Inflatable PFD's

Posted By: David Meredith C19-II Archimedes
Date: 11/9/08 7:29p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

In Response To: Sometimes you can find lots of two... (Craig Cavanah, P-19 #1523, "AM TOO", Ventura County, CA)

The monthly article by "Max Ebb" in the November Latitude 38 contains a contrarian opinion on inflatable PFD's. The author points out the small but non-vanishing possibility of failure and recommends using a conventional fisherman's PFD with lots of pockets. I have both the fisherman's PFD and an inflatable. The pockets in the fisherman's vest are convenient, and it's warm enough to allow me to do without a jacket some days. However the inflatable is more comfortable. Two things to watch for when buying an inflatable PFD. Newer, more expensive models have inflators that are not subject to being triggered if you get splashed by a wave; older models were reported to sometimes inflate when they got wet. Also (for more money), you can purchase inflatable pfd's that double as harnesses for attaching a tether to keep you aboard.