Life Vest

[rcnight]

I was thinking about upgrading my personal floatation devices - maybe going with the auto/manual inflate vests. Would appreciate some opinions/suggestions. Thanks

[bigeasy1]

I bought a couple of the inflatable suspender type vests last year.They were the mid priced manual type made by Mustang,and I think they cost me about $169.00 each.

I went with the manual type because I was worried about the automatic ones inflating accidentally,although It's probably never happened.
There is a pull tab on the bottom on the right side that is labeled,"Jerk to Inflate".Needless to say,my buddies have a good time with that.
They are very comfortable to wear,even on a hot day,and I find that I now wear a life jacket a lot more than i used to.

I would recommend them,because I think it makes it far more likely that you will wear a life jacket when you should.I think most of us get to comfortable not wearing them,and think it can never happen to us,but that's not reality.

In the last two years,I had a few events that made me buy and wear the inflatable.
**A friend fell overboard,while fishing alone on his boat,**Another friend and his wife capsized their boat,and were adrift for two days before they were rescued,and,** I saw a 32' Baha Cruisers with six people on it, sink in less than five minutes.
These were all freak accidents that happened in a few seconds without warning.None of these people were wearing life jackets.
It was pure luck that they are still alive.

Remember though,the inflatable type vests have to be worn,to be considered a legal device.If they are in the cabin just sitting there,they are not listed as a life jacket.

[BigLew]

"Un-intended" inflation of the automatic type vests can and do happen, and rather regulary at that. The cause is how the auto trigger works. Most, if not all of the "auto" have a salt crytal type tablet preventing the cartridge piercing from occurring. It is designed to dissolve in the presence of water (most any other liquid), thus allowing the cartridge to be pierced and the vest to inflate. Add to that they significantly add to the cost of "recharging" the vest. The manual pull is probably the best choice except in the case of going overboard while unconscious and being alone to boot. Even if you are unconscious, some one else could pull the trigger. Make sure your boating buddies understand the safety equipment on your boat, if nothing else!! See below- it's part of the plan.