Auto-inflatable PFD choices

Stearns just came out with a new version for paddlers. It is more like the belts that you see. I tried one on the other day and it is by far the most comfortable PFD I have ever put on. I'm thinking that even though it is manual it would be better for me as I am way too large for most of the PFDs I have found.

The ones Rogerbum got worked OK for me but they are still a bit uncomfortable for someone my size.

I have one of the Stearns automatics but it is very uncomfortable for me. Still I do wear it when I don't have my foam one on. I just wish I could find a good comfortable neoprene one. They are flexible and when I was smaller they were very comfortable.
 
THought I would bring this thread back to life. As my prior posts indicate, I had some reservations about the auto inflatable PFD's. I've done some research and am considering getting some over the winter. I've been looking at the Mustang Auto Hydrostatic Inflatable. It seems to address some of my worries.

Things I like.

1.) the firing mechanism doesn't engage based on moisture content but from hydrostatic pressure. It will inflate when submerged over 4" in depth but not from rain ect...

2.) no inflator maintanence for 5 years (however re-arming isn't cheap).

3.) "D" ring harness.


Downside is they are not cheap at $220 each.
MD3184large188.jpg

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products ... php?id=507
 
Thanks Flap... I am putting together my shopping list for the Seattle Boat show. I just get all giddy when there and overwhelmed at all the boating stuff....and C-Dory friends....and activities.... so...this year... I plan to work a bit smarter... Taking a 50 quart cooler with some local goods friends like in Seattle, and plan to fill it with stuff from the show...or...get it shipped home if not there at the show.

As long as I do not forget my list...this will work.

Byrdman
 
Often times, the more gadgets, the more can go wrong. Or in the case of a PFD, not go right. On USCG Auxiliary vessel exams I have seen several auto or manual inflatables that either didn't have a cartridge in them at all, an expended cartridge or the cartridge wasn't screwed in far enough so it could actuate.
In addition to the other regular types, I have two manually activated PFDs on board.

Just remember that USCG PFD regs say that in order for the inflatable to count as a PFD on board it must be worn.
 
Anna Leigh":2rrzuwl0 said:
Often times, the more gadgets, the more can go wrong. Or in the case of a PFD, not go right. On USCG Auxiliary vessel exams I have seen several auto or manual inflatables that either didn't have a cartridge in them at all, an expended cartridge or the cartridge wasn't screwed in far enough so it could actuate.
In addition to the other regular types, I have two manually activated PFDs on board.

Just remember that USCG PFD regs say that in order for the inflatable to count as a PFD on board it must be worn.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. On the above vest there is a "window" with either a red or green indicator that tells you weather it's good to go or not. I believe this unit is a quality one.

The only reason I'm considering an inflatable unit is that I find the vests to be uncofortable and sadly I don't often wear it. So even if there's some down side to the inflatables I guess it's better than what I'm currently wearing (on board). :thup
 
When we went sail cruising, we bought the "best" (most expensive) Stearns and Mustang inflatables we could get, including the harness. The harness was neat, but the vests were bulky. On the C-Dory now we got the cheapest harnesses from Defender, 33 lbs bouyancy, but no harness. Stearns 1339. On sale (during their spring sale,) for 80 bucks, catalog price 120... Fits great, and don't know how they work, thank goodness. Wear them mostly in the inflatable. Lot cooler than the foam vests we bought for the kayak.

The southern Boris
 
I have a couple of buddies who use one or another inflatable PFD, and my advice is to thoroughly pool-test yours before it becomes your main in-the-water survival tool. The fit varies considerably, depending on the "robustness" of your upper body. One very rotund buddy found that his large "chest" made his inflatable pretty useless. Another guy had his slip off over his head because of maladjustment (the PFD, not him :lol: ).

The other principal complaint is the stress of the strapping, compared to a full-on foam PFD, which embraces the torso over a much larger area of contact, and is very comfy in the water. I paddle a sea kayak a lot, and have worn my foam unit a lot swimming, practicing self rescue -- it fits well, and I no longer am even conscious of it, when in the water. On hot days, I hate wearing it, but I do, nonetheless.

One last consideration is the protection from buffeting and collision with other objects the foam provides.

Not knocking the inflatables -- if I boated in a very warm climate, I would own one, and wear it -- just posing some issues to resolve when you use one.
 
flapbreaker":26u8sqbd said:
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.
Click to expand...

