Any of you use this style PFD? Pro's and con's would be appreciated. Is the water-triggered version that much better than a manually-triggered one? Do they make them for kids?

FNP, I usually always have mine on while fishing out at Westport, especially since we lost one of our PSA members (and fishing pal) a few years ago. I use one that is manually deployed as I use in while steelheading on the river too, and don't want it unintentionally going off while wading across a river.
One of the guys that fishes with me had his off and was sunlounging in his seat, when a freak wave put some water in the boat and all we heard was this "woosh" sound as his PFD went off. We were laughing when he really should have had it on, it was off laying on the deck. Duh.

Much better to play it safe, than to think you look funny wearing that thing. Mine is a dark blue, and one thing that I notice is that when the sun comes out it gets kinda hot.

Hope I never get the chance to try mine out!


Steve

Actually, depends on where you plan to use them. I'll get flack for this, but I wouldn't use them on moving rivers. On lakes and the salt, they're perfect. You don't need the auto inflate, but are nice to have. Especially if you're on flat water and by chance have an accident and you get thrown unconscious. A bonus at that point. I actually have two from the UK. Excellent, and great floatation (mine make the SOS's look like pool toy PFD's lol).

On rivers, I only use and suggest standard PFD's. It's too easy to get thrown and become knocked out (since chances are if boat gets flipped it's because of rapids usually caused by boulders). Even an auto inflate takes a few seconds to inflate. Which isn't long. But long enough for you to become submerged just long enough to become sucked into a hydraulic and STAY UNDER! When I did swiftwater rescue (used to be certified, think it's well expired by now lol) had people pulled under with high floatation vests on. But for some, having that floatation working the second you hit the water was a lifesaver too.

If you do decide on an inflatable (guess it's better to have an inflatable then none, though I don't like trusting my life to something mechanical especially with vests), go with one of the better ones. Don't go off price, go off quality and how they are rated. Go off the floatation factor. You want as high of "pounds" of floatation as possible. I'd find one at least rated at 25#'s floatation. If not more. My vests are rated at 35#'s of floatation.

But, for my own personal preference.

Salt/lake-Inflatable PFD perfect
River-standard PFD

Chances are most of the rivers most people fish on will be fine with an inflatable. But, those who fish stretches of the Duc, Calawah, etc you are running some good water. If you do get an inflatable, make sure it's an auto. I've been thrown from quite a few boats over the years, and the last thing you'll do is reach down to pull that rip chord. Unless you're ex military and have been water hazard trained. Then you're probably ready to do it without thinking of it.

FNP, I have four of them that I carry in my boat on the Sound and Ocean all the time. They are the Auto inflate as I believe in an emergency it may be hard to find the ripcord. I have everybody that fishes with me wear one. The only time I don't like them is on a flat calm hot summer day. Then they get a little warm. They do make a child's model that has built in inflation as well as the air. My daughter is fairly small and she don't mind wearing this one when I used to fight with her to wear normal life jackets.

I use the inflateable pfd (manual) when I am fishing or any time the boat is not moving at speed. When running to the fishing grounds or when the boat is at speed I wear a regular pfd.
The inflatables are very comfortable to wear while fishing, working the downriggers, etc... as they allow alot of free movement. If you wish to wear one all the time get a auto inflate incase you do get knocked silly by hitting the water at speed.
I also wear my inflateable over my float coat durring the winter months blackmouth fishing, never even know its there.

I am sorta with Steelheader 69 on this one, if you are in a place where you think you might need a life jacket, probably should be a good one. I see a lot of people wearing those SOS spenders and it just does not look like something I would bet my life on. Extrasport makes some models that are pretty slick and not real bulkey.. I read sometime ago that like 75 % of men that are pulled out of the water after drowning have their fly open ( peeing out of a boat at speed # 1 cause of drowning for men).. I can see how that might be true. Closest I ever came was wading in the Salmon river with a pair of seal dry rubber waders on. Slipped and they filled up in 1 second and took me to the bottom. If my buddy would not have been with me I think I would have drowned.

Those auto inflate ones you guys are talking about. They work off a sensor that detects water??? I don't think I have ever seen those. What if it was raining out ??? must be more to it than that ??

I dont really trust the inflatable PFD's(to many varialbles to go wrong, bad Co2 cylider, finding the release cord), But they are better than nothing.

