Advise PFD

[Logan Martin Cat]

Im looking at moving to an inflatable life vest and need help. I have always used my old 100MPH vest style jacket which can get uncomfortable wearing long hours fishing. Not as nimble as I once was so I feel the need to have PFD on especially when Im alone. I have heard stories that dew will cause the inflatable to inflate , it can get real wet here from dew at night. My question is to those of you that use the inflatable is this true will the inflate from a heavy dew or light mist. Also what brand is best auto/manual etc. and best for price. ???Thanks Mackey

[apdriver]

Mackey,Im sure dew will lead to inadvertent inflation but just moisture over a period of time will if left outside. We are talking about the auto inflate models. Some people take them inside when not in use and this helps. I have had mine inflate several times while stored in a boat compartment.If you purchase the manual type it wont inflate til you pull the cord. If you have a inflation event on a auto type vest, the manufacturers make a recharge kit but they run close to twenty bucks or so.

[GRR884]

3 pages of interesting stories on BBC today. Everything from being saved to false deployments.http://www.bbcboards.net/bbc-lounge/410 … -vest.html

[Anonymous]

The auto-inflatable vest has a “pill” in the cartridge area. The “pill” dissolves when it gets wet and the vest inflates. It will go bad over time–about 6 months to a year–and needs to be replaced. If you periodically replace the “pill”, the cartridge wont inflate the vest. Or so the vest company told me.

[dbasketman]

My mustang is hydrostatic, and must be submerged to inflate. It has worked flawlessly for several years, and I wear as you described.

[clownshoes]

Compression sets off the mustang as Dbasketmans says- cheaper ones are activated by a cartridge that is activated by moisture and are prone to fire if wet in the right places. Been there- I no longer wear that.C.O.D. Jr. III

[laps19]

Also have a Mustang Hydrostatic vest as Dbasketman has. I believe that the have to be submerged several inches under water to deploy. I have been in some vicious rain storms and have had no problems at all. I wear it all day and dont even notice it. I wouldnt consider a manual vest if you fall out of the boat and hit your head you may not be able to pull the cord to inflate the vest. This is the vest that I have http://www.basspro.com/Mustang-Survival … uct/98131/MikeLast edited by laps19 on September 13th, 2013, 1:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.

[Anonymous]

I have one of the original auto-inflatable SOSpenders. I dont think they are made today. It still works fine and I change the “pill” periodically. Looking at this thread, it may be time for me to buy some new technology. At age 65 and fishing a rough water lake like LOZ, I wear the PFD all day. Even with the boarding ladder it is hard to get back into a bass boat at my age. I think I would feel safer with a new purchase because of this thread, Thanks, Guys!

[Logan Martin Cat]

Thanks to all for the information. LOZman Im like you at 67 and 90% of my fishing is alone at night I would feel safer with something on at all times. After reading post on BBC site and information from D, laps and Ward it looks like stick with old vest or go with the Mustang if move to inflatable. Talked to a couple guys here and most say same thing about the one activated by the pill, you never know when it will fire if at all and definitely will if the right spot gets enough moisture from a heavy dew.

[CaptPat]

+1 Mustang 3183

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