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+--- Thread: Small compact inflatble life vests. (/showthread.php?tid=530191)
Small compact inflatble life vests. - Leaky33 - 09-15-2009
I've decided to smarten up and get myself a birthday present, especially with bouncing around on UT. Lake and other shallow reservoirs in high winds. I'm a tuber and am in the market for a "best buy" inexpensive inflatable life vest that I can wear while tubing that ain't going to be big and cumbersome so I can still do my fishing unencumbered, or reasonably so and won't cost me a leg and an arm. Haven't bought one to date because they just don't seem to be very inexpensive and I am short on $. Any suggestions as to sources, brands, etc.??
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - pontoonman - 09-15-2009
Lowest price I've seen in recent times:
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/270281?&cid=chanintel&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=270281
Pon
[quote Leaky33]I've decided to smarten up and get myself a birthday present, especially with bouncing around on UT. Lake and other shallow reservoirs in high winds. I'm a tuber and am in the market for a "best buy" inexpensive inflatable life vest that I can wear while tubing that ain't going to be big and cumbersome so I can still do my fishing unencumbered, or reasonably so and won't cost me a leg and an arm. Haven't bought one to date because they just don't seem to be very inexpensive and I am short on $. Any suggestions as to sources, brands, etc.??[/quote]
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - Leaky33 - 09-16-2009
TubeDude, what is your expert opinion??? [
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Re: [pontoonman] Small compact inflatble life vests. - peter805 - 09-16-2009
$40.00 -thats a deal [
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Re: [peter805] Small compact inflatble life vests. - albinotrout - 09-16-2009
Yes it is, I have never seen them that low.
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Re: [albinotrout] Small compact inflatble life vests. - Illinoisgiller - 09-16-2009
There is really nothing there that should make them high. Good to see the price finally fall into place.
When I bought mine at Cabelas, there wasn't much left of a $100 bill. Illinoisgiller
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - TubeDude - 09-16-2009
[quote Leaky33] TubeDude, what is your expert opinion??? [
][/quote][cool][#0000ff]Well, since you asked...[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have always complied with the regulations for having a PFD on my tube. But, I have always considered it a nuisance. Another case of our officials meddling in our sport, with something that should be a personal choice and which is soooooo unnecessary.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]In the early days of tubing, at least in Utah, the only regulation was that any inflatable craft have at least two air chambers. I took care of that by having a small inner tube inflated in the back pocket section behind me, to use as a backrest. Anytime I got checked by rangers they were satisfied with that. Common sense.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most of today's float tubes are virtually unsinkable. They have either two air chambers, foam seats or inflatable seats and even if the main air chamber suddenly split out on the water the tuber is in no real danger of anything besides getting wet...and/or cold. A PFD is redundant and nonessential.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Most tubers I know carry an approved PFD rolled up and tucked into the space behind their seats...in the pointy tubes many of us use today. That's all it takes to satisfy the rangers if you are checked. But, I also know a few who wear their PFDs at all times, on all waters, fair weather or otherwise. That is their personal choice and I cannot find fault with it. Some have had personal experiences that give them a greater "respect" for the potential dangers of the water. Some doubt their ability to survive and swim in the event of a disaster. No problem.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have been tubing for a LOOOOOOOONG time. My own personal experience is that I have never been even remotely in danger enough to worry about having a PFD. Nor have I ever known anybody who EVER had to rely on one to survive. That does not mean that I might not someday have a situation in which I need a PFD, but the odds are vastly against it. Still, I carry one on every trip...but because it is a law rather than because of any fear I have of danger.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Some other tubers have asked me "What if you get hit with a boat and you are unconscious in the water?" So...what if? You can play "what if" games all day long. What if a meteor fell out of the sky and landed right on top of you in the lake? What if there was a nuclear explosion nearby and it created a tidal wave in the lake and it washed over you? What if a giant tiger muskie came up and chomped a big hole in your float tube?[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]To me, PFDs are like the safety belt in your car. They are designed to help you under a certain range of potential hazards. But, they will not guard you against major disasters. If you are unlucky enough to get hit by a car or boat, you have a lot more to worry about than whether you get tossed out of the car or drown in the water. Yeah, I know. A PFD will keep your body afloat so that your next of kin will have something to put in the casket.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If you are buying a PFD simply to comply with the regulations, there is no need to spend a lot of extra money on an inflatable. But, if you have a genuine concern for your physical abilities to survive in the event you end up in the water, then you should be wearing a PFD whenever you go afloat. And, if comfort is a factor...and it is...you may want to buy the inflatable. If you do, then don't buy cheap. It is better to spend a bit more than you want to than not quite enough. The wrong time to discover you paid too little is when you can't get your PFD to inflate when you need it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You have had some good input and advice. Shop around and you will form an opinion of the make and model PFD you will be comfortable in buying and wearing. Then shop for price. There can be a lot of good deals available both online and through sports outlets...especially this time of year, after the end of the major recreational boating season.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Another bit of advice that has been offered, and with which I completely agree, is to avoid getting an automatic inflation PFD. Since they inflate when they get wet, you risk having them "go off" while tubing if you get wet from waves, sloshing or whatever. Not good.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There. You asked for my input. Sorry I got carried away, but I tend to do that. But, all of the above is only my personal opinion. You will need to make your own decisions for your own reasons. Hope you are able to make a good find. Let us know what you end up with.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Small compact inflatble life vests. - flygoddess - 09-16-2009
Here is one. While fishing a lake, Poky noticed a gentleman in a pontoon.
