Life Jackets?

[Hanr3]

I'm not as young and invincible as I used to be. I hardly, if ever wear my live jacket. I know I should, but ya know how it goes...

Nothing wrong with the life-jackets in my boat. I'm sure they will work great, if I was wearing one. The problem with my lifejackets is comfort. They aren't comfortable to wear. My main concern is getting knocked unconscious while getting tossed from the boat. I don't have a problem swimming. I boat swim in the lake all summer, and have a pool when not on the lake.

My main concern with self-inflators is wearing one during early spring and late fall over/under my winter coat.

Can i wear a self-inflator under my winter coat?
What type of self inflator will open if I'm unconscious and unable to pull the cord?
What are the downsides to self-inflators?

[deltarat]

I read somewhere not to wear them under a coat because it will compress your chest and make it hard to breathe.

[Alphahawk]

I wouldn’t wear one under a coat. A type 1 is the only PFD that will in all likelihood turn you over if your face down and unconscious. No other type PFD will do that. But type 1 PFD is big and bulky. I wear a Mustang hydrostatic PFD. It will not go off if you get caught in the rain. It has to go under water for it to inflate…and trust me it will inflate. Cons…I don’t have any cons….except maybe price. If you don’t get an hydrostatic inflatable it is subject to go off in the rain…or if you leave it in a storage compartment on your boat on a hot humid day it is subject to inflate.

Regards


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[slabbandit]

I have the automatic one. I usually only wear it driving but I've heard of guys having medical issues and falling out. I think about this happening more now days so I might wear it all the time.

[Micanopy]

Great advice on the inflatable.

I wear mine the entire time I am in the boat. Dumb stuff happens at the ramp you know. POW….whack your head and over you go.

I envision trolling along on a some fine day, catching fish, and falling out of the boat. I could just hear what I would say to myself as I watched the trolling motor take the boat away. If I was neck deep, doggy paddling, well it might be pretty comfortable to wear then. Hmmmmmm……

[DockShootinJack]

Definitely wear an inflatable outside you jacket. They make float coats as well for winter boating. Supposed to increase cold water survival. I have looked into them but have not bought one yet

[BobC]

Don’t be a macho man. Buy one that works for you and wear it!! Stuff happens….
Bob

[Ketchn]

I second the don't wear it under any clothing and as far as comfort goes , some of them you never realize your wearing until you are back on dry land .
i think the ones we wear i like are "onyx" brand ?

[silverside]

My son has a cold weather suit with the inflatable built into the jacket. Can't remember the brand.

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[DWILL]

I know Bass Pro has the bibs with floatation. Not sure if it inflates or what kind of flotation it has.

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