Inflatable Life Jacket ?????????????????

[tompgrouse]

I am thinking of getting a couple of the inflatable (Sospenders) life jackets. Any opinions? Has anyone actually tested the jacket by inflating them? What is better the ripcord or automatic inflater?

Thanks

[wiley walleye]

I have been looking and checking also. They have improved their being vulnerable to rain and opening when not needed. It made sense to me to get the automatic in case thrown and hit your head etc and/or hit cold water and not be able to function.
I have checked three times and need to pass this on for anyone who may have missed it. In INDIANA if you are depending on it to make you legal in the boat, different than the other vest, these inflatables must be worn at all times or you are sol. I will act as though the other states would look at it the same but I am not sure.
Hope this helps some
Joe

[Boatnut]

Life jackets are approved by the coast guard and designated type I, II, III, IV, V etc. According to Boat/US, the manual inflatables are classified as Class III (same as "ski vest") and therefore do not have to be worn at all times. The Automatic ones are Type V and DO have to be worn at all times. Make sure you check which type rating your jacket is. State laws may dictate which type has to be worn and when.

[bigfish1965]

I don't think the Canadian Coast Guard yet reckognises them as an official floatation device. You'd still need a regular PFD, but these things sound like a great idea.

[1775prov]

I have the World Class Long Automatic model, and yes I jumped off the end of my dock and tested it after wondering for a year if it would really work. Worked exactly as advertised, really slick. I'm not sure why anybody would want to buy an inflatable and not wear it all the time. If I wasn't going to wear a PFD I sure wouldn't buy one that cost so much. My .02!

[BRS1]

Being new to the whole wearing a life jacket thing raised the same questions for me. Growing up I was a great swimmer and still am. My dad always wore his because he couldn't swim or float. Two weeks ago on Erie I got out with a pro and when we left the ramp area it was jacket on. We got to the spot where we rigged up to troll and I asked about the jacket thing and said I was considering those Sospender types as well. His comment was as follows "when you really need it do you want to find out it doesn't work". This really left an impression on me considering he is someone who fishes way more than I do, and also just passed his CG test for his capt's license.

My thought from now on won't be if I should go with the more comfortable jacket or not, but what do I want to keep me afloat in 8 footers on Erie? Remember the impression we leave with the younger ones also.

IMHO,

BRS1

[Atomic Eye]

I bought the automatic model last year. It also has a manual toggle that you can pull if you want to activate it. Once activated, they can be rejuvenated with a kit (includes a new CO2 cartridge & trigger) that must be purchased. Last weekend, I reread the instructions and came to understand that the automatic feature is triggered by dissolution by water of some compound. So, if you accidentally got a lot of water on it, like dropped it in the lake or in the bottom of a very wet boat with sloshing water, I think it would trigger. Then, you've got a fully inflated PFD that is still light weight but not as cool.

For hot, dry weather, like I normally fish in here in Northern NM, I think they're fine because it is more likely that I will wear them than a hot, insulated PFD. For a situation like that described in the post by BRS1 on Lake Erie with 8' waves, I speculate I would use a heavy PFD or an Extreme Flotation Suit - recall the "Perfect Storm?" But, I don't expect to fish the reservoirs here if the waves exceed 3 - 4'.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>