Life Jackets

[mcipinkie]

I can only speak for me and my experience.  I have gone in twice wearing an inflatable.  Once in my old Mustang, once in the BPS AM24.  Both worked perfectly.  The water was 43 degrees when I fell in with the BPS.  I'm sure in contributed in my being alive now.  I took it back to BPS (we have one near me).  No questions asked, "Just go get another one."

 

Both got wet in the back of my truck and went off there.

 

My point is "Whatever you chose, wear it.  Wear it all the time."  None are any good in the rod locker.

 

I'm 77, and have fallen out of the boat many times.  Always with the TM down, never with the big motor running.  The potential for disaster is greater at speed, but far more likely to fall out of the boat when the TM is down.

[slowworm]

21 minutes ago, mcipinkie said:

My point is "Whatever you chose, wear it.  Wear it all the time."  None are any good in the rod locker.

THIS!

 

I'm about 20 years behind you.  I've d**n near gone over the side a few times in the chop or just plain losing my footing.  I'm at that age when things can "Just Happen (tm)".

 

I fish alone 90% of the time.  The coast guard have the motto "You have to go out, you don't have to come back."  Thanks to @A-Jay for his service.

 

Well, that's not me.  I have a family.  Sure, I have life insurance, but I need to go home.  And, God forbid, I have a heart attack or something and go into the drink, I don't want my recovery to risk anyone else's life.

 

That may be morbid, but that's how I think.

[flyfisher]

22 hours ago, TnRiver46 said:

I saw Scott Martin jump into lake st Clair after his cell phone wearing that and it didn’t inflate. Seems to me

that foam works better and costs less 

He probably had a manual version which makes no sense to me at all to even manufacture let alone buy.

 

I'll disagree on the cost aspect and working better, is more opinion than fact.

[Bankbeater]

I have one of the foam life vests.  In cold weather it can double as a wind breaker.

[Bluebasser86]

I wear a NRS chinook in my kayak. I opted for a little more bulk in favor of the certainty that I'd float if I ever went in. I had an auto Mustang, but it went off twice in the rain. I have a manual now that I wear in the boat but I'm not sure the last time I wore it.

[Crow Horse]

I'm using an NRS Chinook. I love it with all the pockets. Most importantly, it's comfortable, so much so that I don't feel "right" not having it on. I fish from a small yak, so comfort is really important to me. That said, it's worn all the time. I've had mine for 9 years and it stood the test of time very well.

[Weekend_Angler]

+1 for NRS Chinook. As other have said, nothing to fail with regards to deployment as long as the vest is worn properly. I don't find it bulky. The pockets are nice. One holds phone with tether, another holds small tools like pliers and braid cutter, others hold some snacks. 

[Motoboss]

Like the NRS jackets I wear the Stohlquist specifically the Fisherman

 

I find it’s like wearing a down vest, but not as hot! I prefer it to other styles as it fits well, easy to put on,  non constricting and comfortable, so I wear it. The vest type PFD doesn’t require any maintenance and is always ready to go when you are. Also it doesn’t take long to get familiar with it and the pockets are very useful.

 

Whatever you get make sure it’s one you’ll wear, every time, everyday you’re on the water. They may be a bit more expensive but the value is worth the investment.

[DogBone_384]

On 3/1/2024 at 8:31 PM, Bluebasser86 said:

I wear a NRS chinook in my kayak.

Ditto.  I like the high back and the pockets.  I'm 57 and wear it all the time.  I've gone into cold water after a combo.  It did its job nicely.

[Jmilburn76]

I fish from a kayak and wear mine 100% of the time every time. It’s a NRS Chinook and I don’t really even think about having it on and would feel lost without it. I keep my keys, wallet, whistle, stats, phone, divers knife and line cutters neatly tethered or tucked away. 

[thediscochef]

We had an accident on Roberts this week, a guy hit a floating log that was just barely submerged. He was doing a little over 70mph. Killed his lower unit and spun the boat. He was ejected at speed and managed to live and was at church on Sunday. His PFD did not inflate. Life jackets are important and sometimes so is luck.

[MN Fisher]

32 minutes ago, thediscochef said:

Life jackets are important and sometimes so is luck.

