Auto-inflatable PFD choices

[colobear]

We are in the market for two auto-inflatable PFDs and want to find out from this esteemed group, what you think about them. There seem to be three brands available: Mustang, Stearns, and Westmarine. None are cheap. I am looking hard at the Mustang airforce MD3001 but have to see if there is any real difference other than label. We have good off-shore jackets on board but want the Auto-inflates for the convenience. We opt for the auto-inflate because we think getting conked on the head while going over the side might make manually inflating a little hard. So...does anyone have a preference and if so, why?

[flapbreaker]

I have never used an inflatable however over the last couple of years I have read enough reports to make me question a little bit whether or not I would trust them. The auto-inflate style needs a replacement canister every year to ensure that the firing mechanism hasn't gone bad. To me that's kind of expensive if you have more than one vest.

A few things that run through my head when contemplating buying one.

1) Foam floats guaranteed. You never know if there would be a canister failure until it's too late.
2) what if I snag the pull cord on something - poof instant puffer fish.
3) The inflatables float you from the neck up. Not sure if I want to be so low in the water.
4) The inflatables might be hard for a rescuer to get a good hold on to pull you into a boat where as standard vests might provide a better grip.
5) I asked a coastguard auxiliary guy if he would use one. He said, We'll they are approved by the coast guard but I wouldn't use one.

Having said all of that. They are safer than wearing nothing. So if having the inflatables means you would wear them all the time as apposed to having foam vests stowed then I say go for it. I think I would put my foam vest on in obvious rough seas but that's just my comfort level.

[JamesTXSD]

We have the West Marine Off Shore with the integral harness that we have use on our sailboats. We do re-arm them annually. Not cheap, but reasonably comfortable (compared to a full off-shore type PFD). I know we should wear them all the time, but we find that we generally use them when on deck alone, in rough weather, at night, or especially when going to the bow in snotty weather. Can you count on them when needed? Amongst our sailor buddies, it seems to be a resounding "yes." If you will wear it (because it is more comfortable), then it is going to be better than no PFD. Realistically, I don't see wearing one inside the cabin of a C-Dory. I do like the harness capability on a sailboat... anyone use that on their C-Dory?

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[Adeline]

I'm a big fan of Mustang. I have a manual inflator myself. For years I waited for a Coast-Guard approved version of their auto-inflator. Then the Taki-II capsized on the Tillamook bar, trapping some of the passengers inside the capsized cabin. I decided that I didn't want a vest that might auto-inflate inside an inverted vessel because I feared that I might not be able to swim down and away to escape. Here is some helpful info http://www.mustangsurvival.com/resources/gallery/videos.php?browse=APPLICATION&mid=1

[Ted Osborne]

Colobear. A number of years ago I purchased at the boat show an inflatable vest that can be blown up by mouth or will inflate when a vest pocket is pulled. It was from Stormy Seas and is veeery comfortable to wear. You can find them at: Stormy Seas. Inc. on the web. At the time I purchased mine they were located in Poulsbo and could be reached at: 800-323-7327 [ don't know what the area code might be now] or if that phone # is valid.

[Jeff and Julie]

We purchased the Mustang auto-inflates and we really like them. They have a padded collar and are very comfortable to wear.
We tried some that West Marine had but the strap that goes across the back felt really funny to us.

Jeff and Julie

[flapbreaker]

For those with the auto inflates, it might be educational for you to jump in the water this summer with them on (provided it's time for a new inflation canister) and see how they respond and how you float in the water to see if you like how they work. Just a thought. Report back if you do.

[JamesTXSD]

Hi Flapbreaker. I did try mine. It takes a couple seconds before it inflates. The way it inflates, it floats you face up, but the tubes (bladders?) do rise right up under your chin. It works. On mine, the tubes are yellow, for better viz. If you needed to get out of it in a hurry, the connectors in the front can be undone with one hand. I didn't try putting it back on in the water. HTH

Best wishes,
Jim B.

[Da Nag]

At the risk of stating the obvious for folks considering the autos - unlike a traditional foam PFD, they don't count towards your required PFD's unless worn.

We usually wear our inflatables all the time, as they are so unobtrusive. But there are times I don't - which is why I've got a pair of cheapie foam PFD's on board, just to stay legal.

[Sea Wolf]

Just for the record-

After buying one of the West Marine inflatables that were on sale we talked about a few months ago, I returned it because it was too uncomfortable as copmpared with a really good standard flotation vest designed to be worn contnuously (not a cheapie rule satisfier). Try one on along side an inflatable before you spend $200 for something twice as expensive and half as comfortable. Joe.

