Warning- OPEN WATER topic! :) Self inflating life jackets?

[Slyster]

Who uses self inflating life jackets? Are they reliable? Ever tested yours? I'm sick of wearing no life jacket in the summer (the heat) and am looking into them now.. where's a good place to buy? Brands etc? Comfortable etc?

[PerchJerker]

I got one this winter, haven't used it yet. Sospenders, got it at Cabelas, they have a handful of other models and styles too. From everything I've heard they're reliable and effective.

Figured I might start wearing my life jacket more now that I'm out in the boat with my kids, since they have to wear them. And I go to Erie in April and a lot of times we wear them out there.

[CDE]

I bought one last spring. Liked it so well that I bought 2 more. The grandson's are required to wear lifejackets. These are so comfortable that no one complains about wearing them. I bought the SOS from Reed's. Best investment I made.

Clayton

[lawman]

I am looking at buying a couple myself. Especially since my wife can't swim a stroke (insert joke here). How are the automatic ones triggered.

[Guest]

I'm out catfishing all night half the time in the open water season. I do take practice of wearing a PFD when motoring, but I should be wearing one all the time.. lots of things to go bump in the river in the darkness.

I know these are triggered by water to self inflate, but thats all I know. Has anyone had one on in the rain, etc where they had a chance to learn of accidental inflation? They look comfortable, and I plan on getting one, but I can but wonder if I am going to get stuck in the rain some night and have it inflate on the boat ride to the access?

I guess I will find out the hard way. Maybe I will get 2 and have one of my passengers wear one and intentionaly get stuck in the rain to see what happens.

[kslipsinker]

There are two types of suspender style PFD's. A manual, ripcord style and the self activating. I am not sure what sets it off, but yo would think it would have been considered in the design for somewhat wet conditions.

[PerchJerker]

I have the automatic version and you can set it up (ie. arm it) so it is automatic AND manual, OR manual only. Instructions say that once you're in the water it takes 10 seconds for the automatic arming to fire off and inflate the vest.

[SteveWilson]

I use a SOSpenders model. I did try it out at the lake this past summer to see how it works. If you purchase one, get a couple of extra inflation kits.

[Random guy]

I have the SOSpenders(s/p) and really like them. I did jump in the water with one to see just how well it worked...kept my fat head above water and it inflated before I even relized it went.

The only trouble I did have with them is during a heavy rain one went off on the back of the seat. Scared the heck out of me.

[Guest]

As long as its a rare occurance, I could deal with one inflating at an unneccesary time. I think the cartridges are $20 and less for them on the average.

I wouldnt buy one that was manual only. If I fall out of the boat and take a good hit on the way out, the last thing I want to do is worry about trying to find a rip cord as I'm drifting with the current full speed towards a log jam.

It would make sense to have one that is manual and auto, but I can visualize scrambling for a rod in the middle of the night catfishing and get that rip cord hooked on something. An auto one may be the best option for someone like me who is a clutz.. but if the sensor somehow fails, it does no good if it doesnt inflate.

[Ufatz]

SOSpenders is the oldest name in the business. Don't leave shore without one. Automatics are dependable and tough. Nice item to wear in a float plane if the pilot will agree. Could very easily save your miserable carcass. The guy who came up with these devloped them afer watching his buddy drowned in a river. Been around for twenty years ++ now.

[Random guy]

I have had mine for several years and only had the one go off on me, and I have wore them in some bad weather on big water when there seems to be more water in the boat then under it. I like em for tournaments since you have to have them on all the time when trolling. They don't get hot or uncomfortable.

[ddsbyday]

You must be able to swim with this type of pfd. It would not be recommended for the wife that can't swim. It also would not count as a pfd on a pontoon if it not actually worn by someone. For example you are out fishing by yourself. If this is the only pfd you have and it is not beeing worn,you will be ticketed. I still have my vest with me just in case I remove the inflatable.