Auto-Inflate PFD

[GeoFisher]

[FONT=Times New Roman][COLOR=#000000][/COLOR][/FONT][COLOR=#000000][FONT=Calibri]I got a auto-inflate life jacket for my birthday. This way my wife feels better when I’m outfishing by myself. I never used one andwas wondering. How much water does ittake to make it inflate. If you have oneon and it’s raining will it go off and if it’s very foggy will that set itoff. Thanks. [/FONT][/COLOR]
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Not much water.............NOT MUCH AT ALL.

In fact, if you store it in a hatch that is prone to moisture, it will probably autoinflate. I changed the auto to manual. Yea, I'm taking a risk, but less than not wearing the life jacket because it inflated by itself.

I find myself wearing it nearly all the time now, which is GREAT.

On another note, once the life jacket gets a little old, I'd check it a few times a year to make SURE it works.

Basically, remove the firing mech, and manually blow up the life jacket, and leave it over night. If it leaks any air over night, I GUARANTEE that it will leak it 10 or 20 times faster with your weight on it.

Check the stitching of the external cover for dry rot, etc, etc. If you see anything suspicion, REPLACE the vest.....simple.

I know this is a little overly cautious, but in the winter when you're FIGHTING for your life in the water you would sure wish you had spent that 5-10 minutes inspecting the item.

Later,

Geo

[spanky116]

Thanks. I won't be storing it in the boat now.