Need PFD pointers or advice

[pauldconyers]

Now that I'm taking our two sons under the age of 10 with me on our 14' jon my wife is insisting I wear a PFD 100% of the time. So I figured if I asked for one around Christmas time she couldn't say no and would have to get one, right? I'd like to get one of those ones that inflate automatically when you hit the water but the problem is I have NO idea how any of them work or things to consider when making a purchase. I am trying to keep the price at around 100 bucks and would have no problem waiting until around Black Friday. Any advice be it brands, features to make sure it had, how the inflation system works or even a specific recommendation would be great! TIA

[OnthePotomac]

If you get an auto inflate it will no doubt run you more than $100 for a quality vest.  Don't go cheap on an auto inflate... it is you life.  You can pick up regular PFD's for the boys at a reasonable price and take them with you for a good fit.  Mustang is a good product.

[BassinCNY]

Kayak pfd's are pretty comfortable. Maybe that would be an option?

[MickD]

All inflatable PFD's have a rating for their flotation ability, which is, I believe, linked to the size of the CO2 cartridge.  I don't believe the PFD's that have the higher ratings are any less comfortable than the lower rated ones, but the best practice would be to buy in person and try them on.  I have found that the ones with the round collar section, like a ring of bologna around your neck, have less tendency to rub the neck uncomfortably.  I wear mine almost all the time I'm on the water.  Now and then in calm inland water, while fishing, I might take it off to remove a layer of clothing and not put right back on.  But I always wear it when running with the motor.  AND I have the kill switch connected.  My Cabelas PFD has a handy plastic loop for attaching it.

 

Keep in mind that now that your boys are going with you, you are setting an example with everything you do.  Make sure it's the one you want to set.

 

My son insists I wear it because he doesn't want to waste any fishing time searching for my body. 

The auto inflate ones that I have experience with have never gone off unless water got to the vest.  Rain has not been a problem, but I usually wear it under a rain coat if fishing in the rain (which is rare).  Re-arming kits can be purchased for them for less than $20.  The right price based on what's in a kit would be more like about $5, but about 20 bucks it is.

 

[WRB]

For a Jon boat you may not need a high speed Suspender type auto inflate PFD.

You are not traveling at speeds where you get knocked out hitting the water, at least I not with youngsters in the boat. 

The auto/mannual pull trigger inflating vest or Suspender PFD may be all you need if you know how to swim. 

Your kids need PFD life vest,dad wears his and so do the kids.

Tom

[pauldconyers]

Both boys already have properly fitting life jackets. I too have a new Bass Pro traditional styled life jacket. I just do not like how restricting they are and how hot they can be in the summer. So I figured if I MUST wear one for my safety and as an example to the kids then I better have one that is less intrusive and more comfortable. I guess I do not need an auto-inflate model, I just figured if I ever fell into the water it would be because I was having some sort of "medical event" or something and may not be able to pull the inflate cord. Our sons are 8 and 4 so clearly neither of them would be able to jump in and save/secure me. While I'm not Michael Phelps I certainly can swim for survival, as it were. Maybe it comes down to price because again I am hoping to find a great deal around Balck Friday perhaps.

[Smalls]

Once in a while you can find the Onyx a/m 24’s (both auto inflate or manual) on sale for less than $80 at academy or Sportsman’s. 
 

Well worth the investment. I can fish an entire tournament (kayak, so it has to stay on 100% of the time), and I don’t notice I’m wearing it at all. I often forget to take it off after getting off the water. 

[pauldconyers]

5 hours ago, Smalls said:

Once in a while you can find the Onyx a/m 24’s (both auto inflate or manual) on sale for less than $80 at academy or Sportsman’s. 
 

Well worth the investment. I can fish an entire tournament (kayak, so it has to stay on 100% of the time), and I don’t notice I’m wearing it at all. I often forget to take it off after getting off the water. 

When I see numbers or specs like 21s and 24s what does that refer to?

[Smalls]

7 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

When I see numbers or specs like 21s and 24s what does that refer to?

 I assume some measurement of buoyancy, or possibly just a model designation. Honestly have no idea

[FishTank]

I have not been a fan of the auto pfd or the manual inflatable ones.  I saw one fail years ago, operator error but an error non the less.  It sort of put me off ever since.  If I had to choose, this guy has been my favorite when kayaking.

 

Comfortable, breathable, lots of pockets and it works for a 225lb guy. 

[A-Jay]

On 10/28/2019 at 5:49 PM, pauldconyers said:

Both boys already have properly fitting life jackets. I too have a new Bass Pro traditional styled life jacket. I just do not like how restricting they are and how hot they can be in the summer. So I figured if I MUST wear one for my safety and as an example to the kids then I better have one that is less intrusive and more comfortable. I guess I do not need an auto-inflate model, I just figured if I ever fell into the water it would be because I was having some sort of "medical event" or something and may not be able to pull the inflate cord. Our sons are 8 and 4 so clearly neither of them would be able to jump in and save/secure me. While I'm not Michael Phelps I certainly can swim for survival, as it were. Maybe it comes down to price because again I am hoping to find a great deal around Balck Friday perhaps.

"Terrific, thanks again for your input! I had one final question of you about a different subject if you'd be so kind. In the past I have read how much of a proponent you are of using quality PFD. I wondered if you would check out this question I posted a few days ago and give me any option or advice you might have".

 

 My advice is this - having a properly fitted, quality, dependable & effective Life Jacket in a must, especially for children where fitting them correctly can be challenging.

I would not place my children in a self-inflating model - when worn & fitted properly, the standard unit works perfectly  without any intervention EVERY TIME.  That's peace of mind for me.

