Auto Inflatable Life Jackets?

[Cane Pole]

I have the manual suspenders and really like them. I have a fishing buddy that has the automatic and was jug fishing last summer below Wheeler. He got in a really hard thunderstorm that got about 4 or 5 inches of water in the boat before he noticed it, he had his PFD laying on the floor, and it went off. I guess the moral of the story is that as long as you use normal precautions the should be OK.

My understanding is that it (inflatables) has to be on physically before it counts as a life vest. Off = ticket. Safety violation. I could be wrong.

[BlackKnight755]

...Depends on the state Cane Pole. Some states, you have to wear it, some you only have to have it in the boat.

[jimdiana]

Here in Indiana, you are only required to have it in the boat. I'll usually wear mine though, just because I have such a small boat.

[catman]

never had problems with sospenders until it inflated in storage bin oneday and put so much pressure on lid i had to push down extremely hard to get it open.

[zappaf19]

Lets say it is late Nov. and I have on coveralls (sp) winter jacket etc. will they still make me float? With the weight of wet clothes ?
Bill

[CrappiePappy]

Lets say it is late Nov. and I have on coveralls (sp) winter jacket etc. will they still make me float? With the weight of wet clothes ?
Bill

it's my undertanding that "clothes" don't add extra weight when you're IN the water ... only when you're OUT of the water :p
Wet clothes WILL make your movements limited, when in the water. They will make boarding your boat harder, from the weight of the water in them. Wet clothes don't "pull/weigh you down" (while in the water) ... they just make it harder for you to tread water (more exhausting to move). The clothes themselves only weigh what they weigh "dry", and the water they absorb doesn't add weight until you're out of the water ... so I would think that a PFD suitable for your body size/weight, would float you regardless of your clothes. IMHO only, of course And, if there's anyone that has expert knowledge in this matter, and my theory is incorrect ... please, do correct me. I certainly don't want to be giving out incorrect info !!

... cp

[Fishawk]

I wore mine for most of this last season and found it to be much more easy to wear than the standard type. I think it was last Nov. or Dec. while I was out fishin the darn thing inflated while I had it on! It scared the be-jesus out of me! I haven't re-armed it because I no longer trust it. It came from Cabela's. If I were to buy another it wouldn't be the auto type. But maybe the manual type would do the same thing.??

[bigfish5]

I Have Had A Pull Cord One For Years, Never Had A Problem With It. I Hope It Works If I Ever Have To Use It. Ooh Yea And I Dont Know About Other Staes But In Alabama The Inflatable Types Are Only Good If You Are Wearing Them. You Can Get A Ticket If They Are Laying In The Boat And You Are Checked . So I Keep An Extra In The Rod Box To Make Sure My Boat Is Legal. I Do Wear Mine Most Of The Time But Every Now And Then When It Is Really Hot I Take It Off. Dont Want Sospender Stripe When I Take My Shirt Off In The Heat.lol

[CrappiePappy]

CAN & DO inflate on their own. BUT, it's usually because the arming device has been subjected to water/water vapor, and the disintegrating tablet has been subjected to enough moisture to melt it down ... triggering the release pin, & opening up the cartridge (which fills up the bladder of the floatation device). Melt-down can occur immediately (if water gets into the triggering device), or over a period of time.
Auto-inflate PFD's intention, is to float you in a upright/head back position, while unconscious or unable to respond to the situation. The pull cord is a redundant backup system (but, is useless to an unconscious wearer .. and may be unusable to an injured/impaired wearer).

... cp

[L.A. stumpjumper]

In Arkansas the inflatables have to be worn to be legal. I usually wear mine all the time, but I have a regular life vest in the boat in case I want to take it off on a hot day.