Automatic Inflatable PFD's

V

Valkyrie

New member
Hi Brats,

Marcia and I religiously wear our manually inflatable PFD's, but have decided to upgrade to automatic units for their added safety, partly due to Dr. Bob's insights on the death of Natalie Wood.

I'm looking for advice on what models my fellow C-Brats have used and recommend. Considering their purpose, price is not really a variable.

As always, thanks for your collective help.

Regard,.

Nick and Marcia
"Valkyrie"
 
On the PFD subject..........does anyone know of a large self inflating PFD that fits grown up men. I am not a small guy and my Cabelleas self inflating PFD has 35 lb. flotation but the device itself is too small to fit properly.
Thanks for any help.

Jack
 
Nick,

I have 2 of the Mustang Off Shore (type V) auto inflatable with the sailing harness included. (9fits 30 - 52 inch chest). Both due for new inflation cartridges this coming year. I have made it a practise to wear them any time on the dock or boat. Comfortable and serviceable. I have added a strobe light (manual switch only) on the back.

In our water here in the PNW, reality says this is only so that the body can be found, because the water temp is probably going to preclude rescue unless there are folks within earshot. I have thought about a Mustang suit, but have not gone there yet. May happen, but for now just being VERY careful.

My feeling is that if you are wearing a suspender PFD, the only way to go is Auto inflatable. The cold water shock will very likely decrease the ability to effectively deploy the manual inflation tabs on that system.

Boat responsibly, carefully, and safely,

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

IMG_2044_sized_1.jpg
 
Nick:

Several thoughts that might be helpful in your selection decision.

First, and I know I'll get argument on this, there's such a thing as too much flotation. The prime consideration is the ability to roll you onto your back, with your face out of the water, and to keep you there. I've gone into the water with a high capacity jacket, and all that flotation was well and good until I tried to reboard the vessel, at which point I had to mess around relearning how to bleed air out. That took more time than I'd care to admit, and until I figured it out, there was no way I was going to get up that boarding ladder. We now use the West Marine Coastal series, which has a bit less flotation than our previous models. If you want more flotation, go with the Offshore series, or another brand equivalent.

But, before going for the built in harness, or anything above a Coastal in flotation, take the bride with you to the boating store, put the life jacket on, and walk around for about an hour. Then, imagine wearing it for another 8 or 9 hours. If a life jacket is too heavy, it will not be worn, which means that an unexpected slip or cardio event may well become your last. I have hefted the Offshore series with built in harness, and immediately concluded it was too darn heavy for us.

Finally, whatever you are leaning toward, make sure that reloads are commonly available (meaning in stock nationwide, without having to pull from a warehouse). Although the last I checked the FAA allows an inflatable on board an airliner, the actual decision is up to the airline. So, if you fly to the boat, and have the life jacket at home, you might have to pick up a recharge at your destination.

Let us know what you decide.
 
Nick,
We use the Mustang brand auto inflatable. Mustang seems to be a reputiable brand that has beeen around for awhile. We tried the coastal W.M. seemed small to us. I could be wrong but some people don't float as well as others. We got ones with a built in harness in case they want to tow me instead of getting me in the boat. :D
D.D.
 
I have 3 of the West Marine Offshore series and the guys on my boat haven't had an issue with wearing them all day. However, they are a bit heavy and my wife doesn't like them. For her I have a couple of other options - a lighter mustang manual self-inflating PFD and another auto inflating one (can't recall which brand) that has a soft collar that can be rolled down to provide extra padding in this area. She prefers the mustang one so hopefully she'll be able to pull it if she goes in the drink as she won't wear the others. So definitely do as suggested above, go to a good store and try several on for an hour or so.
 
When you are standing in line at Wendys and cant figure out why people are giving you a wierd look....check to see if you have your vest on still and know that you picked the right one for all day comfort......It has happened twice to me..
 
You are a real boater Tom. I love Frosty's too.

We use a couple of Cabelas Guardian 2500-3500 series Auto units and they are comfy with a softened collar area, status inspection window, and are light weight. We also have recharge kits for them on board and I figured the company is large enough that I should be able to service them for a while. No complaints after a couple of years and we do wear them all day and every day we are aboard.

Greg
 
starcrafttom":2waawxc1 said:
When you are standing in line at Wendys and cant figure out why people are giving you a wierd look....check to see if you have your vest on still and know that you picked the right one for all day comfort......It has happened twice to me..
Click to expand...

BTDT! :lol: But Tom is exactly right. At least compared to any other PFD I've used, my Mustang is the best, hands down, for comfort.

As others have noted, check out the fit - and particularly the collar. Imagine wearing it in warm weather with just a t-shirt on. Our first generation Mustangs were a little uncomfortable on our necks after a while. The current model has a nice soft lining.

Be aware that these inflatables are not maintenance-free. Depending on the make and model, the period may vary, but they all require replacement of triggering devices and cartridges from time to time. Keep track. No point in wearing one if it ain't gonna work! Our new Mustangs have a 5 year replacement cycle.

We never get on the boat without putting ours on, and have worn them many times for 12 or more hours straight.

As much as I like mine, they may not be the best choice for all activities. A brother-in-law tested his, inadvertently, by snagging the manual pull handle on an incoming gillnet. Boy Howdy, the do blow up quick like!
 
Which type of activation Just get it damp or the type that needs to be under 4 inches of water to activate. The just get it damp I have seen go off when the wearer caught a wet line. The instant off are affordable with responsible priced recharge cylinders. The 4 inches of water type are expensive and so are the recharge. Are the 4 inches that much better?

Guy
 
I purchased the Mustang auto-hydrostatic self inflating model MD3183 this past year.

