Inflatable life jacket

[Capt Steve]

I know there have been several posts in the past on this subject, but I need some advice. A friend of mine gave me a nice gift a few weeks ago. It was a bass pro shops, A/M 24 inflatable life jacket. He knew I wanted one.
I used it twice while I was out fishing then each time put it away in my dry storage. Plus, my boat is kept under a canvas cover backed inside of my carport. 

The next time I went to use it and when I opened up my dry storage locker I found the jacket had self inflated. 
I called customer service at bass pro and after some discussion, they agreed to send me a re-arming kit. As much as I appreciate them helping me, I did not agree with their suggestion. We decided that it must be the Florida humidity, causing the jacket to self inflate. If that's the case, I feel like that's a poor design. They suggested I keep the lifejacket indoors. I reminded them that it was a life jacket and belonged in my boat.

After I re-armed the lifejacket, I kept it indoors for about one week. Then I took it outside and put it inside my boats dry storage hatch. A few days later, I opened up the hatch and found the life jacket had self inflated again.
I took it to bass pro shops, and thankfully I got my money back. I do not want another one of this type if that's gonna happen every time 

They had an AM33 model. I'm not sure what the difference in this is other than it appears you can make it manual only.

They also have the Mustang brand jackets. I assume they must be a better quality because they were over $250.

however, one of the reps there told me the Mustang jackets do the same. 
My question is do any of you that live in high humidity areas have the same problem? Or did I just get defective jackets?

if I have to pay the extra money to buy a better jacket, I will do that. But I don't want to spend the money just to have the same thing happen.

I would prefer to have one that self inflates just in case I get thrown out of the boat and hit my head. 
Sorry for the long post, but I'm sure we have some life jacket experts out there that can help me. 
Thanks in advance

[MN Fisher]

Spend the money, get the Mustang HIT - it doesn't trigger on moisture but on hydro-static pressure. You can leave it out in the rain and it won't go off - but go overboard, and the pressure of the water triggers it.

 

@A-Jay, our retired Coastie, swears by them.

[Jig Man]

A friend of mine works for the Corps of Engineers.  He said they only wear the Mustang like MN Fisher recommends so I bought one.  It stays in the boat and has done great for 3 years.

[ElGuapo928]

My older Mustang has decided to self inflate a couple of times. Once when I first got it, and again a couple of years later. We’re going on 5 years now without incident, but I keep a rearm kit ready anyway.

[A-Jay]

I have ELITE 28 HYDROSTATIC INFLATABLE PFDs (Model: MD5183)

& ACCEL 100 FISHING FOAM VESTs (Model: MV4626) in the Pro-V Bass Boat.

There's a HIT HYDROSTATIC INFLATABLE PFD (Model: MD3183 02) on me for every trip in the Old Town Canoe. 

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/

Often imitated, rarely duplicated.

 

A-Jay

[volzfan59]

I have a BPS A/M 24 and an Onyx A/M 24 clear. Where I live in AR it gets crazy humid. I just bring mine indoors when not in use. No self-inflation issues at all. That said, Mustangs are an excellent option.

[TOXIC]

The only way I would wear an auto inflate is if I could not swim and was standing on the deck fishing.  I prefer full jackets and also prefer those that turn your head right side up in the water.  Currently, I have the full jacket and I take it off to fish.  It stays hooked to my kill switch so it’s on every time I start the big motor.  My fear is not of an auto inflate inflating, it that it won’t.  

[Darth-Baiter]

i want a Mustang for the occasional day i go in my bud's bassboat.  maybe 5-10x a year.

 

in my kayak, i wear the regular one..i dont even want my hair to get wet if i go overboard.

[Capt Steve]

Just FYI. My plans are to have the inflatable jacket just for while I'm fishing. Especially when I'm fishing alone. Which I do quite often. I've never worn a jacket while fishing before but as I get older, I feel like it may be a good idea. You never know what may happen. I have almost lost my balance, standing on the bow of the boat and hitting the trolling motor button when the motor is turned 90 degrees. No matter how good of a swimmer you are, if you fall out of a boat and it's very windy, wind can push the boat away from you before you could catch it if you were an open water. 

I have a full vest that I keep connected to my kill switch. I always wear that when I'm running the boat.

I hate the thought of wearing any kind of lifevest when it's 95° here in Central Florida but I'm trying to get used to it. 
 

 

[MN Fisher]

14 minutes ago, Capt Steve said:

I hate the thought of wearing any kind of lifevest when it's 95° here in Central Florida but I'm trying to get used to it. 

Nice thing about the inflatables - they don't cover all that much of your body. I wear mine from launch to landing - even in heat that drains me...rather be uncomfortable than chance death.

[txchaser]

Mustang is better, by a lot.

 

Also, if I recall correctly the Mustang HIT (now replaced by the 150 I think)  is -more- likely to roll you on your back when knocked out than any recreational life vest. Here's why:

 

Type II PFDs – or offshore buoyant vests – are designed and developed for environments where wearers find themselves in isolated or rough waters. Offshore PFDs offer high buoyancy, and are suitable for most water conditions.

Example - the Mustang HIT or 150. Minumum 33lbs for the class, the 150 is 38Lbs. 

Alternate example this ugly hot thing

 

Type III PFDs - or inshore buoyant vests - are specifically designed for activities where adventurers can see the shore on calm or inland waters. 

Example NRS Chinook - 16.5 lbs of buoyancy - Type III

 

The one caveat I can find is that the HIT/150 isn't really designed for hitting the water at high speed on plane, which is why the Mustang Elite exists. Different kind of harness. 

 

And at least as important for me, I'll actually wear it in the comically hot summers we have in Texas. I fish alone and consider myself to be a strong swimmer in rough environments, but I can't save myself if I'm knocked out. I take it with me on guided trips too, I'm not relying on anyone else to be strong enough to rescue me in a bad situation. It's me or the PFD. 

 

Could they not inflate? Perhaps. Wouldn't be long before they were out of business though. And if SAR, Coast Guard, and specops are all picking the same thing, I'm going to pay attention.