Lifejackets - Inflatables

Dave Diefenderfer

Dave Diefenderfer

Well-known member
Supporter
I want to replace, or at least add a new lifejacket to my inventory. I have a nice camo life jacket that has mesh at the shoulder. I am very diligent to wear it while underway, all year round, as I swim like a rock. The issue I have is I bought this years ago to fit over all my hunting gear, when I was wearing XL and weight 220lbs. I now wear Med, and go 160lbs. Even snugged up over my hunting gear it is bulky, and in the summer, a real PITA. It is also showing fading from the UV, and I know at some point the material will start to give. So I have been considering the inflatables for the first time (in the past the $$$ was the turn-off). Now the flexibility in adjusting the sizing from summer to winter and the fact that they are so much smaller to pack....

So first off, while the auto feature is potentially a lifesaver....do you find false activations a PITA? Rain? Wading for decoys or ducks, pulling the boat around in wading water? I normally wear my life jacket when walking in the water, unless I am very confident of the depth, and footing. A trip or stumble with the auto feature might cost me $20, and I can be clumsy in waders!

Can you shoot with the inflatable on? I am only talking about chasing down a cripple here, as I would likely remove it while in the blind or in an anchored boat. (I know, but you pick your risks)

The other advantage that has me thinking about the inflatable is the bright color of a deployed vest for recovery visibility....as was noted on some previous posts. Are all inflatables so colored? I don't see that specified in the adds?

What is the risk of a deployed vest deflating, being punctured? Don't know I have ever read anything about this scenerio? Scrambling to get back aboard, or onto a shore and damaging the bladder would really suck!
 
Dave,

I have an older Sospenders brand that comes everywhere with me. I use it for everything from kayaking in summer and in winter over my hunting clothes. I don't find it restrictive at all. Very comfortable to wear. The one I have also has large "D" rings so you can clip yourself onto a lifeline. It only discharge on me once, that was when it got hosed down when someone was helping me clean the boat. It cost about $20 for a re-arming kit.


http://www.stearnsflotation.com/33-Gram-Easy-Repack-Series-Inflatable-Life-Jacket-P44.aspx#.UwYyGRQo6Uk
 
Dave,

I have the Onyx inflatable. I wear it all the time in the summer. Also their service department is great. Two years ago I noticed a safety pin that keeps the co2 mechanism was broken. I called the service department and they sent me at no charge several of these green pins. Now with that said I bought your float coat because I don't trust the inflatable that much when it comes to going into the water wearing heavy clothes in freezing temps during hunting season.I too swim like a rock.
 
So first off, while the auto feature is potentially a lifesaver....do you find false activations a PITA? Rain? Wading for decoys or ducks, pulling the boat around in wading water? I normally wear my life jacket when walking in the water, unless I am very confident of the depth, and footing. A trip or stumble with the auto feature might cost me $20, and I can be clumsy in waders!

Can you shoot with the inflatable on? I am only talking about chasing down a cripple here, as I would likely remove it while in the blind or in an anchored boat. (I know, but you pick your risks)

The other advantage that has me thinking about the inflatable is the bright color of a deployed vest for recovery visibility....as was noted on some previous posts. Are all inflatables so colored? I don't see that specified in the adds?

What is the risk of a deployed vest deflating, being punctured? Don't know I have ever read anything about this scenerio? Scrambling to get back aboard, or onto a shore and damaging the bladder would really suck!
Click to expand...


I would stay away from auto. I hunt with one as do a couple of buddies. One has the auto feature. It has gone off on him twice while setting decoys and retireiving ducks.

I have a Mustang inflatable (an if they are good enough for the military airmen, they are good enough for me) and it is bright yellow when inflated.

I can easily shoot with mine on although I choose not to. I set up in water that is at most 3 feet deep. Most places where I have to walk to retrieve the ducks is un to my belly button. If I were in deeper water, I might where it when walking around.

The bladder is pretty tough stuff. As with anything filled with air, I am sure there are ways in which you can puncture it.

