INFLATABLE PFD's....seeking experienced input

[BruceC2C]

I have a season pass for Kayak rental.
Considering to purchase an Inflatable PFD.
. .which I have no previous experience.

Early research looks pretty simple.
$100 for well reviewed Auto/ Manual
at BassProShop.

Any nuanced details that r smart for me to consider.?

ThankYou

 

[wbranch]

I have a season pass for Kayak rental.
Considering to purchase an Inflatable PFD.
. .which I have no previous experience.

Early research looks pretty simple.
$100 for well reviewed Auto/ Manual
at BassProShop.

Any nuanced details that r smart for me to consider.?

ThankYou

I bought one that is self inflating if it gets wet. I thought that would be perfect until one day I was sitting in my pontoon boat and I accidentally got it wet. It inflates with a loud bang! And it scared the heck out of me. Now I prefer the vest type. A little bulky but very easy to get used to it.

 

[CLSports]

I have a season pass for Kayak rental.
Considering to purchase an Inflatable PFD.
. .which I have no previous experience.

Early research looks pretty simple.
$100 for well reviewed Auto/ Manual
at BassProShop.

Any nuanced details that r smart for me to consider.?

ThankYou

I have an inflatable one too from Cabelas. I never had issues with it. I am just not a fan of how they fit around my neck. A few times when wearing it on long float trips, it would feel too heavy/restricting around my neck and give me neck pain/headaches. I bought an NRS vest style and love that even though it can be a bit bulky and has extra pockets and buckles to get your fly line tangled up in! Fun stuff.

 

[Bamboozle]

I have a Mustang HIT MD3183 which is automatic at least twice the cost of what you are describing. This particular PFD is near the top of their line so it's over $200 but so are most fly rods, reels and other gear that WON'T save your life...

However, it is the wisest and most important investment I've made for fishing and I would spend double its cost if I needed another.

Most importantly, in my experience which includes sitting in an aluminum Jon boat a couple of weeks ago all day in 100 degree heat, I don't even realize I'm wearing a PFD. For that reason I always wear it and never take it off until I'm off the water.

It also has features that at least in my experience prevent unwanted inflation plus you can manually activate it at any time. Until my drowning proves otherwise, I highly recommend it at any price...

 

[bigjohn358]

I have an inflatable...HATE IT! I use an NRS Chinook instead.

 

[wildtrout2]

I have a Mustang HIT MD3183 which is automatic at least twice the cost of what you are describing. This particular PFD is near the top of their line so it's over $200 but so are most fly rods, reels and other gear that WON'T save your life...

However, it is the wisest and most important investment I've made for fishing and I would spend double its cost if I needed another.

Most importantly, in my experience which includes sitting in an aluminum Jon boat a couple of weeks ago all day in 100 degree heat, I don't even realize I'm wearing a PFD. For that reason I always wear it and never take it off until I'm off the water.

It also has features that at least in my experience prevent unwanted inflation plus you can manually activate it at any time. Until my drowning proves otherwise, I highly recommend it at any price...

That looks like the real deal. You only get what you pay for. No price tag on your life.

 

[5footfenwick]

Something to keep in mind. I’m pretty sure the rules change when you switch to inflatable pfd’s.

I believe you cannot legally remove it while on the water.
You must wear it at all times while aboard your vessel. If you take it off, it no longer counts as a life jacket. If you get checked, and aren’t wearing it fully buckled up, you will get fined for having no life jackets onboard. It only counts as a life jacket if you are wearing it. I keep a full set of regular and a full set of inflatable pfd’s onboard. That way I can wear or not wear one depending on the heat. Just keep this in mind. Since removing the inflatable pfd just to change shirts/ add or remove layers. Adding a rain coat under it etc. would make you temporarily illegal and possibly subject to a fine.
It’s possible I’m completely wrong. But this is what I was always taught.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

FWIW, I have both. I use the self inflating when out alone-when self inflating is really needed. When I float with someone I use the standard so I can take it off.

 

[Bamboozle]

Something to keep in mind. I’m pretty sure the rules change when you switch to inflatable pfd’s.

I believe you cannot legally remove it while on the water.
You must wear it at all times while aboard your vessel. If you take it off, it no longer counts as a life jacket. If you get checked, and aren’t wearing it fully buckled up, you will get fined for having no life jackets onboard. It only counts as a life jacket if you are wearing it. I keep a full set of regular and a full set of inflatable pfd’s onboard. That way I can wear or not wear one depending on the heat. Just keep this in mind. Since removing the inflatable pfd just to change shirts/ add or remove layers. Adding a rain coat under it etc. would make you temporarily illegal and possibly subject to a fine.
It’s possible I’m completely wrong. But this is what I was always taught.

I don't see any statement to that effect here and I can't imagine any WCO citing you for taking off a PFD for a second to change your shirt.

Regardless, NOT wearing a wearable assumes in an emergency you can get TO the wearable and put it on under conditions that might cause panic.

