Inflatable life vest

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KJN
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2014/12/11 09:59:03 (permalink)

Inflatable life vest

I'm looking into buying a inflatable life vest.  I was wondering the pro's & cons of the manual vs automatic style.  I would only wear it during cold weather/water.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.  I'm a bigger guy 6'2" 260 lbs so is their a brand that is better for big people?
#1

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    Walleye jigs
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/11 10:15:32 (permalink)
    Hertes what my doc told me. They're both good but if you hit your head falling will you be able to find,let along pull a cord ? My kids insisted on the auto one,which I kept on from the time I got in the boat till I got out. That kept the kids off my back plus they bought at cabelas. I use to wonder it a heavy cold rain would set it off ! Main thing pay close attention to the expiration date,they don't last forever
    #2
    SlipperySmitt
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/11 13:20:55 (permalink)
    I have one of the better ones, forget the name. Works great! Mine could keep a true porker afloat. We flipped the canoe and it went of in a flash! It inflates right now and is like a huge yellow buoy around you. I could see it being a bit dangerous possibly if you didn't have the straps all hooked up properly.
     
     
    Smitty 

    Member since prior to Aug 2001. My profile on the side got messed up.
    #3
    KJN
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 07:37:11 (permalink)
    What expires? The CO2 or the jacket itself?
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    Erie Mako
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 09:41:40 (permalink)
    We have several automatics...I switched them to manual operation.
    I found that hot, humid weather will set them off if you leave them in your vehicle! (we had 3 of them do that...it got very frustrating!)
    I figured that leaving them in a covered boat out in the sun in the summer would have the same issues!
     
    They are the Cabelas 3500 series auto/manual ones.
     
    The thing that "expires" is the disc that activates the CO2 canister...it is some type of powder material compressed into a plastic carrier that fits into the trigger mechanism.
    I think the life cycle for them is something like 3 years, then you have to replace the disc.
    (bad thing is that you cant buy the disc seperately, it comes in a kit that has the CO2 cylinder with it and they are in the $15-$25 range)
     
    I think the 2500 series is rated 25# of flotation and the 3500 series is rated for 35# of flotation.
    (the average person floating in the water only "weighs" about 20#)
     
    Here's where I get on my soap box...if you get them, WEAR THEM...all of the time...not just in "cold weather/water"...after you get used to wearing the inflatables you won't even know you have it on...as the saying goes, "the life you save may be your own"!
     
    More than once I got off the boat and walked through the parking lot to get the truck & trailer and then realized I was still wearing my Mae West! - forgot I had it on...
     
    HTH.
     

    On the internet, EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!
    #5
    Walleye jigs
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 11:55:37 (permalink)
    Ditto that! Ive even driven home before I realized I still had the on. Mine was the 3500 model that when not in use was stored under my seat ,except in the winter. Always brought it in the house all spring. Like I stayed before I always wondered if getting caught in a heavy rainfall could set it off.
    #6
    KJN
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 12:18:51 (permalink)
    Did you guys order them on-line or did you try them on first?  Where did you buy them?
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    Erie Mako
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 13:48:34 (permalink)
    We got our first 2 at the Cabelas Wheeling store...they were a "spur of the moment" purchase, we happened to be there and they had a rediculous sale price on them.
    Come to think of it we got the second batch at the store also...another "lets get a couple more while we're here" to upgrade the old foam jackets!
     
    If you're worried about the fit...you should be good, I'm 6'5" and go 260# and they fit me just fine!
    I see in in Walleye jigs avatar he is wearing an inflatable...you can see that they aren't very cumbersome to wear...
     
    Sorry that I can't give you a "product review"...luckily we haven't had to actually use them for their intended purpose!
    Although I would like to jump in sometime and pull the trigger just to see how they actually do work...for two reasons...to become more familiar with their operation and to eliminate any "false sense of security" that may be present while wearing it! 
     

    On the internet, EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!
    #8
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/12 21:50:56 (permalink)
    Dang Mako...............  just saw your avatar...............  somebody fishing in your spot that day?

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #9
    Erie Mako
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/13 11:34:04 (permalink)
    No...it was Fisherlady's turn to drive that day!

    On the internet, EVERYONE is entitled to their opinion!
    #10
    BeenThereDoneThat.
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    Re: Inflatable life vest 2014/12/13 11:51:30 (permalink)
     .......... 

    Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a life time. ~Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie (1837–1919)~
     
     
     
      Old fisherman never die; we just smell that way. 
     
    #11
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