PFD's

[Grumpy]

CRANKINandYANKIN: No need to apologize, you are right, that is what the Officers were saying early last year (and writing citations for) because they MISTAKENLY thought that ALL Infatables were required to be worn. Several of us had a discussion and when they checked with the Coast Guard, which issues the regulations, they found that the Types II and III did not have to be worn to be legal. Again, everyone needs to check their own PFD to see if there is a restriction on it.
Grumpy

[DJD]

I have also been looking at the inflatable ones and I think that the Mustang with HIT is the one.

What is HIT?

[stratos185]

I fish with my youngest son and we use the Stearns sport model. Bought a pair a few years ago through BPS when they was on sale. I have the automatic model and by being careful and some luck have not had to use them. We wear them from the time we get into the boat until it is on the trailer. Recharge unit is only $14 from BPS and a good tip is to keep them away from humid areas in the boat when not in use or they will activate. The small bobbin that is used to trigger the CO2 cartridge will dissolve when exposed to humid air in a storage compartment. I keep mine in a compartment in my boat but also keep a humidity control container in the compartment that eliminates humidity. The model I have also has a extra CO2 cartridge with the mechanism to convert the life jacket to a manuel model. Also most important is that wearing this type of life jacket does not interfere with your fishing as I wear mine all day long and it never bothers me.

[21ssExtreme]

As I understand it, HIT will not inflate until their is pressure against it, like falling in.

[LarryG]

Fishing in cold weather, in rain or snow, and you're wondering about comfort?Something just dosn't sound right here.My old fasioned pfd has four nice pockets, holds my cell phone in case I can get a signal, a pack of smokes,lighters, and a compass, can your inflatible do that, of coure it weighs all of about 4 pounds fully loaded, but my 270lb butt can manage that burden.

[mkmsports41]

I have a mustang auto inflatable. It can be used manual or automatic. Like said previous it must be worn all the time or it does not count as a life vest. I was stopped this year. It was on. However the Game Warden told me if I do not wear it all the time I must have another PFD in the boat. I really like the auto inflattable. However, dont wear it in the rain. Do not keep it in your rod locker in the summer either. The humidity in the the rod locker will cause it to go off. Been there done that. I did find a place out of florida that sells the items to recharge. $10 got me everything to re-charge it twice! Sure beats the $30 for one charge elsewhere.

[Grumpy]

mkmaports41, I am cuirious to know what your PFD says on the inside label. Does it say: "Type V PFD ap-proved ONLY WHEN WORN" or something like that. The reason I ask is because I have a ciopy of an email letter from the Coast Guard that states, in part:

"If you have USCG approved inflatable PFD Type II, or Type III or a Type V PFD that does not have a wear restriction, then you may continue to use this PFD in this manner and the PFD (if properly armed and in good serviceable condition) will count for carriage requirement even when you are not wearing it. However, if your inflatable is a Type V PFD approved ONLY WHEN WORN, then if you take it off when you are fishing, you better have another USCG approved PFD that is not required to be worn onboard or you will be at risk of a citation."

If there isn't any wear restriction, I am wondering if the Officers are going back to their old ways.

Grumpy

[bigboyjon]

I read where the then inflatables provide more floation then most standard vest. Can a extra fat size fit in them? Never seen a modle for big/tall. That is what I would be using during the sumer if I know it would fit.

[snavel]

I've been thinking of one as well. My dad and fishing partner both wear one but they say the collar rubs their neck. Both lifejackets are different brands?? Cost kind of stresses me out as well .

[rickhise]

Im sending cabelas 20$ to replace my charging system since it auto inflated in the boat last week while docked, and we had 3 days of rain, this unit itself did not get wet but with enough moisture in the air it fired ...........in the dry storage area.

no it wasnt in a waterproof bag stored, but what would u do if it began to rain while out.........IM sure they will get it perfect-ed (sp) I had the cheap 90$ one so maybe u get what u pay for

[rickhise]

if you know for a fact: the cabella's 80-90$ model i have with the pill that fired in a dry but humid storage area in the boat, does this mean I need to
be prepaired to have it occur again if IM out in a rain storm........

perhaps my device is the wrong one for our area, maybe needs to be worn in in airizona, I do like the comfort of it the relieability of it going off if one goes in.... might need to look at what was talked about earlier the HIT

[mkmsports41]

i will check to see what it says in the vest. you can go here http://www.lifesavingsystems.com/ to buy the items to recharge. Alot cheaper