This was fall so water was cool.
The mans head was tilted down. After a little while, he watched the man roll head first into the water. Seems he fell asleep.
And while the toon was still inflated and no problems there, the man had a heck of a time trying to get back in the seat. ended up kicking to a shore.
Vest would have been nice..ON, but as you say, he managed.
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Re: [flygoddess] Small compact inflatble life vests. - TubeDude - 09-16-2009
[cool][#0000ff]I am sure that there are a lot of scenarios in which a worn PVD might have altered a situation on the positive side. One thing it will never overcome is carelessness, stupidity or completely unforseen accidents.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have had a couple of cases in which my PFD helped others, besides myself. One was a guy who got dumped when a power squadron idiot swamped his small boat...and his (unworn) PFD was trapped inside the upside down boat. He was okay holding on to the side of the boat until he was rescued, but he felt better about having the PFD I tossed him.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]And, talk about far out freaky situations...I was fishing on a cold mid November day on Cherry Creek Reservoir in the middle of Denver. A couple of hot air balloons took off from the parking area and flew low over the lake and then lifted up over the dam and down the other side. The third one took off okay but something went wrong with the propane valve and they quickly lost altitude and dropped onto the cold lake. The basket began to fill with water and sink. I kicked my tube as fast as possible and got there before it was too late. There were two people in the balloon. One did not know how to swim and the other was already suffering from hypothermia. We got my PFD on the lady who could not swim and I held their hands onto the outside of my tube while I got them to shore...just as help arrived. I did not get that PFD back, but I am glad I was there to provide it, and that I had it. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Like I said. I have never even been close to needing one myself. But, I would never advise anybody to go on the water without one.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]As far as the guy dozing off and rolling into the water. I know that can happen. But in a float tube you just drift with the breeze until you wake up. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Another scenario that suggests itself is "medical emergency". Any tuber who has any kind of ailment or condition that could lead to seizures or fainting should really never go on the water alone. And, even if they are with someone they should be wearing their PFD.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Small compact inflatble life vests. - pontoonman - 09-16-2009
Just wanted to add that I periodically test any inflatable life jacket, so that means I order extra cartridges. You don't want to wait for an emergency to figure out the rip cord is inside or that it breaks, or that you can't pull hard enough to puncture the canister or that there is not enough floatation to hold you up. I have no connection to West marine other than having been a very satisfied customer, just thought I would pass on what I thought was quite a bargain.
IF its the law that you must have a PFD for PUBLIC waters and I decide that I will have one, then I will WEAR an inflatable type at all times. Otherwise a PFD is worthless IMHO. Even the "deadliest" catch people use these because they found that deckhands would not wear anything else. That means NO foam type whether fancy or cheap for me, because the bulk is more likely to cause miserable discomfort or mishaps- sweating, dropped lures/ poles due to bumping, no rear view without mirror, etc. Human power floatation devices like tubes were treated like inflatable toys on public waters in most of the south last time I checked- you don't wear a lifejacket with inflatable toys even in public waters. Beside the float tube IS your life jacket with their extremely low failure rate! I don't wear a PFD, or HELMET, bullet vest, etc. by choice in class I rivers without rapids that are no deeper than 2 feet and have never been ticketed. Mostly these are quite remote and the wardens can't figure out what to do about pontoons anyway. Even when using a motor on small lakes, have never received more than an warning.
JMHO
Pon
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Re: [TubeDude] Small compact inflatble life vests. - flygoddess - 09-16-2009
I heard there are sections of the Green that a vest must be worn at all times and that is even wading.....do you know?
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Re: [flygoddess] Small compact inflatble life vests. - TubeDude - 09-16-2009
[quote flygoddess]I heard there are sections of the Green that a vest must be worn at all times and that is even wading.....do you know?[/quote]
[cool][#0000ff]That is not something that is posted in the Utah Fishing Guide (Proclamation). Can't find anything about special regulations for the Green, including the often cited rule that you have to have a pontoon at least 9 feet long and no float tubes. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Also not found in the boating rules and regs (see attached). About the closest I can find, beginning on page 26, is the regulation that all boaters on the whitewater sections must wear their PFDs. Nothing about waders.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Small compact inflatble life vests. - Leaky33 - 09-17-2009
After reading your comments, and others, I got to thinking. I dug out an old PFD vest and wrapped it around the back rest of my fat cat and tightened the straps. It seemed to provide even better a better back rest and I would assume better flotation to the tube in an emergency. I can't, however vouch for the ease of removal in an emergency.[frown] What do you think? Will this keep the fish cops in Ut. and Idaho off my back? Also, If I happened to hae a blow out, big leak or get dunked in my waders and fins and they fill up with water, will I be able to use the tube, styrafoam, life vest combo to tread water back to shore if I'm in reasonable shape for my "old age"? Take a look at your crystal ball and give me an opinion as to doing this vs, an inflatable vest. I'm strongly leaning to doing this as an alternative to those damned inflatables. [
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - albinotrout - 09-17-2009
By attaching it to your tube you are filling the requirement of having a PFD with you. Now filling the waders with water I don't know since I have never tried it and don't really want to either.[
] If putting it on your seat makes it more comfortable for you, then do that. I keep mine (an NAFC stearns) on my pontoon rack for when I need it next.[signature]
Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - MaDFisher55 - 09-17-2009
Keep in mind you have Fins on also. As a former diver I can tread water in fins for a long time. This has nothing to do with having a PFD with you but its another thought as weather you feel safe or not. If Hypothermia sets in if you are in very cold water and theres no one to pull you out or your too far to swim to shore, well then the PFD will keep your body afloat till some one finds it.
