Automatic or manual inflatable life jacket

[Justbass11]

I am looking to get some inflatable life jackets. Automatic or manual, which one would you get???  I would like to get my wife and myself one. What are ya’ll thoughts???

[MN Fisher]

If I was going to get an inflatable - it'd be an automatic. If you conk your head during your 'exit' from the boat...a manual won't do you any good.

[A-Jay]

Both have there attributes ~ 

A-Jay

 

[NHBull]

I find myself reaching for my mustang like A-Jay's ^, 99.9 % of the time

[Justbass11]

I’ve been looking, but new to the inflatable. Not sure but which brands should I be looking at???

[J._Bricker]

36 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Both have there attributes ~ 

A-Jay

 

Agreed both have their attributes. I went with the Mustang (actually 2 of em) in the upper left corner A-Jays photo. If you’re unconscious, how are you going to get it inflated... 

[DanielG]

I have an automatic 'Absolute Outdoor Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket'. Automatic and manual inflatables are both good, I opted for the automatic for this reason. On a lake I can tread water for a long time. But, if I'm in the water in trouble, it's probably because I'm in distress, knocked out, or other issue. The auto one will inflate for me. The automatic ones can also be inflated by pulling a tab or even with a mouth located tube that you can blow it up with.

On another note, I got it because I was out fishing alone a lot and sometimes in early spring when the water is cold and not a lot of other boaters around. So the auto one was a no brainer.

Still another note. I tried on a bunch of jackets all over the place. All of them seemed restrictive except the inflatable ones. Even a Kayak Jacket with it's minimal padding and open arms seemed like something I didn't want to have to wear. With the Onyx I got I put it on and forget it's on. It's great and I think I wear it regularly because of that. Otherwise I might not bother to put it on all the time.

A third note. The auto inflates will right you and keep your head above water. Most others won't and you've got to get one with a large bulky collar to find one that will.

 

You might have to pay $100+ for one, but in my opinion it's worth it.

[txchaser]

17 minutes ago, Justbass11 said:

I’ve been looking, but new to the inflatable. Not sure but which brands should I be looking at???

https://www.mustangsurvival.com/en_US/products/flotation/inflatable-pfds/hit-inflatable-pfd-MD318302.html

 

I got this one, specifically because it's a type II vs a type III when inflated. More likely to roll me on my back if I'm knocked out, which is why I wear it in the first place.

 

The one in A-jay's picture is slightly different, and is supposed to be better if you get thrown out of the boat at high speed, which is not my use case.

[Big Rick]

You can purchase inflatable vest in automatic, manual, or both. I believe that's what the OP is referring to. Not comparing inflatable with the standard foam filled life vests... Or I'm confused...

[flyfisher]

I honestly don't know why they even make manual versions as it seems to be pointless.  I use an automatic myself and only use a standard PFD when it's cold or I am river fishing and the probability of me using it is higher as I am a kayak fisherman.

[Shimano_1]

I know lots of people love em and wear em every day. Myself...I'll stick with the regular ones. If i were gonna wear one while fishing I would get one to wear just while I fished. I figure if I ever end up in the water its because I've wrecked or something else bad has happened.  Good chance I may hit my head or something and I'm not depending on something that I've seen fail to open and save my life. My dad wears one and I hate that he does. Yes they're more comfy but I'm used to wearing my regular one and I feel much safer. As always tho each to their own. If I were looking I'd definitely want an automatic one. The manual ones are useless in my opinion. Mustang would be my choice 

[papajoe222]

I fish alone about 75% of the time and I use both an automatic inflatable while fishing and a vest style PFD while running the boat. I can always activate the inflatable manually, but for a few extra bucks, I like knowing that the possible few seconds of loosing my orientation when I enter the water won't be wasted. Then there is the concern over getting clunked on the head.

I use a Sospenders and replace the bobbin every year and the CO2 cartridge every other.  I purchased a BassPro model a few years back for the wife and do the same with hers.

[Goldstar225]

I use both the standard and a Mustang HIT auto inflatable.  I'm not going to wear a full vest 100% of the time I'm in the boat so when I'm fishing with someone else in the boat I use the standard when running the boat.  If I'm fishing alone I wear the inflatable from the time I get in the boat until I get on land.  My logic is that if I have someone with me, they can toss me the throw able.

