Inflatable PFD

[LionHeart]

Hey guys, I'm looking for any advice I can get on a good inflatable PFD.  I plan to buy one for my dad for Christmas.  He recently got a fishing boat, and as he is getting a bit long in the tooth, I worry about him out on the water by himself.

 

He always has a life vest but just like his son, never wears it for the same reasons other people don't wear them.  I'm thinking an inflatable may make be the ticket.

 

Although I am not a man of great means, I see buying a life vest the same as buying a bullet proof vest, if it may have to save your life, best not to skimp.

 

The features that are a must are:

 

Most reliable (obviously), but I want something that he will be able to wear if if fishes in the rain without fear of deployment.

 

Comfort.  It needs to be cool and breathable.  It gets warm during Tennessee summers and I don't want him taking it off because it is too hot.

 

It needs to fit a bigger guy.  My dad is a bigger fellow and again, I want him to be comfortable in it or he ain't gonna wear it.

 

If anybody has any recommendations I would appreciate it very much.

 

Thanks-

James

 

[Goldstar225]

I use the Mustang HIT auto/manual inflatable.  The positive is that since it's hydrostatic, it only deploys if it's submerged more than 4" deep, no dissolving pill.  It's comfortable.  If a persons girth exceeds 48" an extension strap is available.  The negative is that they are expensive at $200.00 +. 

 

If you don't see the need for an auto inflating vest there are models available with a pull tab for  a lot less.

 

Just my opinion but I will not use an inflatable belt.

[FrankN209]

9 minutes ago, Goldstar225 said:

I use the Mustang HIT auto/manual inflatable.  The positive is that since it's hydrostatic, it only deploys if it's submerged more than 4" deep, no dissolving pill.  It's comfortable.  If a persons girth exceeds 48" an extension strap is available.  The negative is that they are expensive at $200.00 +. 

 

If you don't see the need for an auto inflating vest there are models available with a pull tab for  a lot less.

 

Just my opinion but I will not use an inflatable belt.

I've been looking for one myself, this just might be the one for me. Thanks. 

[Jig Man]

I had one of the original SOSpenders it was not comfortable so I didn’t wear it.  A friend of mine works for the Corps of Engineers.  He told me that they use the Mustang like Goldstar mentioned.  On his recommendation I bought one.  I can wear it all day and do.  I am trying to convince my wife that she needs one.

[A-Jay]

I wear & trust my life to these ~ 

A-Jay

[FordsnFishin]

I wear a auto inflate, pull cord optional Onyx. Can be had for around $100.

 

Im a bigger guy, an this jacket fits well and is comfortable. Very light, various colors to choose. 

[Angry John]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

I wear & trust my life to these ~ 

A-Jay

I use mustang survival as well.  Good enough is never my.position when it comes to safety gear.  I also spent 600 on a motorcycle helmet.

[scbassin]

This is what I use.

https://www.sportsmans.com/fishing-gear-supplies/life-jackets/onyx-a-33-in-sight-deluxe-tournament-auto-inflatable-life-jacket/p/1416896

[txchaser]

https://www.amazon.com/Mustang-Survival-Corp-Hydrostatic-Fluorescent/dp/B002MXU80U

 

Mustang HIT. Bought it for fishing alone, assuming I hit my head. Is a type II so more likely to roll me over on my back. I didn't even notice it on this summer... never got in the truck with it still on, but came close. 

If this one doesn't have a kill switch attachment, there's a slightly different model that does. 

 

If he's going to be going fast on the water there's a version that looks like A-Jay's above. Not as cool because of the closed back, but apparently better for impact at speed.

[12poundbass]

I have the Onyx auto manual inflatable pfd. It’s pretty comfortable and I could easily wear it all day if needed. 

[A-Jay]

11 minutes ago, 12poundbass said:

I have the Onyx auto manual inflatable pfd. It’s pretty comfortable and I could easily wear it all day if needed. 

That's an important concern and one that needs to be considered.

I can admit many times I've realized that after 30 minutes on the drive home in the truck,

I was still wearing my inflatable . . . 

A-Jay

 

[12poundbass]

36 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

That's an important concern and one that needs to be considered.

I can admit many times I've realized that after 30 minutes on the drive home in the truck,

I was still wearing my inflatable . . . 

A-Jay

 

I could see myself doing that with mine as well. 
 

I could also see you having a conversation with the local PD after concerned citizens call regarding a strange man walking around town wearing a PFD, sunglasses on a cloudy day, and face buff masking his identity. #ihavebailmoney ?

[BoatSquirrel]

Auto inflatable PFDs would be perfect if they would just inflate every time they hit the water.  

