Craig Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Well, my wife asked me the other day what I wanted for my birthday this year. I was thinking of one of those inflatable PFD's. So I was looking at LeBaron and SIR online and I see they're anywhere from $130 to $300. I see some are Auto inflate and others are manual. I would imagine the auto is a good idea if you are knocked out. Anyone have one of these? What makes or models are worth looking at? Go with the auto feature? Thanks everyone. Yosemite Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blake Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have both types. One is a mustang belt manual PFD that goes around your waist. It is great because you can wear it all the time and it doesn't hinder you at all. I also have the automatic Nautilus for when I am fishing alone. The extra cash spent on an Auto was well worth the chance of being knocked out and dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have the BPS XPS Deluxe Auto Inflateable, it's automatic when immersed in water but can also be actuated manually. It's also a Type 2 PFD, it was $149 USD at BassPro and it's made by Mustang. I chose this one because of the Type 2 rating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishdawg Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 considering one those as well silly question about the automatic type, can you wear 'em in the rain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I bought an inflatable at CTC last spring. It isn't an automatic but I fish alone at night quite often and was more worried about perhaps falling overboard while trying to pull up the anchor or something stupid rather than getting knocked out and finding myself in the water. I think it was one of the best investments I have ever made! With the regular PFD's I often left it setting on the back of my seat (lot of good it would have done me when I was in the water) but it was uncomfortable and restricting. I went fishing to relax and enjoy myself. The inflatable PFD is so comfortable that many times I have come in from fishing and put the boat away, walked up to the house and only then realize that I have it on. (Usually because Sue tells me LOL). Either one is better than no PFD or a PFD left sitting in the boat while you are in the water but I won't ever go fishing again without mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I finally bit the bullet after 30 years of fishing with my PFD somewhere in the boat but not on me. Last summer, I purchased an automatically inflatable PFD made by Mustang. Its the Auto Hydrostatic model 3153. I made a decision that I would try to wear it at all times on the water while on a 1 week walleye trip. Keeping it on was a no brainer - I hardly knew I had it on. It was easy to put on, light weight, comfortable to wear and didn't impact my fishing movements at all. These auto inflatable PFDs are so comfortable to wear that one of my fishing partners reminded me in our cabin one evening that I still was wearing my PFD. To test that the bladder was completely air tight after I purchased it, I manually inflated the PFD and left it overnight. Full inflation required less than 6 full breaths. The full inflation in less than 6 full breaths is kind of nice to know in case there is ever a malfunction of the auto-inflate device. While these auto inflatable PFDs may appear to be costly, most of us spend more on life insurance premiums - every year. Its my understanding that there were some problems in the past with torrential rain or wave splash resulting in unwanted or unrequired inflation of some auto inflate PFDs. Apparently, that fault has been resolved. The Auto Hydrostatic Mustang model 3153 that I purchased is activated by a completely different mechanism - submersion in 4 inches or more of water activates the inflation device. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Just a note, these PFDS are not considered PFD's by the Co/Police if you are not wearing them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 When you own one, as Tomcat said "Keeping it on was a no brainer - I hardly knew I had it on.". Now there are some "no brainers out there......!" I think its' called Darwin's theory? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhioFisherman Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 Glen you got the one that goes both ways? Lot of guys I know use them, Mustang is a popular brand, also the BPS ones and Cabelas. A lot more comfortable than the padded vests. You will leave it on. safer! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Clemens Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 My wife and I started wearing them last year. When we pull away from the dock - THEY ARE ON !. We have the old vest type, so there a bit bulky. Someday we'll invest in the inflatable ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keram Posted February 13, 2007 Report Share Posted February 13, 2007 I have both ( manual & auto) by Mustang and have one of them all the time ( depends on conditions ). What I like the most is that you are forgetting wearing them, so comfortable. Auto is no brainer, but for manual I use similar device like kill switch for motor ( just in case) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Glen you got the one that goes both ways? Lot of guys I know use them, Mustang is a popular brand, also the BPS ones and Cabelas. A lot more comfortable than the padded vests. You will leave it on. safer! Yes! It's the auto inflate with a small "T" handle at the bottom in front that you pull sharply to manually inflate the vest, kind of a "fail-safe" option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Just a note, these PFDS are not considered PFD's by the Co/Police if you are not wearing them. What? Who says you have to wear your PFD to make it legal? Just looked in the catalogue and it says CCG approved for the Mustang models and Odyssey models. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BITEME Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 My personel choice would be not an inflatable DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TRUST AN AIR BLADDER WITH YOUR LIFE AS WE SAY IN THE MAINTENANCE WORLD ANYTHING MECHANICAL HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BREAK just a thought I woould recomend flotation with a high collar to float your head uprite you will never get me in a bladder ever!!!!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 What? Who says you have to wear your PFD to make it legal? Just looked in the catalogue and it says CCG approved for the Mustang models and Odyssey models. Squid is correct fisherman. Inflatables must be worn to meet their CCG approval rating. They don't count as a life jacket in the boat if they are not on your body and correctly fastened. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Squid Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 What Wayne said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I also just read the Mustang booklet that came with mine (manual inflator) and it says you must be 16 years old to wear these inflatables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fisherman Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Okay, learned something new of value, was aware of the age thing, but not the requirement to wear it, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 What? Who says you have to wear your PFD to make it legal? Just looked in the catalogue and it says CCG approved for the Mustang models and Odyssey models. it is true these inflatable PFDs do have to be on you to be legal, if you have them sitting on your chair or in storage, you had better have enough regular lifejackets or you will be charged Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tomcat Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 I just don't see the requirement to be wearing an inflatable PFDs (to be legal) as a negative. Indeed, isn't that the whole point - to actually be wearing your PFD? For over 30 years, I always had a PFD with me in the boat. Problem was - my PFD was never on!! My rationale for not wearing my PFD was it was uncomfortable, too warm and restricted my fishing motions. I'm truly thankful that an emergency situation never occurred where I would have had to test my ability to get to my PFD, if indeed I could have got to it at all. If an old dog like me can change his ways, anyone can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Tomcat, you are right but if they are the only PDFs you have on board and you wanted to take them off to go swimming to cool off or to put sun screen on or for whatever reason, at the moment you take it off you are breaking the law.... I just thought people should know the facts...... I have a self inflating one and I find it hot and uncomfortable on hot humid days, so I do take it off and have the regular PDFs on board... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FishFinder Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 (edited) i dont get the point of the auto ones, if you are knocked out whats gonna keep your face out of the water? Unless it inflates around your neck? Edited February 14, 2007 by FishFinder Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
irishfield Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 Closure for the family with a body fishfinder! In all seriousness, I'm pretty sure if worn correctly, when it auto inflates on water contact, the placement of the air bags dictate how the body will float..face up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keram Posted February 14, 2007 Report Share Posted February 14, 2007 In all seriousness, I'm pretty sure if worn correctly, when it auto inflates on water contact, the placement of the air bags dictate how the body will float..face up. Yup, what Wayne said I did test last summer in a swimming pool, I could not get my head underwater, regardless how hard I've tried. It' even harder then the phone to Revenue Canada to get some info Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greencoachdog Posted February 15, 2007 Report Share Posted February 15, 2007 (edited) i dont get the point of the auto ones, if you are knocked out whats gonna keep your face out of the water?Unless it inflates around your neck? A TYPE 1 AND 2 PFD FLOATS THE VICTIM FACE UP!... a type 3 does not! i guess you heard that eh? Edited February 15, 2007 by Greencoachdog Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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