suspender type PFD's

[flechero]

I didn't want to hijack the other PFD thread...

Those of you that wear the suspender type pfd's (auto or manual) can you tell me which ones you wear and what you like or dislike about them?  I think I'm going to buy one for myself but have no idea what kind or features I "want."  

Thanks for any input!

Keith

[KU_Bassmaster.]

I am very interested in this post as well.  This on the top of my Christmas list.  I've been borrowing one of my buddy's when I have been going out solo this fall.

Hope you don't mind if I add to this a bit Flechero??????? .....................  What it the difference between the $100 auto/manual and the $200 auto/manual??  Seems to me they are made out of the same material and have the same buoyancy.  Am I missing something??

[flechero]

Hope you don't mind if I add to this a bit Flechero???????

Not at all, the additional info will be just as useful to me as to you.

[cravenfish]

I wear a Mustang that I won in a tournament. It came with a extra co2 cartdrige. I love it and dont take it off when I stop to fish, summer time I do take it off. One thing about them that stays in my mind is, when I'm running down the river in a pouring down rain storm, is the vest going to get so saturated that the co2 goes off?

[scbassin]

I went to BPS yesterday to buy several items, one of them being a life jacket. I wanted to purchase the inflatable type but did not have a clue as to which one. I was back looking at the reels & I asked the salesman if he new much about the life jackets. He took me to someone who did & he took the time to explain each type they had. He recommended the Automatic/Manual kind.  He showed the one he has & said that it was the best bang for the buck. It is the Sospenders Sport Series(sport 24 model) for $119.99. This model provides in excess of 25 lbs of buoyancy will turn some people from face down to face up. The world class models provide 35 lbs of buoyancy & will turn most people from face down to face up when inflated. He also told me to put the switch in the manual position when storing to prevent it from inflating if it gets wet while stored. I fish by myself most of the time & plan on wearing it while in the act of fishing. When the outboard is running I am going to wear my 100 mph one because of the neck protection.

[Way2slow]

I bought the auto's for my dad and grandaughter.  One never know when they fall in if they my not be able to pull the rip cord.  One thing about the auto's, they recommend changing the cartrige out on regular intervals (seems like they said every three months but may have been six) and I think that's about $30 a pop.  

Both of these are about six months old so I need to check them the next time I'm in the boat to make sure and order the recharge kits for theirs.

[Bob8899]

I purchased a Sospenders vest ~ 5 years ago and it had three negatives.  The collar was uncomfortable around my neck, the cartridge was supposed to be replaced yearly and lastly I was concerned that it would inflate in the rain or when stored wet.

Since early this year I've worn a Mustang brand MD3181 inflatable vest.  It is classified as a recreational inflatable Type II PFD. This vest while costing about twice of what my sospenders cost offers the advantage in that the collar area around the neck is soft,  the cartridge does not need to be replaced for five years and inflation of the vest is caused by hydrostatic pressure.  The bottom of the vest must be submerged four inches for the vest to inflate.

Whenever I fish alone (~30 times this year) I have worn this vest and find it very comfortable.  I seldom wore my sospenders.  A friend who purchased a sospenders had the same problem with the uncomfortable neck and purchased the Mustang MD 3181 and finds it comfortable.

Note:  I don't have  knowledge have what the newer Sospenders vests are like.  Perhaps the negatives I found with my older vest has been solved.

No association with Mustang in any way.

The below informaton was copied from a web site selling this vest:

This PFD provides excellent safety, is designed for use in severe weather, and requires minimal maintenance. Used for over 10 years in Europe by Coast Guards and recreational boaters alike, the recently enhanced hydrostatic inflator developed by CM Hammar is exclusively available in North America from Mustang Survival. Hydrostatic pressure is applied to objects submerged in water. The hydrostatic inflator needs only to be submerged 4 inches (10 cm) for the hydrostatic pressure to open a pressure valve releasing a firing mechanism, automatically inflating the PFD. Low Maintenance - No inflator maintenance required for five years, unless fired. Reliable Inflation - Inflates under hydrostatic pressure, the PFD will not inflate prematurely due to rain, humidity or water contact (the PFD can be inflated manually by pulling the activation cord). Safety Inspection Window - Easily view the inflator replacement date and inflator status through the safety inspection window - green indicates ready for use. These inflators are maintenance-free for five years, lightweight, packable, comfortable and made of heavy-duty nylon.

