Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Inflatable PFD

Probably not, she went from being a pistol toting baged law enforcement officer to just being a girl all in a matter of a few seconds and was at a loss as to what to do about it.

For the guys that own them and wear them, what type would you recommend for fishing trout ponds out of a small canoe and wading fast water fly fishing?

Thanks.

Frank

This Onyx that I use is hard to beat. They aren't at all bulky or in the way. You definitely want the auto inflating kind. If you step in a hole and your waders are pulling you down, you sure aren't going to get a manual inflation one blown up.

Confusion there. A manually inflating one works by pulling that orange or yellow "T" handle. It still uses a CO2 cylinder and inflates immediately. It does not have a method of inflating on its own when submerged, however.

All of them have a mouth tube you can use if the CO2 system fails or you have a slow leak, but it is NOT the primary inflation method. (It is also the best way to check for leaks once a year without using the CO2.)

I have never used and auto inflate one, but wear one of my two PFD's when even just walking a gnarly bank fishing on any of these local rivers or streams. I never go in a boat without one on either. Filled too many body bags over the years !

That's true but if your waders are full of water and you're in a current being knocked around, getting hold of that handle won't be easy. You want it filled and you want it now without having to screw with anything.

I'll put up with any discomfort, and wear one that is fool proof.

Something is better than nothing.

I guess.

I don't find the bulkies to be unduly in the way of most anything. Everyone in the boat wears one. Everyone. I much prefer the float coats tho.



Especially the railwalking bait....

I worked one summer out in the Bristol Bay country for ADF&G. They mandated PFD at all times on the water, and issued us loaner , bright orange float coats.

The instruction sheet for this topic stated: "It probably won't save your life, but it will help us find your body."

Someone had a sick, but not necessarily untruthful sense of black humor.

You need to resist the temptation to loosen them up. it floats, you may not.

All well and good, but I'll wager you wouldn't wear one in Mississippi in July, not unless you're comfortable with heatstroke.

By definition any Type 5 has to be worn to count toward the carriage requirement. If it is not a Type 5, it doesn't have to be worn (unless an age requirement) to be counted. A lot of inflatables are Type 2 or 3 for recreational boats and Type 5 for commercial vessels. My primary inflatable is a Type 5.

I have a couple plastic powder bottles in boat.

the hole isn't nearly big enough...hence my coffee can.

There are ones that will inflate when wet. Different system.

I guide 3 months a year on a river in AK that coast guard sometimes says is not navigable waters. Glacier run off. I put a vest on when I get out of the truck. If I fall on the dock..... and hit my head.

Anyway It carries some coast guard rating. Orange. Says work vest on it. I remember the wording HIT on the activator, IE from water pressure not from just getting wet. IIRC 34-38 pounds flotation which is way more than a normal vest that folks wear.

When in rough whitewater with the jet boat I'll put on a normal vest and this one over....

It was an amazon buy. It was not cheap. Maybe 200 bucks. But its my life. I know how fast people float down the river if they fall in. They make the bridge faster than they expect. If they hit the Susitna they are most likely dead. So like I say I try to have it on EVERY time when I get out of the truck and dont take it off until I'm away from the dock.

Just makes sense.

Mustang Survival HIT technology. 240 bucks. its my life.

https://www.amazon.com/Mustang-Survival-Inflatable-Hydrostatic-Reflective/dp/B00QMT5M9C/ref=sr_1_4?crid=3DYGNY3157QZ8&dchild=1&keywords=inflatable+life+vest+orange&qid=1616627472&s=sporting-goods&sprefix=inflatable+life+ve%2Csporting%2C183&sr=1-4

Hope this helps.

If it's a HIT, it's a Mustang. Those are very good PFDs. https://mustangsurvival.com/products/hit-inflatable-pfd-md3183-02

Here's a label on a Type 2 Recreational, Type 5 Commercial inflatable. This one would not have to be worn to count toward the recreational carriage requirements.

Thats pretty much it. My life could rely on it. And frankly I'm in danger just being on the bank or in the boat watching up to 6 folks. Falling in even when not running is very possible.

I like that I can and do wear it in the rain. Has a lot of flotation.

And like others know, wearing a big real one and working often aren't going together all that well.

That cold water can be instantaneously debilitating too.