years of working in the Emergency Services and running numerous boating accidents, this is why I only have auto inflate suspender style vests on my boat.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Inflatable PFD opinions

SKARGO,
here ya go check this out Mustang has a video that showes how to pick the right inflatable.
http://www.mustangsurvival.com/
the video is on the right just a bit down from the top.
like ASAUTT, I put mine on quick as I get out of the truck,with arthritis I don't move so good any more, and I swim like an anchor lol
in an emergency the last thing I want to be doing is messing with a PFD,
just get the auto inflate!!
if you get THROWN OUT you either REALLY messed up or your injured and unable to inflate it your self.

woosterken