Been there, done that. Works awsome !
I highly recommend that you do water test your jacket, for several reasons.
1st, you will be confident that they do the job you bought them for.
2nd, you will see how they fit and be able to adjust them properly. I was surprised that I need to wear mine looser than expected.
3rd, to get familiar with the operation. You MUST be able to relieve pressure manually and re-inflate manually... doing this in the water the first time in a controlled environment might well save your live or the life of a loved one.

I had the chance to do this last winter and plan to do it every year.
I love my inflatables and I wear them. I KNOW they work because I have tested them. I know how to maintain them and I DO.

Not all inflatables are alike. I am a big guy and shopped for a 38# bouncy model. I also opted for a short one as I duck hunt with it... mine is also camo until inflated.

I have the Sterns (Sternz) whatever. I check to make sure the cannisters are properly seated and that the auto-inflatables have good working pills. I know how to convert the auto inflates to manual inflate if need be.
The more I work with them the more I like them.

I will say that I have had one instance when it was inflated when I did not want it to. That was on a charter boat doing the Tuna Tango. It all worked out because I had the vest properly sized and it fit well. I was able to manually reduce the pressure in the bladder and land the fish.

I do keep 3 regular life jackets in my ditch bag. You just never know.

Be safe out there and use what you will USE.
 
Ahoy mates!

I have used the SOSpender manual inflatable vests with harness and tether for years aboard our sailboat. I bought the manual versions just after they were approved by the USCG in the 90's. I prefer the manual version for 2 reasons: They don't inflate when you don't want them to...like in a locker or when you take a "wet one" over the deck. And, (2)... you eliminate replacing the aspirin tablet....they suggest yearly, but who knows with high humidity? As far as the CO2 cylinder, those things are very well sealed. I have checked some after over 10 years onboard in saltwater conditions and they were still good to go. I still use the harness version with the C-Dory just in case I want to tie onto something, or maybe go sailing. The harness also helps if someone is trying to hoist you aboard. I notice that the Mustang models now come with a strobe and whistle....might make the difference.

As has been mentioned, some inflatables don't meet the USCG requirement unless worn. I keep 4 regular PFDs onboard for the occasional guests, so that should more than cover us legally......including when we are anchored-up lounging in the cabin or sleeping without the inflatables on.

The incident of August 27, 2005 involving the Pt. Sur and the 2 persons in the water with inflatable PFDs is interesting. I'm sure the USCG has investigated the circumstances and may be able to provide more details. The master of the Pt. Sur is a good friend of mine..I'll check with him and see what his perspective is and report back.

Have fun out there!

Roy, Fun Patrol
 
Well, that didn't take long.

In reference to the August 27, 2005 incident, Ron just gave me a call from the Pt. Sur underway 40 miles off Carmel. He was indeed the master during the above incident. According to Ron, the victims were actually operating right on the Columbia bar in spite of the fact that they had a low freeboard boat, more suitable for river or lake use. The Pt. Sur crew spotted the capsized vessel with just the bow above water and 2 persons in the water. They launched their small boat, picked the victims up and then hoisted them aboard the Pt. Sur. As in the previous report, one victim was responsive and one wasn't. An interesting observation was that both men were both fairly large, over 200#, maybe even over 250#, and the crew had to cut the PFDs off because the PFDs were very tight, possibly too small for those men.

So there's a little more of the story.

Be careful out there!

Roy, Fun Patrol
 
Been away for a looooooooong time.

Have never been comfortable with a pfd that has to be proven AFTER you have gone into the drink. I wore my SOSpenders for several years, and they were sure comfortable, especially in the New Mexico summer heat.

But for some reason, I never felt comfortable depending on a CO2 cartridge that I didn't know what it would do until I was flailing around and possibly going under.

I've gone back to PFDs that float ALL the time, not just when some moisture-activated valve chooses to work.

Just checkin in!

Ken
 
Hi folks,
If one becomes MOB wearing a PFD significantly reduces the risk of death due to drowning. It also helps reduce the mortal risk of hypothermia. The MOB faces risks beyond drowning and so although important, the PFD is not sufficient to reduce all the risks associated with the MOB state.The PFD can not notify anyone that you are in the water. The PFD cannot communicate your position in the water, and it cannot help you back aboard a vessel.
IMO the PFD discussion needs to be expanded to include handheld VHF, signal mirror, flare, strobe light and clothing appropriate for water temps. These items need to be attached to the PFD or routinely carried on the person.
A means of getting back aboard the vessel must be available. In the case of an incapacitated MOB, or underpowered crew member, a means of mechanical leverage to increase lifting capacity is advisable. How many of our wives or children could pull us back aboard?
If the goal is to reduce the risk of death in a MOB situation then a PFD is significant but only reduces the mortal risk from one threat. If we are to be Masters of our vessels then we must master all the risks of MOB.
Mike 'Levity'
 
let me tell you to look at the product you buy .
we bougt one for the wife, thoght it was the one that would automatic inflate.. as luck would have it i was wearing it while helping my budy jim on his cdory and i fell over with oncoming boat traffic!!!!!!!!!!!! but it did not infllate automatically.... found out it was a manual despite what the cover package said. guess it was miss packaged. so please check!!
 