I now wear it at all times when I am near the water. I am much more likely to do something stupid and fall into the water (or hit my head on the way) than I am to capsize Napoleon so I don't mind the auto-inflatable. The auto-hydrostatic model works based on pressure, not moisture tablets that can inflate in heavy rain or humidity.

Good luck with your search.
 
We have the SOS Sospenders in auto inflate. I think you can make points either way about the amount of floatation. I like a lot if the seas are rough to keep the head out of the water. I grant that it may be harder to get back aboard--but many times--hopefully there will be people to help. For a guy my size 22 lbs of floatation is just not a lot.

Another thing to think about is alert and locate, if you go overboard--and a auto cut off for the boat's engine.

We have units with the dual tethers left over from sailing days. You can easily take the tethers off, but there are times when they are nice to have.
 
This is an interesting subject that I learned more about in 1 hour training than I had learned in all the years before that I had been actively wearing this new fangled thing.
Fit is very important as an uncomfortable inflatable will find itself stored below the seat cushion more often than being worn. Great advise from all those that responded...test them at the store and make sure that you can put it on without getting tangled up and make sure that it is comfortable.
Just recently a Coastie died because his inflatable PFD did not work. The reason was that the CO2 cartridge was not installed/functional. With my job, we are required to actually put on an inflatable PFD and jump in the water before we can use them instead of a conventional PFD. First and foremost, we must learn to install the cartridge and also learn to conduct a periodic inspection of the bladder by manually inflating and stowing it.
One of the most shocking things that I learned during training is that it does not inflate as you hit the water, it inflates after you go down a bit (further than you might think). The noises that the inflation device makes, sounds like a gun going off. Lastly the vest did not inflate evenly when inflating, so I did not rise to the surface and float evenly initially.
The bottom line is that if you can jump in a swimming pool and test you’re PFD and learn to properly test and stow it, you will be doing yourself a huge favor.
 
I'm not sure if this has been covered but if a C-Dory capsizes is it self-righting ?

If it's not and you're in the cabin, or the vee-berth, you'll need to swim down and away to escape.

Would this suggest that a manual inflating PFD is desirable ?

From Coast Guard Auxiliary. http://sites.google.com/site/uscgauxops ... d-survival

"Most boats are not surfboats and will not recover from a rollover.
All exits are upside down after capsizing.
Egress Routes:
Hatches large enough to get through
Cabin windows
Cabin doors

There usually will be some air pockets in the uppermost (upside down) sections of the boat.
Remove PFDs to exit the boat.
Tie a line to PFDs to pull them out after exiting.
Best swimmer exits first, carrying a line for the others to follow."

Here is a passage from a Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation...

http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-repor ... 8m0062.asp

Emergency Egress

At the time of the occurrence, three of the crew members were on the stern, four were in the pilot house, and one stood in the open port door. When the vessel capsized, the three crew members on the stern swam clear of the vessel. Shortly thereafter, the crew member who had been standing in the doorway surfaced. Those inside the pilot house quickly became disoriented as the buoyancy in their PFDs pinned them to the deck overhead. Attempts to open the closed starboard door were not successful, and one person discarded his PFD in order to escape. The remaining three eventually surfaced after exiting through the port door.

And this from the sinking of the Taki-Tooo off Tillamook Bar

http://community.seattletimes.nwsource. ... ug=boat21m

Investigators say one of the victims of the Taki-Tooo fishing boat disaster off the Oregon coast was wearing a life jacket but apparently died after being trapped in the boat's overturned cabin.

Here is a related discussion at Sailnet
Inflatable PFDs -- Manual or Automatic?

It seems that a person must weigh whether he's more likely to be struck in the head insensibly or stuck inside a capsized cabin.

Auto or manual each jacket should have a whistle and a strobe.
 
The possibility of a self-inflator making it difficult to get out in case of a rollover is an interesting possibility. When mine accidentally inflated I didn't re-arm it with the autoinflate feature for that reason. I will take my chances with being able to pull the lanyard.
 
The Hydrostatic type inflatable PFDs are designed for open ocean activity where you are exposed to waves and water like Bering Sea Crab fishermen or sailboats; that’s just not C-dory cruising in my opinion; the extra money can be used for bait or gas or beer or ???

BTW, Cabalas has their Tenement style 3500 manual/auto inflatable PFDs on sale, $50 off. Just picked up two along with a couple of re-charge kits. Our 4 year old WM inflatable PFDs are cumbersome to put on sometime, the stapes get all messed up. The Cabala 3500s have a solid mesh back that’s really easy to slip on.
 
Personally, I think that if I'm in a situation where I roll my C-Dory over, I've got bigger problems than whether or not I'm wearing a self inflating PFD. IMHO, the most common cause of problems will come from a slip and falling out, especially if one is going forward on the side of the boat (even while in calm water and at the dock). The likelihood of hitting one's head and being knocked unconscious while falling from the dock/boat seems to be to be far more probable than the likelihood of rolling my CD and being trapped in the cabin.
 
On big trips or big water I always, always wear a full coastguard float suit. Its not auto inflate. A life preserver around here will save your life, a suit will keep you alive.

Its big, Orange, and comfortable to wear even in the rain its warm.

In the crowded waters of Puget sound on a sunny day I often don't wear a thing I just keep the float coats handy
Chris
 
On big trips or big water I always, always wear a full coastguard float suit. Its not auto inflate. A life preserver around here will save your life, a suit will keep you alive.

Its big, Orange, and comfortable to wear even in the rain its warm.

In the crowded waters of Puget sound on a sunny day I often don't wear a thing I just keep the float coats handy
Chris
 
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