Life Vests-Auto Only or Auto/Manual

[5/0]

So any auto will still have a manual override? If so why the auto/manual versions?

[J Francho]

11 hours ago, 5/0 said:

If so why the auto/manual versions?

Because manual only can be sold at a lower price point.

[@reelChris]

21 hours ago, J Francho said:

I don't carry a rearming kit in the boat, just check the vest before and after I go out.  

 

The extra rearm kit is in the case of inflation of the vest, either accidentally (it got splashed, or blew off the deck and ended up in the water), or as designed (you fell in).  Without a rearm kit, you'd have to wear your brick orange vest until you got back home.  

[J Francho]

8 minutes ago, @reelChris said:

Without a rearm kit, you'd have to wear your brick orange vest until you got back home.

So what?  Or not wear one at all.  Or wear the inflated vest.  They don't accidentally go off.  I've got five of them, and the only time they went off was when someone fell in (once, not me) or they were intentionally set off.  I'm not inclined to spend the cash on an inventory of kits that have expiration dates at $80 a kit.  The reality is, if I'm in the boat, I'll probably get back without wearing one.  If I'm in the kayak, I'll just put my kayak vest on.  If the situation is any worse, having a rearming kit on hand is the LEAST of my problems right then.

[@reelChris]

Feel free to spend your money on whatever, but if you think they can't accidentally go off without a big splash, you haven't fished with anyone truly clumsy.  The manual pull tabs can hook on stuff.  

 

And, not every vest is that expensive to rearm.  The Onyx/Bass Pro kits are under $30.     

[txchaser]

The ones with hydrostatic sensors only go off under about 4" of water. It's pretty clever.

[J Francho]

Wait, now they're inflating without even getting wet? That's a problem. It sounds like both manual and AI vests are a bad choice for some. A Type III PFD doesn't require any special skill or maintenance to use - just put it on. I have several in different styles and they all work well. 

[schplurg]

9 hours ago, J Francho said:

Wait, now they're inflating without even getting wet? That's a problem. It sounds like both manual and AI vests are a bad choice for some. A Type III PFD doesn't require any special skill or maintenance to use - just put it on. I have several in different styles and they all work well. 

 

That's what I use in the yak. It's all I have.

 

I thought about getting an auto inflate for fishing a river from the bank. There's a big sign there that reads "People Drown Here", so I thought if I fell in and whacked my head it could save my life. Lotta rocks, beautiful river in the Sierras.

[gm4511]

Inflatable pfd rules have changed over the years.  Today, if your inflatable is rated by the USCG as  Type ll or Type lll for recreational use, it does not have to be worn to count.  If it's rated Type V, it does have to be worn.  Check the USCG label on ones your shopping or already own.  If you can't read the label, you should replace the pfd because it doesn't count at all.  

 

Inflatables that use Halkey-Roberts inflators (dissovable bobbin) are subject to unintended inflation from being stored in a hot and humid boat locker, used in fog, rain, mist, or the bobbin simply deterioates from time.  These pfd's are the cheapest inflatables but have more drawbacks.

 

Inflatables that use CM Hammar or hydrostatic inflators are not subject to unintended inflation.  They are more expensive but only require inflator replacement every 5 years.  

 

I hope this helps.  

 

[desmobob]

On 8/6/2020 at 9:09 PM, Smalls said:

Yes. They use a CO2 cartridge and bobbin that needs to be replaced if deployed, or after a certain amount of time. They vary in price depending on what model vest you buy 

The re-arm kit for my Mustang M.I.T. 100 was least expensive directly from Mustang ($29.95), which was a surprise.  Don't forget to check there first before purchasing a re-arm kit for your Mustang inflatable.

[Smalls]

22 hours ago, desmobob said:

The re-arm kit for my Mustang M.I.T. 100 was least expensive directly from Mustang ($29.95), which was a surprise.  Don't forget to check there first before purchasing a re-arm kit for your Mustang inflatable.

That's about what my A/M 24 kit costs.

 

I actually bought 4 kits for like $5 each. I randomly stumbled across them in a Walmart clearance aisle of all places, and bought what they had left.