[NHBull]

I have never used one of these

https://www.dakine.com/en-us/bags/uscg-approved-waist-pack-pfd?source=search&utm_source=google_shopping&m=configurable_scp&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8bsBRC6ARIsAEyNnvpnso2RC0vu-CO6OBw5nx1tGCKEz1Sm-mZu6jaxhhabtPe0VH3ByaMaAtpBEALw_wcB

But know guys that do....just for fishing

[TotalNoob]

After starting the season with the standard, bulky vest, I switched over to an A/M 24 that BPS had on sale for $79 (I believe .. or $89) vs the ~$120 regular price. Mostly I found that the active type of fishing I do (lots of casting from lots of angles, manipulating the rod tip just so) was inhibited by the bulky vest. Think jerkbait fishing with the butt of the rod against the puffy vest vs being right next to my body. It felt very restricting. To each their own though. 

 

I should note that I fish out of a 10ft "pond prowler" plastic-style boat. I wouldn't get in that thing without wearing a life vest of some type at all times and the A/M 24 seemed to fit the bill for me as a compromise. I can fish comfortably with it on and honestly I don't even notice I'm wearing it anymore. 

[Justbass11]

Ok here is another question, how does one know what size to get with an inflatable life jacket??? I’m 6-2 and about 300lbs 

[DanielG]

9 hours ago, Justbass11 said:

Ok here is another question, how does one know what size to get with an inflatable life jacket??? I’m 6-2 and about 300lbs 

If I remember, mine is very adjustable. I'd think you'd visit a place and try it onbutit should fit.

[MickD]

On 9/29/2019 at 10:30 PM, papajoe222 said:

I fish alone about 75% of the time and I use both an automatic inflatable while fishing and a vest style PFD while running the boat. I can always activate the inflatable manually, but for a few extra bucks, I like knowing that the possible few seconds of loosing my orientation when I enter the water won't be wasted. Then there is the concern over getting clunked on the head.

I use a Sospenders and replace the bobbin every year and the CO2 cartridge every other.  I purchased a BassPro model a few years back for the wife and do the same with hers.

My son does this , too, using a regular vest while running and the auto-inflatable when fishing or moving slowly.  I have had a couple different inflatables, both Cabela's, and one thing I've noticed is that the the collar design, behind your head, makes some comfortable, and some less so.  My rounded collar one is the more comfortable.  I don't change anything annually.  The only time one went off was when it was in a boat locker and my boat cover leaked allowing a lot of water into the locker.  I think the inflatable ones, at least mine do, have a pull string to allow manual firing of the CO2, + the mouth tube.  I also like the idea of using a vest type regular vest when out in lonely, cold water.

 

My son kids me that he wants me to always wear a PFD because he doesn't want to waste any fishing time looking for my body.  Easier to find if floating.

[papajoe222]

On 9/30/2019 at 8:49 PM, Justbass11 said:

Ok here is another question, how does one know what size to get with an inflatable life jacket??? I’m 6-2 and about 300lbs 

Check the rating on the vest prior to trying it on. Most are adjustable to about 50in. or so. Some will support more weight than others. I believe mine is rated for max 300lbs. The ones I've seen on salt water charters are rated to 500lbs.

[r83srock]

I have worn a full vest for years and have worn an Onyx automatic inflatable this year. I really like wearing the inflatable, and keep it on while fishing at times, especially if the water is cold or the current is strong. I’m not totally sold on the inflatable though. I’ve heard stories where guys get thrown from the boat and they don’t inflate, even a nearly new vest. I also feel that the full vest gives some added protection. I was actually thrown on the front deck of a bass boat one time after the driver failed to make a corner and hit land, my leg got banged up from going over the windshield, but my chest was fine. I was more lucky I didn’t get thrown into a tree, it’s pretty crazy how fast a 21 foot legend bass boat can stop after 70+. Anyway, I guess the important thing is to always wear any life vest while running. I would prefer automatic or manual myself, or get one that does both, mine does that. In my kayak I wear one meant for wake boarding, and I can still move my arms fine.

[WRB]

The suspenders type auto inflating PFD is suitable in warm weather and water.

The high speed PFD is preffered when traveling in a bass boat over 50 mph providing floating when injured or unconscious in all types of weather.

Self inflating to me are the emergency devices under aircraft seats, not suitable for boating.   

Tournament bass fishing you are required to wear a PFD and most op for the Suspender type. Like AJay I have both suspenders and high speed PFD's. 

Tom

PS, Mustang makes both types.

[Todd2]

On 9/29/2019 at 10:10 PM, flyfisher said:

I honestly don't know why they even make manual versions as it seems to be pointless.  

I have a buddy I fished with a few years back, he handed me one of his manuals and I showed him it was not a A/M. He had no idea, he thought it was. I've heard others get it confused too. Very dangerous IMO.