Exploding life jackets

[5bites]

Who else wears these? I love mine expect when I'm trying to put it on with a coat. Then it's like trying to put on an angry drunk monkey. I thought about getting my kids some but they're rated for 16yo and up only.

Anyway I've been happily wearing this thing since I got it for my birthday a few years ago. Then the John Cox incident happens where his nor his observers jacket exploded and they're both lucky to be alive after the ranger they were in decided to changed directions for no apparent reason.

[jdmidwest]

I wear an inflatable when duck hunting sometimes, but mostly wear a regular PFD. I am always worried that I may not be able to pull the cord.

[rps]

Once we have comfortable weather (now) I switch to an inflatable. I wear a PFD 100% of the time in my boat. I do not swim worth ... I nearly failed to graduate from college because of the 100 yard swimming requirement left over from the Lusitania days.

If it doesn't work, it was fate. In the mean time, I have one on.

[Gatorjet]

My only problem is incidental inflation. I've bought enough recharge kits to buy a couple top of the line non inflatable PFD's I learned to not leave it stored in the boat because there could be enough humidity to cause moisture significant enough to discharge. Once it was just laying on the deck in the driveway in hot sun on a humid day. I came out of the house to find it opened up. Now I store it in a boat bag with the bottle unscrewed, and the cup covering the little melting disc unscrewed as well as to not trigger it.

[Kelroy]

Our entire office has switched over from the dissolving-disk type to the new pressure-sensor type. They cost a bit more, but so far in annual testing they rate 100% reliable, plus there have been zero accidental inflations. When we first got inflatables years ago, we had an epidemic of unintended inflations ranging from storing them next to wet waders, wading an inch too deep, and getting the manual cord snagged in the brush.

Another good point is that the inflatables will absolutely float you face-up if you are unconscious. Many fishing/ski vests have more foam in the back, which can roll an unconscious person face-down.

[5bites]

That is very good and appreciated information.