I'd rather rely on the former rather than the latter...one is controllable, the other is a roll of the die.

[ATA]

 

 

This Mustangs are awesome, I have them around 4 years now, Never got to tiger them, But I can say they are very light and like you wear nothing. And I think every 5 years you need to replace the Cylinder which I have 1000 of them because I sell airplanes life vest in my online shop :).

they will be active by water pressure of 4 to 6" under water. I was under rain for long time and it never had a single issue.

[Tennessee Boy]

I didn’t start wearing an inflatable until I decided that my age requires me to wear one 100% of the time I’m on the water.     Inflatables must be properly maintained.  I wear a Mustang because I feel like they are the best.  There is the added risk that it will not inflate.  It’s a compromise for comfort when it’s hot.  I wear a traditional life jacket in the winter.  If I was running 70 mph I would wear one designed for high speed water impact and I would wear a helmet. 

[@reelChris]

I use straight inflatables unless the weather is bad, then foam to prevent accidental inflation.  I've been curious about switching to Mustang's foam/inflatable hybrid vest the Khimera:

 

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/khimera-dual-flotation-pfd-md7183

 

which looks like the best of both worlds.

[gimruis]

2 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

If I was running 70 mph I would wear one designed for high speed water impact and I would wear a helmet.

@Mike L has a story about a guy who put on a goalie mask before he fired it up one time. LOL

[Capt Ed]

2 hours ago, ATA said:

 

 

This Mustangs are awesome, I have them around 4 years now, Never got to tiger them, But I can say they are very light and like you wear nothing. And I think every 5 years you need to replace the Cylinder which I have 1000 of them because I sell airplanes life vest in my online shop :).

they will be active by water pressure of 4 to 6" under water. I was under rain for long time and it never had a single issue.

You replace the whole mechanism, hydrostatic inflator and co2 cartridge.  It's fairly easy and the new re-arm kit will have the next replacement date on the inflator.  Check to make sure you aren't buying one already a year old.

[thediscochef]

I have my own foam that I bring on vessels, mostly while the big engine is running or if we're fishing deep (near traffic). As my balance changes over time, so will my habits. For now the PFD exists to give me a fighting chance at survival while unconscious and in the water after impact. I have had my second thoughts about inflatable pfds before. I'm feeling OK about my decision to get a nicer foam jacket. But sometimes even that isn't enough. At some point, eventually it is out of our hands. You can do everything right and still be claimed by an accident

[Bankc]

18 hours ago, Tennessee Boy said:

...If I was running 70 mph I would wear one designed for high speed water impact and I would wear a helmet. 

If I was running 70 mph, I'd do it buck naked, standing up, with my hair literally on fire.  I fish from a kayak, so if you see me doing 70 in that thing, I have clearly lost my mind and you just need to stay off the water until the authorities arrive.  

[txchaser]

23 hours ago, thediscochef said:

I have my own foam that I bring on vessels, mostly while the big engine is running or if we're fishing deep (near traffic). As my balance changes over time, so will my habits. For now the PFD exists to give me a fighting chance at survival while unconscious and in the water after impact. I have had my second thoughts about inflatable pfds before. I'm feeling OK about my decision to get a nicer foam jacket. But sometimes even that isn't enough. At some point, eventually it is out of our hands. You can do everything right and still be claimed by an accident

I sure would love some details on his inflatable. In particular, was it an auto- and which brand? 

[Capt Ed]

Best practice's for whatever pfd you own, is to put it on before you launch your boat and  take if off when the boat is out of the water

 

A good foam life vest is no doubt the safest pfd you can buy IF you wear it all the time.  Unfortunately, most foam vests are not that comfortable to wear all the time and off they come.  

 

I fished for years with a Bass Pro fishing vest pfd.  I never wore it while fishing and I was also guilty of removing the jacket when I shut off the big motor and when I jumped back in the drivers seat I often didn't put it back on.  

