Self/auto inflating life jackets

[h20hunter]

As I get older.....heck I'm only 42.....less ego. I'm a swimmer, always have been . Pool workouts still average 3k yards....but that's a pool. Not the sound. Looking to up my personal responsibilty.

[Moonlite hunter]

Don't stuff one and to a soft-sided tackle box on your pontoon boat it will rip the seams out when it gets wet and goes off. That's one way to test it 🤯

[7mmfan]

I've had a couple moderately close calls while wading rivers, but its having a family and a lot more to lose now than 10 years ago that makes me wear it. I've also pulled multiple guys from the river in dire straights because they weren't wearing PFD's and 2 guys that weren't that lucky... that makes me wear them too.

[lokidog]

So, for those using manual inflators, what happens when you bonk your head on the way over the side?

I had one I used for a few years, then decided to try it out with the manual pull and low and behold, nothing happened....  Be sure to keep up on whatever servicing they need.

[Wetwoodshunter]

Who wears them full time on the boat? Brand or style pro/con? Specific reviews on brand?

H20 do you ever come out to Neah Bay? I have I think 6 different styles of them at my place. I am certified to teach cold water survival courses for commercial fishermen.

My favorite are the mustang work vests that are made of PVC. They are easy to clean and hold up to abuse. If you are unconscious these also will turn you face up in the water.

These count as a type 2 if you are wearing it on board your boat. If it's not worn it counts as a type 5. In short, you have to wear it or coast guard/wdfw may give you a ticket if it's the only jacket onboard.

https://www.mustangsurvival.com/en_US/products/activity/commercial-industrial/hit-inflatable-work-vest-auto-hydrostatic-62533135543.html

[h20hunter]

Not often but Mustang keeps coming to the top. A few friends locally also use them exclusively.

[MADMAX]

I bought the west marine on sale I think for like $79

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-marine--inshore-automatic-manual-inflatable-life-jacket--17991415?recordNum=1


very similar mechanism to the old flight deck vest I wore in the Navy

[boneaddict]

I've been contemplating something for float tubing.   Though I've cataloged many many hours without anything, float tubing with my wife this last summer has made me think I should get one for her and myself.  No idea where to start.

[JKEEN33]

I bought my dad and myself a couple of the Cabelas auto inflate ones a couple years ago. I usually don’t wear one, but when it gets nasty out at Neah Bay, it’s nice to be able to put one of these on and still be able to fish. Out of curiosity, I have set mine off to see how they work. Worked great and repacking is as simple as re-folding and putting back in the Velcro closed pocket. Instructions say to replace the co2 canister annually I believe. That’s where I was surprised at the cost. Vest was around 75.00 on sale I think, but the replacement cartridges were 35.00-40.00 if I remember correctly. They are a lot more comfortable to fish in than a regular vest, which I could never get myself to wear while fishing.

[Kc_Kracker]

I’m just gonna tag this. I’d like one for kayaking and such.

i would not suggest for kyaking because if they get very wet they inflate i left mine out to get rained on and POOF