Levity":1qws25vy said:
How many of our wives or children could pull us back aboard? '
Click to expand...

I'm not certain they'd want to.......I'm probably worth more dead than alive... :roll:

Seriously, I agree with what you say about having "all the bells and whistles" attached! Although, I don't have a radio or EPIRB on my highly visible non-inflatable PFD (which also has the propensity to keep me warmer in the cold water), I have the strobe light, mirror, whistle, and knife.
Being, in the Northwest I wear it all the time while on the boat, even on the two days of hot weather we receive. Wearing it has never had a "discomfort" factor for me, (perhaps because it never bothered me to wear my parachute, my scuba tanks, or my SCBA). Additionally, I can't tell you how many times, I've gotten off the boat and walked several hundred feet down the dock before I realized that I was still wearing it.
All the above being said, I realize that my "two bits" worth is actually somewhat "hijacking" this thread as the title of this thread is "Auto Inflatable PFD Choices", instead of "Inflatable versus Non-Inflatable".
So please forgive me for treading around the subject for a spell... :wink
 
Some of you might be intereested to know that the U.S. Coast Guard crews working in cold water wear a Mustang Work Suit with flotation, and have a net vest they wear on top of it with seven items in it, as I remember:

Sharp kiife without a pointed end (so you can't fall on it)
Hand held flare
Dye marker packet
Rocket flare
mirror
strobe light
whistle

I'd add a VHF radio for coastal use and an EPIRB offshore.

The Mustang Work Suit is quite comfortable in cold weather and gives you a lot of confidence that you wouldn't have without it.

21750_f.jpg


Joe.
 
Although we don't have survival or mustang suits, we do have the following items on our life vests: Submersiable VHF, 406, GPS enabled EPIRB (expensive--double since we each have them--but if you go over and are disabled, this is a life saver--the only disadvantage of the personal, is that they have to be deployed manually, and the transmitter/antella held above water.) Combination Strobe/flashlite (ARC),
whistle. We have the dye packet, flares, mirrors etc in the ditch bag.

As for getting aboard. Do not assume that you can do that alone. We have a Garhauer Marine SS lifting davit. http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=41

Ours is set up so it can be used on either side of the boat, it is 6;1 so that I know that Marie can lift my dead weight out of the water. It also is light and folds out of the way--recollect that it will handle about 300lbs. We don't purposefully yet have a lifesling for the Tom Cat255, but probably will get one.This allows the person at the helm to get a line and floatation collar to the victum. We also use the davit to lift outboards, full ice chests, the honda generator, and its 6 gallon fuel tank on and off the swim step (bad backs). This davit is a quality item and very easy to use.
 
Long thread so I hope I haven't missed anything.

1. I have owned two of the Mustang MD3184s for a year. I would not wear anything else. The cost is nothing compared to the fact you _will_ wear these. http://www.mustangsurvival.com/products/product.php?id=506. I looked at every other auto infaltable on the market, including those at Worst Marine (including SOS which WM bought). The Mustang units are, IMHO, simply the best product you can buy and exceed every functional expectation. (No I do not work for Mustang.) When I have more than 2 people on my boat, my guests wear these I have such faith in them.

2. As mentioned, these units have a hydrostatic activator. This means you do not have to worry about accidental inflation in the rain or if you are splashed. This is the state of the art actuator.

3. These particular vests ARE US coast guard approved for rec use as Type II life jackets. They NEED NOT be worn to qualify. (Click the second USCG approval link on the above page - not the first which pertains to uninspected commercial vessels.) Any Q's on this can be directed to Mustang. (Note I still keep extra regular jackets on board - you may need them if someone falls in the wtare and either you do not have a replacment actuator or you can't replace it.)

4. Anyone going to the Seattle Boat Show can purchase these units at a discount at the Fisheries Supply booth.[/b]
 
There was at least one case where the inflatable PFD was under a regular jacket and this caused some serious problems. We also have the SOS suspenders with safety harnesses left over from our sailing days. Our favorites are some semi custom class III vests made by North Sports when they were selling clothes back in the early 80's.

We rarely wear lifejackets inside of the C Dory.
 
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