Self inflating life vests

johnnie crain outdoors · Fri Feb 23, 2007 8:59 am

Conley, did you mention once you wear a self inflating life vest. I'm looking for information on them-where to get-cost etc. Anyone else have one? Thanks, Johnnie

carl · Post by **carl** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 5:24 am

Hope you get some feed back, since I plan to buy one this year. Carl

hawg hunter · Post by **hawg hunter** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 6:54 pm

I'm also in the market for a self inflating vest. All the vests I've found are around $150-$200 dollars. This seems like a lot now, but I guess if you ever splash in the water $200 is a small price to pay. I'd like some feedback from fishermen that have them. Which brands, how much, etc.

Thanks,

Robert

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 7:22 am

Sorry Guys I have been gone out of town for the last few days. Took the wife on a little trip to see George Straight at the Houston Rodeo. Had a great time.

Yes we purchased two of the self inflating life vest back in January. Man I can't believe we have not purchased one sooner. We got the XPS brand from Bass Pro Shop. (which is made for them by MUSTANG) Love it!! It has neoprean around the collar so that it is really comfortable. I believe they are on sale right now for $129 reg price is $149, check the web site. I will say that it is one of the most comfortable life vest that we have ever worn. My wife is only 4' 11" so any vest we got her was rubbing her neck raw by the end of the day. These things are small enough that it does not bother her at all. I highly recomend it. Check you local boating laws too. We found out here that the only way it can be considered a life vest is when you have it on! If you are not wearing it you still have to have regular life vest in the boat. Makes since because the only way for it to work is to have it on! We got the automatic ones that inflate if you fall in. You could save a little money by purchasing the ones that are not automatic but then if you are thrown from the boat and knocked out how are you going to inflate it? Thats why we went with the auto's!

It is comfortable enough to wear all day long and not even know its there.

Hope that helps yall out!! Feel free to ask any more questions that I might not have covered.

johnnie crain outdoors · Mon Mar 05, 2007 8:43 pm

Good info Conley. One question-does it keep you face up-head out of the water? I agree, only the self inflats should be used, more than likely if i go out of the boat I'll be unconsious. Johnnie

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Tue Mar 06, 2007 6:17 am

Yes the way it inflates will keep your head out of the water.

Capn jack duggins · Post by **Capn jack duggins** » Wed Mar 07, 2007 12:25 pm

I bought one of the vests you have to pull the handle/cord for my Dad last Christmas. He is 72 and fishes Lake Powell where the "shoreline" can be a 200foot high wall and getting to dry land could take a whole day!
He loves it!

I have heard that if you are cruising along in a heavy rain, the auto-vests have inflated scaring the bageesus out of someone!

I'll be getting two for my boat this Spring, but they will be manual.

The ones I have been using are the Stearns "comfort series" and they are a very close second as far as comfort goes! Just an option for the guys who can't afford inflatables.

mofish · Post by **mofish** » Thu Mar 08, 2007 6:28 am

I addressed the problem of going off in the rain with the man at BPS. The way they are made now (new Versions) it is going to have to be a very heavy down pour for it to go off. But as with everything else there are drawbacks to each. I will just choose to wear my regular life vest in the rain and the other when its not just to be safe.
Thanks for pointing that out Capt Jack.