Bob

[BillyBob]

Guys, here's a couple of negs. The first is that they are not considered a life jacket in the boat unless worn.  If its sitting on your seat and you get inspected on the water , it doesn't count, as a life preserver. Second, the thing doesn't ever fit right. I can't see getting thrown from your boat at 70 mph and the thing not ending up around your neck! I've gotten two for gifts and have gone back to a good jacket. Putting the daggone thing on is a headache and grabbin my jacket is twice as fast and safer. I tournament fish and maybe I'd think different if I was into a more relaxin deal.

[cravenfish]

Billybob, I fish tournaments also. I put my Mustang on and dont take it off. I leave the kill switch hooked to it and it dont bother me a bit. I find it a lot eaiser then a jacket

[BillyBob]

Craven, I don't mean to argue with your opinion. If thats what you like.. so be it, but I wonder how safe anyone would be, in one, at a dump out at high speed. You ever manually blown it up to see how thin the bladders are?

Plus if you leave it on, that means you got a cord hanging off it and have to reconnect your kill cord everytime you sit down to start your big motor. It'll be only a matter of time before that cord causes you to lose a fish.

Again, if you like it...go for it!

[Matt Fly]

I purchased the Stearns SOS"s for around 75 bucks at BPS, its manual inflate with co2 or blow-up tube.    I concur with Billy Bob as to not counting as a legal PFD unless its worn 24/7 while in the boat.

I was under the impression that the auto inflate does count as a legal PFD since it will inflate on its own as per the Game Warden who stopped us on Fork this year when LBH and crew was down.

Since we carry the vest also, we were not cited for not having them on, but was asked to what type and he explained that we were okay because we had the vests in the boat, so we are legal.

I can't see how one would be legal in one state and not another.    I will ask about it later today for clarification on Texas laws.

I like the light weight in the summer, its alot cooler, and I just undo one snap and drape it over the steering wheel with the kill switch still attached.

If you fish by yourself, and wear a vest to begin with, I would not recommend them, if you were to get knocked unconscientous, you would not float unless you have the auto inflate, and who is to say it will work.

I do know that is all I had in the Navy at my GQ station, auto inflate and manual tube.    They have been around for ever.

As for wearing the manual inflates in cold waters, again, I would consider how fast hypothermia can set in and give you problems trying to grab and inflate it while trying to get back onboard.

I like them in the summer months only.    Safety first.

Matt.

[Zel]

I've had the auto/manual SOSpenders World Class for about 5 years. It was a wake up call for me after a local acquaintance drowned while fishing alone.  I have a wife and small children that count on me, and I thought getting one was a small price to pay for a little peace of mind.  They are comfortable to wear all day long and do not impede movement.  They also come with an attached (loud) whistle which not only can save you if you fall overboard, it also saves you from getting a fine if your boat is checked by the Fish and Boat Commission, and your horn isn't working.

Other than the fact that you can never be sure 100% that the auto model will work correctly, the only drawback I've noticed is in torrential rain.  The literature states that rain will not activate the auto model, but I have found this not to be accurate.  On two occasions while traveling around 35 mph in torrential rains, the SOSpenders were activated.  

Changing the CO₂ cartridge, pin and sensor mechanism is quite easy.  

I was also told by a PA Fish and Game warden that the only way they are classified as a life preserver is if you are wearing them.

[Matt Fly]

Game Warden explained it this way yesterday.   If it is a Type III PFD it is legal and if it is Type V, it is not legal unless worn the whole time out.

If you flipped your boat, the Type 5 would sink where as the Type III would float.    

A Legal PFD that doesn't have to worn 24/7 is one that will float.      

Note, not all Sospenders that automatically inflate are given type III status, there are some on the market that do not meet USGC standards according to the GW.  

My understanding is Type II are floatation devices.

Type III are floatation "aides"

Type V's are "special Use Devices"

Test are conducted thru the Commandants office of the USGC.   There is not one state that doesn't follow USGC recommendations as per taining to boating safety and general navigatble waters.

matt