Mark W
 
I have had mine for many years. I worked for a boat towing company and hated the vests they provided. Bought my inflatable after almost going overboard several times [getting smarter]. Happen to catch a sale. Best money spent. Would get another if they made one I like.
Would love a camo, fully adjustable [for big guys, summer/ winter, alot of adjustment]. Once inflated show orange/ yellow.
As far as auto vs manual, I like the auto feature. Cheap insurance [$20]. As you all know I took a spill this season, it didn't inflate. Wasn't submerged, just made a Large Splash. Dave try someone's, you'll love it. Still keep a extra vest on board.
 
I still have and wear a stormy seas inflatable pullover. The bladder is 25 years old, It has a manual inflate tube as well as C02. I would think the present day bladder's would be as durable if not better.
 
Two thoughts. Agree on all the concerns about an auto inflation system. On the other hand, if when I take a swim I end up getting bonked on the head or tossed into water so cold my coordination, strength, or thinking goes quickly, I don't think I want to rely on a device that requires me to be conscious, find the tab, and pull it.

Second, it sound like this is not an issue for you--Congratulations on the weight loss!--but as a guy with a 19 inch neck and a 54 inch chest, I do not find the inflatables I've tried to be as comfortable as a good mesh shouldered PFD. They rub my neck and don't move well if worn over several layers of clothes, and I don't think it's safe to wear them under any of your layers.
 
I have and always wear an older SOSpender. I love it mostly because it is so comfortable that I do forget it's on. I would warn against the auto feature because of the chance of it getting set off wading or just getting splashed. The price of recharge seems high but then again what is your life worth? There was a change some years back in the recharge fittings so make sure you can get replacements. I added a locator beacon to mine to cover the location problem.
 
Another vote for Mustang Survival. I keep four of them and four West Marine inflatables around for my children, their friends, and any adult guests that want one. In my book, they are useless if they are not automatics. We've had one accidental deployment, but the jacket was dropped into the water. Never had one deploy because of rain, waves, or being shot with the hose. They must be immersed for water to find its way to the discharge system.

Unlike an inherently bouyant pfd, you must/should check an inflatable before every trip and keep a recharge kit handy. They appear to be all around more comfortable and afford more freedom of movement than regular pfds. We use the same ones hunting as we do for fishing. They will adjust to go over a hunting parka just as easily as they will a t-shirt.

Along these same lines, Revere makes an excellent automatic/manual strobe light that comes with an optional clip that facilitates fastening the light to the manual inflation tube of an inflatable pfd. Once attached, the light fits nicely inside the velco closure of the jacket. A whistle will fit in there too. In my book these are two very worthwhile additions, especially if you spend much time underway in the dark.
 
"......I added a locator beacon to mine to cover the location problem.
Click to expand...


Is this so you know where you are Tom or for others to know where you are? Enquiring minds want to know......

Mark W
 
I haven't worn my inflatable a whole lot, but it's an auto/manual Cabelas inflatable. Just started using it last year and so far I really like it.

It's been very wet from rain, splash, etc but has not gone off.

Biggest eye opener for me was that it only counts as a legal PFD when it's being worn. So if you want to take it off while at anchor, you need a conventional PFD on board.

Read another guy's experience where he couldn't get back in his boat due to the PFD getting in his way, so I'm thinking I may disable the auto inflate and rely on manual.

Hopefully I'll never need any PFD, but I try to be prepared. They're a lot like a seat belt in a car, imo.
 
Tom/John, are you refering to the chest pouch style that you like, like this: http://www.basspro.com/Sospenders-16-Gram-Manual-Inflatable-Chest-Pak-Life-Vest/product/10200569/

As opposed to the horse collar style? Humm, I had not considered them.... but I would be even more concerned about one of these in automatic, as it will surely be wet when I moved decoys or the boat, or pick up a bird.... certainly looks comfortable and nothing on the shoulder that will interfer with shooting.
 
A (forum member) friend and I both wear the self inflating type. While hunting the very cold last couple of days of this season, he expressed concern about the self inflation mechanism possibly not functioning due to the severe cold. I got me to thinking and sparked a bit of concern. Has anyone ever had any experience, or heard of such malfunctions due to the cold with these type of devices?
 
Dave,
I would echo a couple of statements already made. The inflatable must be worn to count as a PFD. Second, I use a PFD that is a manually inflatable and automatically inflatable. If you get one I would also suggest you test it in the pool IN your hunting clothes. A real life situation is no place to find out that it doesn't work.
Frank
 
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