Automatic or Manual Inflate PFD ?
- Thread starter Jack F
- Start date
2000SEARAY280SS
Member
I went with the auto inflate. If I go in the water I want the life vest to inflate by its self in case I can’t inflate it. The auto will do either manual or auto. I boat by myself from time to time and I wear the auto inflate and the auto tether for the kill switch.
FireIsland1
New Member
with a type 5 vest , the auto inflate is considerd the back up . The primary is manual inflate because the manual pull can inflate without touching water.
there are 2 important facts to remember. The backup auto needs time to activate once you are in the water. The other is don't leave it on the deck overnight like i did. It auto inflated from a damp deck
there are 2 important facts to remember. The backup auto needs time to activate once you are in the water. The other is don't leave it on the deck overnight like i did. It auto inflated from a damp deck
tobnpr
New Member
So, I assume these are useless if it rains, or you get doused with spray?
If so, what would be the point to owning one?
- Feb 4, 2007
- 7,251
- Boat Info
- 1996 450DA, TNT, Caribe dink w/15hp OB.
- Engines
- 3126 427HP TD transmissions
I went with the manual for the wet reasons above.
Henry Boyd
Well-Known Member
- Apr 24, 2007
- 6,014
- Boat Info
- ‘09 Sabre 38 Hardtop Express “Serenity”
- Engines
- Volvo D6 w/IPS450 Pods
We have both. We have found our auto inflates to be more durable than FireIsland1's experience. I also have to admit we bought two of each because we couldn't make up our minds as to which type was better.
Henry
Henry
I have the manual ones for our family members. I have the auto-inflate ones for guests. I actually used to have the auto-inflate for everyone but I switched the mechanism to manual after one season.
The issue with these things is they are incapacitating with regards to movement after they inflate. They are tight around your neck and waist and you are not going to do much but float in the water. If you need to get into a life raft, get a dinghy off, get a ditch bag, grab the dogs, go in and out of spaces on a sinking boat, etc, you are not going to do it with that life vest inflated.
When I repack ours, everyone jumps in the water and tests the old cartridges and it gives everyone a feeling how these things work. They are COLD and make it nearly impossible to swim around... but you do float...
The bobbins in them also will dissolve if they get wet/damp. Generally, infrequent spray won't do it as the bobbin is protected... however, if left in a damp locker or dockbox, they'll inflate...
My ditch bag also has spare repacking materials for these things. I also have repacking materials in my general spares stuff.
The issue with these things is they are incapacitating with regards to movement after they inflate. They are tight around your neck and waist and you are not going to do much but float in the water. If you need to get into a life raft, get a dinghy off, get a ditch bag, grab the dogs, go in and out of spaces on a sinking boat, etc, you are not going to do it with that life vest inflated.
When I repack ours, everyone jumps in the water and tests the old cartridges and it gives everyone a feeling how these things work. They are COLD and make it nearly impossible to swim around... but you do float...
The bobbins in them also will dissolve if they get wet/damp. Generally, infrequent spray won't do it as the bobbin is protected... however, if left in a damp locker or dockbox, they'll inflate...
My ditch bag also has spare repacking materials for these things. I also have repacking materials in my general spares stuff.