What you wear is up to you.  I chose Mustang survival products as I have a long personal & professional history with their products.

Life Jackets are not an item I bargain shop for.

I get the Best because I'm worth it.

YMMV

A-Jay

[pauldconyers]

3 hours ago, A-Jay said:

"Terrific, thanks again for your input! I had one final question of you about a different subject if you'd be so kind. In the past I have read how much of a proponent you are of using quality PFD. I wondered if you would check out this question I posted a few days ago and give me any option or advice you might have".

 

 My advice is this - having a properly fitted, quality, dependable & effective Life Jacket in a must, especially for children wear fitting them right can be challenging.

I would not place my children in a self-inflating model - when worn & fitted properly, the standard unit works perfectly  without any intervention EVERY TIME.  That's peace of mind for me.

What you wear is up to you.  I chose Mustang survival products as I have a long personal & professional history with their products.

Life Jackets are not an item I bargain shop for.

I get the Best because I'm worth it.

YMMV

A-Jay

Yeah, I am totally good with life jackets the two boys have. I just need to get myself a different one. The traditional styled one I have from BPS is just to hot and bulky to where I don't even want to wear it and my wife has made it CLEAR that is not an option, especially if the boys are with me. I guess I would have to decide between a model that is a manual or automatic one. Automatic sounds like a better option but it might sort of come down to price for me. The ones that have a C02 cartridge with it, roughly how many "inflations" do you get per cartridge?

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, pauldconyers said:

Yeah, I am totally good with life jackets the two boys have. I just need to get myself a different one. The traditional styled one I have from BPS is just to hot and bulky to where I don't even want to wear it and my wife has made it CLEAR that is not an option, especially if the boys are with me. I guess I would have to decide between a model that is a manual or automatic one. Automatic sounds like a better option but it might sort of come down to price for me. The ones that have a C02 cartridge with it, roughly how many "inflations" do you get per cartridge?

I wear these ~ 

A-Jay

[Harold Scoggins]

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Life Jackets are not an item I bargain shop for.

I get the Best because I'm worth it.

YMMV

A-Jay

Well said @A-Jay!

[Smalls]

3 hours ago, pauldconyers said:

Automatic sounds like a better option but it might sort of come down to price for me. The ones that have a C02 cartridge with it, roughly how many "inflations" do you get per cartridge?

You only get 1 inflation per cartridge. But the rearm kits are cheap, and easy to install. 
 

 

[pauldconyers]

After some time on the water I ran by BPS tonight to look at these. Saw some models that said A/M 24 or A/M 33 on them. It appears the A/M part stands for automatic or manual inflation. It also appears the number refers to the pounds of buoyancy it offers. My question is how do you determine how much you "need"? Is it determined by your body weight? I assume more is better (which costs more) or is the higher amount truly overkill and just a waste of money? Anyone have an idea on how to determine the appropriate amount?

[Russ E]

39 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

After some time on the water I ran by BPS tonight to look at these. Saw some models that said A/M 24 or A/M 33 on them. It appears the A/M part stands for automatic or manual inflation. It also appears the number refers to the pounds of buoyancy it offers. My question is how do you determine how much you "need"? Is it determined by your body weight? I assume more is better (which costs more) or is the higher amount truly overkill and just a waste of money? Anyone have an idea on how to determine the appropriate amount?

I have both. the a/m 24 is lighter and more comfortable, I wear it in summer when I am fishing.

I use the a/m 33 whenever I am running the big motor and when I am fishing in cooler weather.

the a/m33 is a type II life vest, if you are running a motor boat this is the life vest you want. It has more floatation and has a better chance of turning you face up if you hit the water unconscious..

the a/m 24 is a type III life vest. it is not made for cruising with a motor. it will probably not turn the wearer face up if he enters the water unconscious.

[pauldconyers]

8 minutes ago, Russ E said:

I have both. the a/m 24 is lighter and more comfortable, I wear it in summer when I am fishing.

I use the a/m 33 whenever I am running the big motor and when I am fishing in cooler weather.

the a/m33 is a type II life vest, if you are running a motor boat this is the life vest you want. It has more floatation and has a better chance of turning you face up if you hit the water unconscious..

the a/m 24 is a type III life vest. it is not made for cruising with a motor. it will probably not turn the wearer face up if he enters the water unconscious.

Thanks for the advice once again Russ! I'm going to try to keep an eye open for Black Friday sale online or around us here locally. Academy has a good selection it appears so we will see what I find.

[Russ E]

31 minutes ago, pauldconyers said:

Thanks for the advice once again Russ! I'm going to try to keep an eye open for Black Friday sale online or around us here locally. Academy has a good selection it appears so we will see what I find.

I deploy and rearm the life jacket every 2 years.

most companies suggest every 3 years.

I deploy mine to make sure it still works and has not rotted.

A word of advice. if you deploy the a/m 33 while wearing it, it will look something like this.

 

 

well not quite that bad?

[pauldconyers]

16 minutes ago, Russ E said:

I deploy and rearm the life jacket every 2 years.

most companies suggest every 3 years.

I deploy mine to make sure it still works and has not rotted.

A word of advice. if you deploy the a/m 33 while wearing it, it will look something like this.

 

 

well not quite that bad?

LOL

[RB 77]

Pops and I use the Bass Pro manual/ auto inflate ones. Fortunately for Pops, he has never had to "use" his. Myself on the other hand, well lets just say those things work like a charm. Glad to know they work great. Not so glad I got to be the test pilot. That style really is the way to go. I hardly even notice I'm wearing one at all.