Auto inflating PFD's

[Waterthunder]

After recent events I'm going to purchase two auto inflating PFD's any recommendations on which ones and where to buy them.

 

[cntry141iq]

buy one from ksrva at the memorial day deal at shady oaks. i bought from them and they are nice ones

 

[Capt Jeff]

After recent events I'm going to purchase two auto inflating PFD's any recommendations on which ones and where to buy them.

I only put my client's in the SOSpenders.

#1 in all books.

 

[david johnson]

By all means support the airboat community whenever possible
but on the other hand one from your local West Marine or Boat US you know will work when you need it along with beingcoast guard approved .
Only othe radvise i can give you is make sure you get PROPER SIZES.Example:i was sea trialing 36 Contender off shore boat when we noticed something orange bobbing in water. Turns some poor old man had his little inflateable over.He was wearing auto inflatable vest.PROBLEM WAS IT WAS TWO SIZES TO SMALL AND ALMOST CHOKED HIM TO DEATH.FINALLY WE CUT IT FROM HIS NECK JUST SO HE COULD BREATH.Just figured id put in my experience

 

[Waterthunder]

Thanks guy's, I want one after knowing of somebody trying to swim down after wrecking a boat. He should have been killed twice over but managed to live thru several issues and almost drowned swimming down. Like I said you always hear the sentence he was a good swimmer I can't believe he drowned. Think about it how many times have you heard he was a terrible swimmer and he drowned. Also good point DJ I need a big vest that's another reason I need an inflatable because I'm 300Lbs and can't fit in a seat with a life vest on unless it's an auto inflator. If I keep racing against all these 135 pound aircraft jockeys I better call Jenny Craig or try that new crack head diet.

 

[stan]

been gettin used to wearin one that i got from cntry. now if i can just get cheryl to wear hers.

 

[bravo1218]

I would also recomend getting an auto inflate unit. My big fear is if you are ejected from a boat you might not be concious to pull the inflation tab. Unless you can remember while flyint thru the air to pull the inflater you could be in trouble.

 

[david johnson]

Water if you need bigger style seat i might can help there also. lol
we dont need any more crack heads than we already have lol :shock:

 

[I Roll]

Stearns is the manufacturer of SOSPENDERS. Great product. I would suggest that if you do decide to purchase the Strearns product that you go with the model that has the 38 gram CO2 cylinder (unless they now make a larger one). I know that they come with 16g, 24g and 25g but I wouldn't bother with anything smaller 38 grams. If KVRSA is out of the fully automatics take a look on eBay and if you're patient you can find one for a lot less than in the boating stores. I got one for under $70 delivered.

Be sure to get a fully automatic vest. The manually deployed vests are not a good solution for airboating and other recreational activities where there is a risk of being thrown from the boat or in quick sinking situations. Also, keep in mind, in order for your vest to be counted as a life preserver you must be wearing it. In other words, if it's stuffed under the seat it's considered to be the same as not having a PFD and could result in a ticket if you don't have another type of PFD on board.

 

[Anonymous]

When you buy a new inflatable, go ahead and buy a couple of extra cartridges for it. You should manually test fire one of them at least once a year, and then repack it and replace the cartridge.
Nothing would be worse than to need the jacket and find out that the old gas cylinder had leaked out.

feather

 

[a1mudpuppy]

One thing Country for got to tell you is that ones at theKRVSA are only $75.00 and it's an auto inflate. Good price West Marine's are $125 and up Bass Pro Shop are$99 and up. I purchased on from KRVSA, just need my boat running