I Bought a stearns life jacket. I found the one that was the lightest and offered the most range of motion. When I'm wearing it I hardly know its on even in the summer time it is never to warm to wear. It is a little bulky in front but I've gotten used to it. the only change I would make is to eliminate the buckles and just use the zipper. the loose ends of the straps can get in the way when flyfishing.

check out the homer picture in the "wild fish pic" thread... he's wearing it!

Actually, there is a sensor that sits up under the closed flaps (shouldn't be exposed) that activates once water surrounds it. NG's would scare me. I haven't seen one do that. Most usually have to be fully submerged before they activate. Mine are Crewsaver models from the UK. Mine is top of the line models. Luckily, I got them free. LOL. But work for my calm water. But, just got the vest of my dreams. It'll be my new lifevest. It's a military tactical lifevest (not inflatable). Has lots of pockets. Just did an edit, here's an actual picture of my vest. It's actually a flat black, camera flash makes it look more brownish green with black highlights.

Not as bulky as it looks, and can row in it (used by quite a few Elite forces). My buddy in the Navy had one, and I fell in love with it. Just found one of my own (and ALOT cheaper then the $500 price tag on them lol). Nicest thing of all, one size fits all, good bouyancy, is also can be used as a fishing vest, plus can add a hydration bladder in the back (is designed for one actually). Cost me less then buying a William Joseph Coastal Pack plus is an approved floatation device (these are now being issued to the Coast Guard and some Navy units). So got the coast guard approval there too. LOL

I bought 1 auto inflate to try. At over a hundred bucks a pop I wanted to make sure they were what I really wanted. To date I have had to replace the cartridge twice in the last 2 yrs from it going off while in storage apparently from excess moisture in the air.(once in the boat and once in the garage). Have'nt made up my mind yet but am leaning towards the mustang floatation coats

I have the SOSuspenders from West Marine. Very comfortable and mine is the manual inflate model.

My father-in-law had the same in auto-inflate and it too went off in storage due to high humidity (boat hull)

If you do buy them for the kids, I'd recommend having them try it out in the lake or pool before they really need it. Especially if they have a manual inflatable.

I too am always a little concerned about hitting the water unconscious. Seems about once every couple of years Whidbey has a boat wash up on the beach w/ the owner tied off to it, w/o a pfd. usually sailboats, but it could happen to anyone.


Kayaking shops also sell very comfortable PFD's

Ok, so for the rowers out there, what is the most comfortable standard (non-inflatable) PFD that's confortable to row in? Personally, the less I have to think about if I do take a dip the better. I've seen some low cut PFD's that kayakers use, anyone have any experience?

First of all, Steelheader's vest rocks! I would love to know how to find one. As far as comfort goes I have been very happy with the two Lotus Design PFDs we have. They have a side zip and adjust to fit very well. It allows excellent range of motion. In addition, they make PFDs for women, built for women. I know that is important for my wife because if she hates putting it on and wearing it , she won't wear it as much as she should. The Extrasport PFDs are great also. I have two Lotus now and I'm shopping for a couple more to have for friends, fishing partners. I believe in safety first and feel like it's important to provide something people will feel comfortable in, something that enhances their real and perceived sense of security. Ultimately, the issue of amount of flotation comes into play. The highest floatation PFDs are very bulky. If you are putting them on people in the boat strictly for safety, they are hard to beat. The real world situation is that they are not as comfortable or user friendly as far as fishing and rowing are concerned. By the time I get all my stuff on, I still need to be able to move. The design of the vests limit the amount of flotation you can have, it's kind of a trade off. I am not running huge water so I bank on being able to have the PFD help me self rescue, the difference in flotation may not be as much of a difference (10 lbs) as it seems. I would like to see a manufacturer make a vest that has an inflatable bladder as a supplement to the flotation in the vest itself, one that self-inflates. I agree with the previous posts that you may not have a chance to activate your vest. If I was buying an inflatable vest, I would probably go with Mustang. As a last thought, the inflatables are comfortable in that there is not much to them. Anything that doesn't breath (all PFDs) are going to it uncomfortable to some extent. A lot depends on how you are fishing and/or boating.

Riverdog, I may have a line on another one. If you're interested, let me know. Will cost about $120 or so though (which, normally cost $500 new).

Yeah, the Lotus are nice. You guys can also get the more Neopreme type lifevests that are snug next to your body. If you buy them, make sure you have a jacket on so you don't buy too small. Not as much play as other PFD's. Cabela's has a few nice ones for rowers. The cool mesh vest and the other mesh vest (can't remember model name) that has big pockets for gear as well. Only about $40 and work great.