04-23-2020, 10:56 PM
(This post was last modified: 04-23-2020, 10:58 PM by Tin-Can.
Edit Reason: spelling
)
Everything Anglinarcher said 
darn right . I personally operationaly tested my auto inflating PFD at Mantua last year. Not on purpose, but I got "tossed" off the back of my boat. Fortunately it was August (I think) at least it was warm, I wasn't moving. And my PFD went off just as advertised. I had owned that one for 6 or 7 years, and had been in the habit of replacing the whole charging kit every 2 years. Each time I replaced it, I would pull the manual lanyard, inflate the vest, and let it sit a few days to be sure there were no leaks. Then deflate it, install the new cylinder and thimble, pack it all away, and ready for the next 2 seasons. I never did actually have it on when I inflated it those times. So when I got launched off the boat last summer I learned something valuable. The size of auto inflating PFD you use really needs to be a good fit to your body size. Mine inflated, so I knew I wouldn't drown. But it inflated up so tight around my neck, it almost strangled me instead. Had to unbuckle it to release the pressure on my neck. Then once I got a good hand hold on the boat, had to take it off in order to climb back in over the motor.
I have since moved up in size. The right size auto inflating PFD can be rather spendy, BUT HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE or the life of a family member worth ?
Elkantlers, if you still have the packaging that the new ones came in, there should be an owners manual in them. I recommend you keep that somewhere for future reference. And not all CO2 recharging kits are the same. When you do buy one, be sure it is the type required by YOUR vests.
darn right . I personally operationaly tested my auto inflating PFD at Mantua last year. Not on purpose, but I got "tossed" off the back of my boat. Fortunately it was August (I think) at least it was warm, I wasn't moving. And my PFD went off just as advertised. I had owned that one for 6 or 7 years, and had been in the habit of replacing the whole charging kit every 2 years. Each time I replaced it, I would pull the manual lanyard, inflate the vest, and let it sit a few days to be sure there were no leaks. Then deflate it, install the new cylinder and thimble, pack it all away, and ready for the next 2 seasons. I never did actually have it on when I inflated it those times. So when I got launched off the boat last summer I learned something valuable. The size of auto inflating PFD you use really needs to be a good fit to your body size. Mine inflated, so I knew I wouldn't drown. But it inflated up so tight around my neck, it almost strangled me instead. Had to unbuckle it to release the pressure on my neck. Then once I got a good hand hold on the boat, had to take it off in order to climb back in over the motor. I have since moved up in size. The right size auto inflating PFD can be rather spendy, BUT HOW MUCH IS YOUR LIFE or the life of a family member worth ?
Elkantlers, if you still have the packaging that the new ones came in, there should be an owners manual in them. I recommend you keep that somewhere for future reference. And not all CO2 recharging kits are the same. When you do buy one, be sure it is the type required by YOUR vests.
"OCD = Obsessive Catfish Disorder "
Or so it says on my license plate holder
Or so it says on my license plate holder