Q about automatic PFDs

[The Baron]

I bought a couple of the automatic PFDs this year (lower end Bass Pro model), which are infinitely more comfortable than the old style life vests. The problem I’m having is I’ve had ours go off twice now due to humidity dissolving the little water soluble bobbin/trigger.  Both times while stored under the seat of our boat - first time I didn’t know better, second time I forgot to take it out.  At $40 for a recharging kit I’m hoping to avoid this.

 

So my Q is… is this typical for these types of vests?  Or, is there another style or brand that is less prone to going off from high humidity?

[MickD]

I have had three of these vests (two Cabelas and one Bass Pro)  for many many years and I've only had one go off despite having fished in pouring rain and storing them in my boat locker.  The one that went off actually got flooded in a mishap, so it was a legit case and not a problem.  

 

I think you need to find a better place to store them.  They probably are being exposed to more moisture than you think.  

 

Looks like the kits are from $22-$30, a little less expensive than your number.

[TOXIC]

Nest step up from the pill type is a different activating trigger.  It has something to do with water pressure and not moisture.  Personally, there have been too many stories of that style not going off for me and I wear a full vest when running.  

[A-Jay]

Instead of a water soluble bobbin/trigger, higher quality survival equipment uses

Hydrostatic Inflator Technology (HIT) automatically inflates under water pressure, while the manual inflation handle enables you to deploy the vest at any time. When inflated, the vest displays high visibility contrasting fabric for increased safety in rescue situations.

For my inflatable life vest, I use this model for a couple of reasons. 

https://mustangsurvival.com/collections/inflatable-pfds/products/elite-28-inflatable-pfd-auto-hydrostatic-md5183

 

A-Jay

 

[Jig Man]

What A-Jay said.   That’s the only way to go.

[volzfan59]

I've got an Onyx and a BPS inflatable PFD. Got one for Christmas and purchased the other. Only had them for a year, but they are the one thing that I don't leave in the boat all the time. It gets super humid down here in south Arkansas 

[Tennessee Boy]

I’m a cheap #!#@# but I go all out when it comes to PFDs.   It’s Mustang HIT for me.

[Woody B]

I didn't know that "HIT" meant.   My BPS inflatable inflated sitting on my rear deck behind my drivers seat in heavy rain.  It was pouring rain.  I didn't hear it inflate.  I don't know if it was spectacular or not.   I take mine out of the boat and put it in my truck when I load my boat.  

[Susky River Rat]

I have the mustang survival MIT 100 automatic I wear while running. I will be upgrading to a HIT. I did not do my homework on what everything meant.

 

I personally feel like mustang is the only brand to go with inflatables.

 

[airshot]

I have tried them on a few ocassions and found them to be uncomfortable....I have torn rotator cuffs in my shoulders and the weight ( yes they are heavier even though less bulky) and that weight bothers my shoulders.  Didn't realize the going off in the rain factor...makes them even less likable for me....

[padlin]

I’ve had a Mustang HIT for something like 7 or so years, the only time it went off was when I held it under water to see if it really worked before installing a new rearm kit, it did, but never in the rain. No problem with comfort for me.
 

The trigger device has an expiration date on it, supposedly good for 3 years, which you should replace by then. The 1st one I got off Amazon expired just 12 months after purchase so I returned it and got one at the local Cabela’s where I could look at the dates before buying. $40

 

[Choporoz]

I have two Mustang HIT's.  They are fine in the boat locker for weeks or in a monsoon.  I have an Onyx with the pill and it will go off if I leave it in boat compartment for more than a day.

[Way2slow]

Another option is not buying the high-priced kits.  You can buy a number of the bobbins, cylinders and pins separately for less than the cost of one kit.  Just one word of caution, the bobbins have an expiration date so make sure you are getting fresh ones and not some near their expiration date or past it when you think you are fresh new ones.  This applies to the kits as well as just the bobbins.

Nothing like getting a $75 Mustang kit to find it expires a couple of months after getting or has expired when you first receive it.

 

[TnRiver46]

I posted the video elsewhere but now came upon this thread,  Scott Martin jumped overboard into lake Saint Claire to attempt a cell phone rescue and his mustang didn’t inflate. 

[Alex from GA]

Amazon has the Onyx/Basspro pills for under $10 and complete arming kits for $23.

[GRiver]

I have a BPS one, even in light rain I ve never had it go off. But I don’t store mine in the boat, I keep mine in my shop and, if it does get damp or humid I take it inside the house were heat or A/C to dry it out.