Thread: Inflatable life jackets?

Manual or Auto Folks?

My2c worth.
If you go over either from a boat or the rocks, and smack your head in the process, then a manually activated life jacket is not as likely to save you as auto

Originally Posted by Pengy

My2c worth.
If you go over either from a boat or the rocks, and smack your head in the process, then a manually activated life jacket is not as likely to save you as auto

My thoughts too, although I just had a sales man (who didn't have the one in stock that I wanted) tell me if im under the boat and it auto inflates I might get stuck... Catch 22?

So im curious as to what others though...

The flip side with auto is if you are continually getting wet that it may inflate when you don't want it to. Then it is the breathalyser test to fill it when you need to which would be worse than a manual version. So it largely depends on what you will be doing and what the craft is like. For a kayak the recommendation is non inflatable.

I use a manual for the boat. Looked at an auto but the potential of it inflating when I got out of the boat to sort out a net was too high.
I would use either in a kayak or similar, I'm usually to busy grabbing other stuff floating away to be wanting to worry about having to inflate a vest as well

I've read an article about PFD's and kayaks by Rob Fort I think. He advised against any inflatable jackets on kayaks, and suggested the neoprene type. He said you will fall out often, either launching, fighting a fish or landing, and a 'proper' jacket means you can jump back in the yak and carry on. The others could mean your trip was over, or needed a recharge

I have manual for adults and vest type for kids.

Sent from my SM-G800Y using Tapatalk

When doing a bar crossing course the coast guard all had inflatable life jackets, they said when doing their annual maintenance on the lifejackets they inflate them and leave them overnight to see if there are any leaks, every year they have about 10% fail. I bet most boaties wouldn't be doing checks that often, I wouldn't be surprised if a much higher percentage are wearing jackets with potential leaks in them. Im happy with my old school jacket, at least I can be 100% sure it will float if I fall in.

Manual. If you trip and fall in 2 inches of water, you don't want it going off.

And burnsco have them at $84 with members card at the mo.

Originally Posted by berg243

both have pros and cons the auto ones I know that have gone off usually after the wearer has got out of the water as most people I know fall in at the wharf or at a beach .I have manual ones from when I worked as a deckhand as we were always getting splashed so you didn't want them going off under your wet weather gear.any lifejacket is better than nothing.

Do not wear an inflatable life jacket under your wet weather gear. You can't get to it if needed (manual) & if it does go of there is nowhere for it to expand. Makes breathing difficult.

Manual or auto depends on the use. If there is a strong likelihood you're going to end up in the water (kayak or bar crossings) I'd go old school.

Food for thought.
Why is there no NZ standard for life jackets/flotation devices ?

Bit confusing when looking to safeguard ones self and family

@Pengy, there is mate.
Lifejackets | Water Safety New Zealand

[QUOTE=ROKTOY;599942]@Pengy, there is mate.
[url=http://www.watersafety.org.nz/resources

Very interesting. I have never seen a notice on a lifejacket or PFD to this effect.

Originally Posted by Pengy

Very interesting. I have never seen a notice on a lifejacket or PFD to this effect.

Pretty sure the ones we have do.