Folks can do what they want but IMHO not wearing a wearable PFD is not smart... That why I am so happy with my PFD, it's so comfortable and cool I wear it all the time.

 

[5footfenwick]

 

[afishinado]

I have an inflatable...HATE IT! I use an NRS Chinook instead.

+1 ^

The NRS Chinook is a good PFD.

I have a Kokatat Leviathan that I wear all the time on the water.

It's doubles as my fishing vest.

 

[Bamboozle]

View attachment 1641236918

I stand corrected but I still can't imagine being cited if it was off only to change a shirt versus left in the back of the boat for an extended period...

 

[5footfenwick]

I stand corrected but I still can't imagine being cited if it was off only to change a shirt versus left in the back of the boat for an extended period...

To be honest I wasn’t 100% sure. Thanks for the link! FYI @poopdeck schooled me on boat registration law a little while back. Hope I made him proud!

I agree I can’t imagine it being a big deal to take it off and change shirts. To a WCO it may be different.? Not sure.

As I read it “only legal when worn.” I assume then the opposite must also be true. “Illegal when not worn” I’m not sure how long you were illegal would matter in a WCO’s eyes’s. Depends how bad you want to change shirts I guess. Risk to reward ratio comes into play 😊

 

[Bamboozle]

To be honest I wasn’t 100% sure. Thanks for the link! FYI @poopdeck schooled me on boat registration law a little while back. Hope I made him proud!

I agree I can’t imagine it being a big deal to take it off and change shirts. To a WCO it may be different.? Not sure.

As I read it “only legal when worn.” I assume then the opposite must also be true. “Illegal when not worn” I’m not sure how long you were illegal would matter in a WCO’s eyes’s. Depends how bad you want to change shirts I guess. Risk to reward ratio comes into play 😊

As I know from many conversation with WCO's over the years, they like to observe a behavior for a while before intervening for a warning or citation. Maybe I'm naive but I can envision a WCO doing nothing after watching it come off for a reason IF it gets put back on immediately afterwards.

Another thing that surprises me is this requirement:

Assisting in rescue - Boats 16 feet and over must have a USCG-approved immediately available throwable device on board.​

I always carry a rope throw bag when I'm on a boat but when I rented a 12 foot Jon boat recently, I was told we needed one throwable device (even though the boat was UNDER 16 feet).

I don't know if the guy was just mixed up or it was a requirement on this particular watershed but I may seek clarification the next time.

What I do know is a throwable device like the seat cushion they provided with NO rope attached for retrieval after an errant throw or to assist someone IF they grab on...

...is about as useless as not wearing a wearable PFD... 😉

 

[crghss]

As an avid kayaker I’d start with a good PFD. If you find it uncomfortable then try the inflatable.

I’ve seen a few accidental inflation which cost money every time. And you’d better have a backup/new cartridge.

I wear my PFD every time and don’t even notice now. Also keep your phone in the PDF.

 

[MBWCC]

Something to keep in mind. I’m pretty sure the rules change when you switch to inflatable pfd’s.

I believe you cannot legally remove it while on the water.
You must wear it at all times while aboard your vessel. If you take it off, it no longer counts as a life jacket. If you get checked, and aren’t wearing it fully buckled up, you will get fined for having no life jackets onboard. It only counts as a life jacket if you are wearing it.

Not universally true. Read the PFD's USCG label. Know what you are reading. Know the laws in the state or county where you are operating. Some inflatable PFDs are rated TYPE III for personal vessels but are rated TYPE V for non-inspected commercial vessels. Other inflatable PFDs are strictly rated TYPE III, others are strictly rated TYPE V. Some inflatable PFDs state on the label the device must be worn, others do not. Some states require TYPE V PFDs be worn at all times (e.g. Montana previously did so for rivers, but does not so require now). Absent a label requirement, TYPE III PFDs are never required to be worn at all times.

 

[MBWCC]

View attachment 1641236918

View attachment 1641236918

I don't know where you found this PFBC document, nor its history, but it is incorrect. There is no PA regulation stating "inflatable", hence the linked document is obviously incorrect. The PFD definitive code is Title 58, Section 97.1 (b). It states the device must be used in accordance with the USCG label. If the label doesn't state "must be worn" then wearing the device is not required. Period.

 

[5footfenwick]

I don't know where you found this PFBC document, nor its history, but it is incorrect. There is no PA regulation stating "inflatable", hence the linked document is obviously incorrect. The PFD definitive code is Title 58, Section 97.1 (b). It states the device must be used in accordance with the USCG label. If the label doesn't state "must be worn" then wearing the device is not required. Period.

It’s the link in bamboozles post. Seems to be the fish commission website? Not sure. It’s a link, I clicked it and screenshot it. Can’t speak to its authenticity or accuracy.

 

[nymphingmaniac]

Just a thought. Is the point of having and properly using a PFD to meet the law or save your life?

 

[Javelin389t]

I agree with anther poster. I have one from bass pro shops and it seems heavy on the shoulders and hurts after wearing for a length of time. My only advise is, make sure its very comfortable for all day wear.