Hi all, I thought you might find this interesting. Last week I posted a thread about inflatable pfd's what type dp you have and or recommend. I got some very good answers. I also got some answers that were not true. One was that they can go off in heavy fog. The other is they will go off in rain. I was at the boat show sunday in seattle and talked to mustang about their airforce pfd. I was told that no way could heavy fog affect the jacket. It would take more moisture than heavy fog to affect it. Probably was that the unit had been subject to moisture over a long time. Either when stored or repeated use over and extended time outside. He recommended replacing the fuse from time to time depending on how much you use it probably once a year. As for rain to set it off the water would have to some how make it into the area where the firing mechanism is located. Then would have to travel upwards to set it off. Unless you fish standing on your head this is probably not going to happen. To add to this a little bit I also asked in my previous post if it is worth paying the extra for the mustang versus sos. I found out that the mustang comes with a second cylinder so rearming would be less expensive the second time. My dad picked one up at the show for himself. That made me happy he is not as steady on the boat as he used to be now that he is 78. I did not as they dont make one big enough 52 inch chest is all the bigger they have. I know I know I eat to much. Mustang is coming out with a bigger one for us larger folks. If you want an inflatable pfd now that fits us larger guys you have to go with the SOS and order and extension belt.

Have to disagree about rain being capable of setting one off. you ever bend over the side of the boat to release a fish? When fishing you do not always stand straight up. So I could in fact think of a few ways that water could flow up it to the fireing machinism.

I looked at them pretty close and I cant see how rain could make it in their in enough quantity to fire the mechinism. You have to remember the device is in front of you. The firing mechinism is located up inside. It would take a alot of rain and an extended time frame to get water to that point and keep it their. Could rain set it off of course it is water the likely hood near zero. If you subject the coat to situations that are very wet. You need to check the firing mech. more often. Better yet take the cap to make your auto inflate vest a manual one and put it on. Just hope you are concious to pull the rip cord. I like the idea of these units because it is something I will actually wear as apposed to a bulky life jacket.