This is why in diving you never dive alone. You always have a buddy system. Being alone on the water scares me more than anything else that could go wrong. If Im fishing alone, Im on the shore.
Just my personal opinion.
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - flygoddess - 09-17-2009
If waders fill up with water, (and I suggest tighten that belt at all times to slow this down) it isn't adding any more weight to you as long as you are in the water. It is not cement and pull you under. It will only be heavier when you get out.
But heck, wet Levis do that as well.
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Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - TubeDude - 09-17-2009
[cool][#0000ff]Attaching the PFD to your seat DOES fulfill the requirements of state regulations. On the few occasions I have been checked for having one, I was never asked how easy it is to get to or how it is attached to my tube. As long as they see one in or on your tube your are okay.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]You have foam seats. With the addition of a PFD around the back seat your tube is even more of a "life saver" in the event you lose air or slip in the water. And...as has been pointed out...when you are wearing fins you have a lot more propulsion than if you were to fall in the water without fins. Just to satisfy my own curiousity I once wore waders into the water while wearing fins, and let the waders fill up. Then I laid over on my back and kicked with the fins. I could move quite fast, even with the waders full of water...and my head and shoulders were well above the water.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]If all else fails, and if you get in trouble, you can always have Sparky go get Lassie.[/#0000ff]
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Re: [TubeDude] Small compact inflatble life vests. - Leaky33 - 09-18-2009
I did the PFD around the back rest bit and it worked just fine. Am going with this solution since it seems to satisfy all my concerns, the law and doesn't cost me a nickel. The only thing I should probably do is wear a belt around the waist of my chest waders to minimize water infiltration into the legs and feet/fins area. If I go over board. If I keep my cool, I'm sure I can detach the vest from the float tube and put it on if necessary. As someone else pointed out, at least they would be able to find the body that way. [laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh] Thanks for all the input guys,I appreciate the common sense and candor without all the hype on advertised safety and public safety hype. [
]P.S. Had a great time catching about 7-10 LM in the 13- 15" range with a lot smaller in my "little secret spot" that I can't give up. Sorry, I know this aggravates some but as Grandma used to say "das how's are". [
] No pic.s again. One of these days I'm going to risk taking the camera out snd vstch onr of thee big boyw in q jump. [shocked][signature]
Re: [Leaky33] Small compact inflatble life vests. - michaelnel - 09-18-2009
I have this one from Cabelas:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0043183943617a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=inflatable+pfd&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1
I wear it because I cannot swim. I also think that if you managed to slip out of your tube, the tube might well squirt away from you to where you cannot grab it, so you wouldn't be able to use it or anything in it for floatation.
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Re: [michaelnel] Small compact inflatble life vests. - pontoonman - 09-18-2009
[quote michaelnel]I have this one from Cabelas:
[url "http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0043183943617a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH_all&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&Ntk=Products&QueryText=inflatable+pfd&sort=all&Go.y=0&_D%3AhasJS=+&N=0&Nty=1&hasJS=true&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.form23&Go.x=0&_dyncharset=ISO-8859-1"]http://www.cabelas.com/...yncharset=ISO-8859-1[/url]
I wear it because I cannot swim. I also think that if you managed to slip out of your tube, the tube might well squirt away from you to where you cannot grab it, so you wouldn't be able to use it or anything in it for floatation.[/quote]
Glad Leaky found a no cost solution to his life vest that was adequate for him.
Inflatable life vests also have a manual inflation tube as a backup in case the canister mechanism doesn't work. That method can also be use to test without the expense of a canister.
To me, a life vest is a lot like a safety belt on a car. Just because a safety belt is in the car doesn't necessarily make it useful if you're not strapped in. Even when you wear the safety belt, it may not do any good, or even be a hinderance to getting out, or keep you from being thrown clear in an accident. But it is pretty hard to put it on after the fact for the rare situations where you had needed it. I wear a safety belt while driving even though I have NEVER needed it once in 45 years of driving! So I can see where michelnet is coming from- they may find your floating tube and have to bury it instead of your body after an accident. [shocked]
Pon
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