I have posted this article on this subject in previous similar discussions.  This is MLF pro John Cox's story about waking up on the bottom of Smith Lake after his inflatable did not work.  I also know of 4 other guys who have been in the water whose inflatables failed to function properly, but hey, you do you.

https://www.***.com/news/bass-boat-wreck-in-smith-lake-flw-tour-event/

 

[TnRiver46]

Hmmm the article says neither his PFD nor his marshal's inflated.

[A-Jay]

4 hours ago, BoatSquirrel said:

Auto inflatable PFDs would be perfect if they would just inflate every time they hit the water.  

I have posted this article on this subject in previous similar discussions.  This is MLF pro John Cox's story about waking up on the bottom of Smith Lake after his inflatable did not work.  I also know of 4 other guys who have been in the water whose inflatables failed to function properly, but hey, you do you.

 

Something that is not mentioned in this case or any of the few I've seen, is in regards to how (or even IF) the equipment was maintained.  Few products will perform properly if not checked routinely and kept in serviceable working order.

For all we know - both may have been previously expended. 

I also believe that adding the make & model of the faulty Life Jackets would have been an important nugget of information for an interested reader.  However that is mysteriously or conveniently omitted.

And while I can respect the skills & experience of any & all 'professional' anglers'.

I have a bit of experience running boats myself, I find it interesting that the man's boat just mysteriously flipped over, out of nowhere, and with out excessive speed ?

I'd put this one in the 'we may not have the whole story here' category. 

Otherwise - Ranger boats could have a rather significant hull design flaw that no one else knows about or has ever experienced.  

All of which might not add much validity to this 4 year old story.

Risk is a tricky deal ~

 

A-Jay

[GreenPig]

I wear my Mustang Survival Elite HIT when going solo. It's not cheap but it is comfortable to wear. 

[Goldstar225]

Every time the subject of inflatable PFD's comes up, people post about failures.  OK, it's a man made device that has to activate so I suppose some will fail.  Yet despite all the hand wringing they are still approved for use by the Coast Guard.  Maybe they know a little bit about the subject?

 

Here's my usage.  When fishing with someone else in the boat, I use a standard vest but only when running the outboard. When fishing solo I wear the Mustang the entire time I'm in the boat, I won't do that with a standard vest.  So for those who don't trust an inflatable PFD do you think I'm better of wearing the Mustang or nothing at all???

[BoatSquirrel]

1 hour ago, Goldstar225 said:

So for those who don't trust an inflatable PF

I have been the voice against so I will answer.  

Of course the inflatable is better than no PFD.  

Whichever you choose, just wear the thing, please.

Good luck with your pops LionHeart!

 

[OnthePotomac]

On 12/9/2019 at 9:53 PM, A-Jay said:

I wear & trust my life to these ~ 

A-Jay

 

On 12/9/2019 at 9:53 PM, A-Jay said:

I wear & trust my life to these ~ 

A-Jay

I am with A-Jay on the Mustang and I never, never take it off on the tidal Potomac.  I f you go over the side on an outgoing tide coupled with the river flow to the ocean you can find yourself in deep do very quickly.  

[LionHeart]

Thanks for all the advice guys.  It is much appreciated.  I went with the Mustang Survival Corp HIT.  Can't wait to give it to my dad.

[zeth]

I use the one in my profile pic. Spinlock Deckvest Lite USCG rated version.  Highest flotation of all, lightweight, comfortable, comes in a variety of colors. You can DM me I think I know a discount code. I have been using these since 2015. Oh and it has a very good warranty for a PFD. 

[detroit1]

Manual vests won't help if you  had some kind of medical issue..(passing out, etc.)

[Dirtyeggroll]

On 12/9/2019 at 8:53 PM, A-Jay said:

I wear & trust my life to these ~ 

A-Jay

Is the one on the left (black) the Mustang Elite?

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Dirtyeggroll said:

Is the one on the left (black) the Mustang Elite?

Yes.

A-Jay 

[king fisher]

While guiding in Alaska I always wore an inflatable that was also a fishing vest.  I never took it off because I needed everything in the pockets of the vest.  By law I was required to have in the boat a coast guard approved large cumbersome vest for each guests and myself.  One day I was getting checked by a State trooper, I asked if it was OK to have the guests as well as myself wear the inflatables, instead of having the bulky jackets on board stuffed under the bow.  There isn't much room in an 18 foot john boat so saving space was always a priority.  The trooper told me he would much rather see everyone wearing an inflatable than see the Coast Guard recommended ones stashed away.  Made sense to me.  He was the one that was enforcing the regulations, so I left the bulky jackets at camp, and made sure the guests always had the inflatable fishing vests on.  At the end of each season I would pull the cord to see if the vest inflated.  It always did.  An inflatable vest is comfortable as well as handy, so will most likely be on when you need it.  The best PFD made is useless if it isn't worn.