[rogerbum]

I bought the West Marine offshore auto/manual inflateables. These come equipped with an auto inflation system, a device to convert it to fully manual and a spare cartridge. When fully inflated, they provide 33.7 lbs of buoyancy - which is about double what a typical foam vest provides. They are considered typeV with type II performance when armed for automatic inflation, type III when armed for manual.

When properly maintained, the reliability and performance are excellent. I think the concerns of flapbreaker regarding reliability are unfounded and many military men and those in law enforcement entrust their lives to these (and similar) devices. While the coast guard aux member might not wear one, I beleive that many in the coast guard, navy, airforce and local law enforment do and have for years. The general consensus amongst users is that the increased comfort SIGNIFICANTLY increases actual use in the field and that the net benefit is positive.

Also it is important to note that the type V's DON"T count in your inventory UNLESS THEY ARE WORN. Hence, if you only have the Type V's on board, you MUST wear them to be legal. Since we got ours, we always have them on and the legal requirement is extra incentive. I bought the dual manual/auto ones since they contain a space cartridge and can be re-armed easily in the field if they unexpectedly inflate. The canister itself is of less concern than the dissolvable tablet that arms the firing mechanism. However both have recommended replacement schedules of every 2 years. The cartridges are CO2 and are very similar to those used in pellet guns. I suspect that the reliable lifetime of the cartridges (barring unexpected inflation) is actually much longer than 2 years.

The offshore (Type II rated) autoinflating life jackets support you in a very similar manner to other Type II non-inflatable devices. With 33 lbs of buoyancy, you will farther out of the water than with the vast majority of vests that people carry. Type II will also float you face up if unconcious.

As an aside, I also carry a Mustang bomber jacket that's a typeIII on board to wear on cold days/mornings.

[flapbreaker]

Didn't mean to come down on the blow ups. Just thought I would point out some potential downsides to them that people might not think about and don't exist in standard life vests. My concerns are not totally unfounded as I have knowledge of at least one death involving an inflatable. Having said that, I'm sure a fair number of people die wearing regular vests as well. I do think that I'm just paranoid that something won't inflate. You know murphy don't you.

[rogerbum]

It might be informative to learn about the circumstances that led to the death. Can you provide any details? Didn't mean to come down on you but I always provide an alternate opinion when I have one (it's a sickness). Oh and yes - I know Murphy - sometimes I think "Murphy is my co-pilot". That's why I have backups for damn near everything.

[flapbreaker]

Regarding the death. The following was posted by the survivor on another forum that I frequent and that he and his father was part of. Basically it's the coast guard account of things. Probably doesn't prove much about the inflatable but does make me wonder what happened.


 Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard Thirteenth District

DHS USCG BANNER

Â
Press Release

Date: Aug. 27, 2005
Contact: PA3 Adam Eggers

(206) 220-7237

SON'S ATTEMPT TO PERFORM CPR WHILE IN THE WATER UNSUCCESSFUL, FATHER DIESÂ

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard responded to a call Thursday from the master of a vessel stating his crew had pulled two people from the waters of the Columbia River.

The research vessel Point Sur's crew spotted a father and son, from Oregon City, Ore., floating in the water two and a half miles south of the Columbia River's mouth and called Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria, Ore., at 9:52 a.m.

The pair had been in a 20-foot jet drive boat when it was swamped by a wave and capsized. The Point Sur lowered their small boat to recover the two men.  The 32-year-old son was responsive when pulled aboard but attempts to rescucitate the 62-year-old father were unsuccessful.

The father and son were wearing lifejackets at the time. The father's inflatable lifejacket was too tight around his neck and was affecting his air supply. When the son noticed his father struggling for air he punctured the lifejacket, removed it and placed an inflatable cushion underneath his father to keep him afloat.

Due to the choppy sea conditions, the son was unable to keep his father afloat. While in the water, the son attempted to perform cardio pulmonary rescucitation but was unsuccessful.

Group/Air Station Astoria launched an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter to hoist the son from the deck of the research vessel and transported him back to the air station where emergency medical technicians were waiting. Coast Guard Station Cape Disappointment, Wash., launched a 47-foot motor lifeboat to recover the father from the research vessel.

Video of the hoist is availible at Coast Guard Group/Air Station Astoria by calling (503) 861-6214.

[CAVU]

I also have two of the West Marine (SOSpenders made) inflatables. It is important to maintain them but is also very easy. A note about the CO2 cylinders: my PFD calls for replacement once a year. However I agree with Roger that these are very durable units and a quick inspection can determine their condition. I weigh mine on an accurate scale to determine if it has leaked. If not I give it another year and replace every two years. I write on it with a magic marker to remind me. Since my boat is stored half the year the spring outfitting time is a good reminder to check everything. Works for me. I have had mine for five years and I am happy with them and have confidence in their performance.