Keeping your receipts

[Captain Dan]

I keep all my receipts on purchases from Bass Pro, do you?
Last Sunday I purchased a new inflatable PFD. I have not been wearing the old bulky one I've had for years, mainly because it is hard to get on and off, plus hot in the summer.
When I paid for my purchase I told the cashier that I am going to keep my receipt, just in case the PFD does not inflate and I drown, "I'm bringing it back for a refund". After thinking about what I just said for a few seconds she commented, " just don't do it when she is working because she did not want to deal with any zombies".
On a more serious note, have you ever had to use an automatic inflatable PFD? How did you like or dislike it and how fast does it inflate?
The one I bought can be set up for manual or automatic inflation, so which way would you recommend, from experience, would be best?

[mkeller]

I would leave automatic. If you hit your head and was unconcious you wouldnt be able to set off manually.

[Ozark88]

I have one, I've never set it off but as far as wearing it goes, I don't even know it's there.

[LBM]

When I bought mine I put it in boat compartment and didn't use it and sometime later when I was to fish on another boat I decided I would use it. When I took it out of the compartment I saw that it had inflated and of course it was now completely deflated.

I rearmed it and started using it routinely then on one hot summer day I took it off and threw it in the bottom of the boat in the hot sun. You ask how fast does it inflate - well I can tell you it sounds like a gun shot and inflates that fast. Unexpected like that it'll scare the crappie out of you.

I rearmed it again and now wear it all the time winter or summer and now only store it in the tow vehicle to and from the lake.

I believe those tablets in the arming kit have expiration dates and should be replaced at times.

[zummy]

I would leave automatic. If you hit your head and was unconcious you wouldnt be able to set off manually.

This. They are the only PFD I wear while fishing. I think they recommend replacing the tablets once a year.

[mapman76]

I would leave automatic. If you hit your head and was unconcious you wouldnt be able to set off manually.

Well I had one in my boat under the seat one tme and drove home in the rain and a week Later I was checking my boat and the seat had risen and what happen was the ran set off the automatic cylinder dumb dumb keep it dry.

[KAG]

When I bought mine I put it in boat compartment and didn't use it and sometime later when I was to fish on another boat I decided I would use it. When I took it out of the compartment I saw that it had inflated and of course it was now completely deflated.

Same thing happened to mine.......

[bigben1]

On average how much do they cost and will they fit a BIG MAN

[mapman76]

I have seen them at cabelas for 100.00 dollars but you will have to check with them for size