09-16-2009, 05:55 PM
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
[signature]
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
[signature]