 

I then switched to a inflatable jacket that used the dissolvable bobbin to inflate the jacket.  I had several of these jackets inflate in my boat compartments and found one that showed green, but the bobbin would not dissolve

 

I believe inflatables fail to inflate due to the negligence of the owner's.  Inflatables with dissolvable bobbin's require the owner to be diligent in regularly checking the condition of the inflation system, keeping and storing them dry, and not wearing them in even light showers or heavy fog.  If you don't do these things, for your safety sake, do not buy this type pfd.  

 

I finally switched to one that uses a hydrostatic inflator.  These use an inflator that has to be submerged in water deeper than 4".  They will not inflate simply due to humidity, damp storage, or rain.

 

In my humble opinion, the only inflatable pfd to buy is a Mustang H.I.T with a hydrostatic inflator.  Nothing else comes close.  They are comfortable to wear and don't interfere with fishing or other activities on your boat.  You will have to replace the inflator mechanism every five years but it's relatively easy to do and the cost is under $100.  Other than that there's not much maintenance required.

 

 

 

 

[Skunkmaster-k]

I don’t wear a life jacket very often . But when I do, it’s an inflatable. Used to wear the Coast Guard orange jacket that floats me face up really well but it’s too dang hot. Still have it on board in case of a narly storm. 

[slowworm]

13 minutes ago, Capt Ed said:

Best practice's for whatever pfd you own, is to put it on before you launch your boat and  take if off when the boat is out of the water

Do not wear your PDF in your vehicle when backing down the ramp. 

 

If you need to exit the vehicle after attempting to test the amphibious capabilities of your tow vehicle, a PFD is going to seriously hamper your ability to exit via the nearest window.  Especially of you are on the chunky side, like me.  

 

When maneuvering to launch or retrieve, it's PFD off, windows down and seatbelt off.  If I need to bail out I don't have to do anything first. 

 

[Choporoz]

52 minutes ago, Capt Ed said:

Best practice's for whatever pfd you own, is to put it on before you launch your boat and  take if off when the boat is out of the water

 

A good foam life vest is no doubt the safest pfd you can buy IF you wear it all the time.  Unfortunately, most foam vests are not that comfortable to wear all the time and off they come.  

 

I fished for years with a Bass Pro fishing vest pfd.  I never wore it while fishing and I was also guilty of removing the jacket when I shut off the big motor and when I jumped back in the drivers seat I often didn't put it back on.  

 

I then switched to a inflatable jacket that used the dissolvable bobbin to inflate the jacket.  I had several of these jackets inflate in my boat compartments and found one that showed green, but the bobbin would not dissolve

 

I believe inflatables fail to inflate due to the negligence of the owner's.  Inflatables with dissolvable bobbin's require the owner to be diligent in regularly checking the condition of the inflation system, keeping and storing them dry, and not wearing them in even light showers or heavy fog.  If you don't do these things, for your safety sake, do not buy this type pfd.  

 

I finally switched to one that uses a hydrostatic inflator.  These use an inflator that has to be submerged in water deeper than 4".  They will not inflate simply due to humidity, damp storage, or rain.

 

In my humble opinion, the only inflatable pfd to buy is a Mustang H.I.T with a hydrostatic inflator.  Nothing else comes close.  They are comfortable to wear and don't interfere with fishing or other activities on your boat.  You will have to replace the inflator mechanism every five years but it's relatively easy to do and the cost is under $100.  Other than that there's not much maintenance required.

+1!  100%  

[JayMac89]

So I got into kayak fishing last September. Fell in love and quickly upgraded my yak and yada yada yada. 

 

I never wore a PFD. I fish small lakes with no gas motors allowed. Im a lifelong surfer, surfing year round in NY (that means surfing during blizzards, nor'easters, water in the upper 30s). Iv dealt with 10-15 ft swells. Im not saying i don't have to wear a PFD. Just painting the picture of why i didn't and felt comfortable without one. 

 

Fast forward, i made the decision to wear one. And got a NRS chinook. Only wore it two or three times. I really don't notice it. The foam feels bulky, but it hasn't gotten in my way yet. I thought I'd hate it and it would take getting used to. Not the case. I actually enjoy it. I like the pockets. Very comfortable. It's my understanding that they were made with kayak fishing in mind (could be wrong). But i think it'd work well on a boat as well.