Inflatable PFD's Question

gblack15

gblack15

Well-known member
I am sure someone will know the answer to this question. If I have all of my adult passsengers wear a type IV mamually inflatable PFD do I need any other lefevests on my 13' airboat ?
 
I believe no, but they have to be wearing it for it to be considered legal! If they are not wearing it you must have one of the other approved vests on the boat as well!!!
 
gblack15,

I very strongly believe in inflatable PFD's. Everyone on your boat should be wearing one, any time you're on the water.

I also think that you should carry at least a couple of throw-able PFD's, whether the law requires it, or not. You never know when you may need them. It's much better to have 'em and not need 'em, than to need 'em and not have 'em.

Duane
 
Any Info on where to buy these life vest?
How much are they?
What do they look like?
Anyone got a picture of one?

Thanx
 
CRACKERSTYLE said:
Any Info on where to buy these life vest?
How much are they?
What do they look like?
Anyone got a picture of one?

Thanx
Click to expand...

Cabelas is the only place I could find the automatic/manual in camp if for a hunting application. If not both bass pro and cabelas have just regular colored ones
 
I bought four real nice inflatables on sale at West Marine for about $70 ea. Like Farm Eqpt. said, they only count if they're being worn. If everyone on your boat has one on, no other type of flotation device is required.
 
ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO I SLID INTO A CYPRESS KNEE THROWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE BOAT KNOCKED OUT FOR A VERY SHORT TIME , I THINK..... I HAVE WORN A PFD IN THE BOAT EVERY SINCE
 
Heck just ask anyone who has sunk an airboat ... if they had time to get a PFD outta the front hatch and put it on ... I am not that fast anymore myself and I ride alone ..as in no other boats with me quite often .. so I try to wear them. I like the mustangs myself .. I had the others but the pill models get damp and go off .. the mustangs I use are pressure controlled so rain doesn't affect them and neither does humidity in the front hold while being stored ...

and yes if you use type IV they must be worn to be legal .. I still carry regular wearable ones in the front hatch just in case someone doesn't put one on and we get stopped and checked. They make great cushiony bottoms in the front hatch area anyways and keep your other stuff above any small amounts of water that might get in the hold area.
 
Check with the state on if they need to be worn. My understanding is they have to be aviliable for use. A type 4 throwable floation device is required. The state under boating safety requirements has a list of all required boat safety equipment. Depending on the type, size and use of the boat requirements vary.

I like the manual inflatable type, easy to use, light, not bulky and recharge kits prices are reasonable. The auto inflate kind cost more and the recharge kits start at $40. each. The auto inflate come with one thats moisture activated and/or water pressure activated. I would go with the pressure activated if that the way you want to go.

I have had to use both the auto and manual inlatable kinds and they work fine. With the auto inflate I fell into 18 inches of water and was in no danger of drowning but it when it went off just about pushed me upright.

Check on Amazon or other sites for good prices, often can save 25-30%.

I'm along with the pratice of having everyone on the airboat, or any boat wear them all the time.

SS
 
West marine does carry them,about a hundred dollars,auto inflate.but only count if it is being worn.
 
Here's an interesting stat from the insurance people ....... 87% of drownings occur while a boat is docked. Somebody gets into the juice, falls off the dock and hits their head, and we read about 'em in the next day's paper. :drunken:
 
florida law ???

327.50 Vessel safety regulations; equipment and lighting requirements.—

(1)(a) The owner and operator of every vessel on the waters of this state shall carry, store, maintain, and use safety equipment in accordance with current United States Coast Guard safety equipment requirements as specified in the Code of Federal Regulations, unless expressly exempted by the department.

(b) No person shall operate a vessel less than 26 feet in length on the waters of this state unless every person under 6 years of age on board the vessel is wearing a type I, type II, or type III Coast Guard approved personal flotation device while such vessel is underway. For the purpose of this section, “underway” shall mean at all times except when a vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore, or aground.

(2) No person shall operate a vessel on the waters of this state unless said vessel is equipped with properly serviceable lights and shapes required by the navigation rules.

(3) The use of sirens or flashing, occulting, or revolving lights on any vessel is prohibited, except as expressly provided in the navigation rules or annexes thereto.

History.—s. 8, ch. 59-400; s. 13, ch. 63-105; s. 1, ch. 65-361; s. 7, ch. 74-327; s. 8, ch. 81-100; s. 2, ch. 81-114; s. 9, ch. 84-188; s. 2, ch. 86-35; s. 5, ch. 88-133; s. 2, ch. 92-188; s. 463, ch. 95-148; s. 7, ch. 98-308.

Note.—Former s. 371.57.

coast gurd regulations ????

•Certain life jackets are designed to keep your head above water and help you remain in a position which permits proper breathing.

•To meet U.S. Coast Guard requirements, a boat must have a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III, or V life jacket for each person aboard. Boats 16 feet and over must have at least one Type IV throwable device as well.
•All states have regulations regarding life jacket wear by children.

I used to think you had to wear them but now I wonder ??? it still is a great idea to and I wll continue to do so ... but is it the law ??? somebody find it then
 
BANANABOAT said:
Do not trust inflatable vest's.They fail alot!
Click to expand...

They will allways inflate with the manual tube no matter if the co2 goes off or not. The pills should be replaced every year in floridas humidity if you store them in the boat.
I had one that was not being used when my boat sunk It was in a box that filled with water and it never went off and there is no way we would have ever gotten to it before the boat was out of site and the regular ones were also in the hatch and unreacheable.
Heck the boat was upside down and we were accounting for everyone when it sank to the bottom. The entire time from running the boat to it sitting on the bottom of the river was about 45 seconds. I will always have my inflateable PFD on when I am on an airboat from then on. I was wearing mine that day and very glad I was. You don't realize how heavy all the clothes you are wearing are until they are soaked and your trying to swim in them.
 
Good thread! I've heard some folks ask, 'what is considered deep water' ? Deep water is when you can't stand flat footed on the bottom with your head above water. In my case that's only about 5 ft. What will deep water be for your 9 yo.?

Please wear 'em ........ I know they don't look cool, but they'll get you all back home.
 
Bought two really nice Auto/Manual ones at BP last night. They were on sale for 109.00 cheapest I have seen the Auto / Manual ones.
 
I have owned and worn inflatable PFDs for several years now. Any worn inflatable is much better than not having a PFD on while underway. IMO - "deep water" depends on whether you are conscious or not, whether you are injured or not and how much clothing and footwear you have on. I, too, favor Mustangs. They have a far longer and larger air bladder than many others -- that's important if you favor the typical overweight American - as I do.

There is another option available from Mustang -- it is a Mustang flotation jacket and is absolutely terrific when it comes to eliminating cold winds from human skin. I have purchased several used off CraigsList and Ebay for in the range of $100.00.
 
Dave, I've heard about those. My hesitation was that I thought they might be awful hot in the Summer, but any PFD is better than NO PFD!!
 
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