Auto Inflating Jife Jackets

[Billfo]

Ive been looking at the CABELAS and the MUSTANG automatically inflating lifejackets. I read reviews about them going off in the rain. IS this true ? I would think that in bad weather is expecially the time you should wear a life jacket at all times. Certainly these are not only for good weather..

[flytyer57]

Ive been looking at the CABELAS and the MUSTANG automatically inflating lifejackets. I read reviews about them going off in the rain. IS this true ? I would think that in bad weather is expecially the time you should wear a life jacket at all times. Certainly these are not only for good weather..

I opted for the manual CO2 inflation. Just pull the rip cord and it inflates.

From what I've heard, a bit of rain will not inflate the auto models. They have to actually get pretty wet to inflate.

[Billfo]

I opted for the manual CO2 inflation. Just pull the rip cord and it inflates.

From what I've heard, a bit of rain will not inflate the auto models. They have to actually get pretty wet to inflate.

Thanks for your reply.. I would hope that these things can withstand a light shower. Im looking at the auto models as I fish alone most of the time, hate to slip, bonk my head fall in the water & drown. Right now im 50% !

[jdmidwest]

Both of my CO2 units are manual, but like you, if you get a whack on the head, how will you pull the cord. I have a Stearns Belt model and another that is inserted into an Orvis Flyfishing Vest. They are comfortable on the days that I feel confident that I will not need much. In the winter, I always wear a real PFD. The shock from the temp of the water could be the same as a whack on the head.

Do a little research, surely the mechanism that activates the self inflatables requires immersion before it pops. I am sure they will take in account the fact that most fisherman will not be off the water because of a little rain.

[rps]

I've had a Mustang three years. It has inflated twice. Once when I left it in the bed of the pickup and drove home in a cloudburst. The other time when I had it in a boat compartment when I had the boat in my drive for the annual cleanup and work over and it rained for two days before I remembered to pull the plug. It never has inflated while I was wearing it while fishing in rain.

[jeb]

I have this Mustang. Had for about a year now. It's never inflated on me. I do take reasonable care to make sure it stays dry, like most all of my stuff. But I've had it in the rain a couple of times with no issues.

[Billfo]

Thanks guys for all yoru responses.. I will give one a try !

I have this Mustang. Had for about a year now. It's never inflated on me. I do take reasonable care to make sure it stays dry, like most all of my stuff. But I've had it in the rain a couple of times with no issues.

[Gilly]

I bought a Cabelas auto-inflated, not certain which model, 3500? Regardless, I do remember the salesperson talking about some of the models not being inflated by wetness but rather water pressure.

[Billfo]

"water pressure" ? Now that something I will check into.. I like that idea much better than "inflate on rain" .Thanks

I bought a Cabelas auto-inflated, not certain which model, 3500? Regardless, I do remember the salesperson talking about some of the models not being inflated by wetness but rather water pressure.

[jeb]

I bought a Cabelas auto-inflated, not certain which model, 3500? Regardless, I do remember the salesperson talking about some of the models not being inflated by wetness but rather water pressure.

Mustang calls that their "HIT" system (Hydrostatic Inflator Technology). We have one of those, too. Mustang with LIFT and HIT. The wife uses that one. It is pretty warm to wear in the summer, though. But they also make the "normal" sized inflatable, like the one I linked in above, with HIT now. Pretty good price increase to get it, though.