Inflatable PFD - Manual or Auto?

Josh

Josh

Dead in the water
Staff member
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Yes, yes. This is similar to a post I already made.

But I'm genuinely interested. Do people use manual or automatic inflatable PFDs?

On the one hand, it seems like a no-brainer to use the automatic ones. Gives you the backup in case you have a medical event or are knocked unconscious from an accident of some sort.

On the other hand, I don't boat in much "big water" and don't own a boat that could go fast if I wanted to. If I fall in the water, it's almost assuredly going to be because I tripped or leaned too far over to take a piss or something. And it'll be in 10 feet of 65 degree water. Plus, if you get one of the high end hydrostatic auto vests, that's an easy $70-80 mistake if you fall into the water and it goes off.

But then again, if I am awake enough to be able to pull the manual level, I can probably swim just fine until I can get back in the boat. So what use is a manual inflatable vest?

For the record, if I get an auto one, it'll be the Mustang hydrostatic version that won't go off unless it's actually submerged in 4-6" of water.
 
I use two Mustangs - a manual pull for solo skiff fishing lakes, and the one you posted anytime I'm in the salt where shit tends to go sideways a whole lot faster. When I was still rowing driftboats an NRS Ninja style was the choice, with a minimal profile and adequate flotation.
 
Automatic. Just in case I hit my head on the gunnel on the way out. I don't have a hydrostatic vest, just your standard $100ish auto inflating life vest. Have been out in torrential downpours no issues. Re arm kit is around $25.
 
I think that mustang sounds good. Shit gets weird even on small water. I've trolled Terrell in a 14ft aluminum that was oar powered and can confirm its bigger than that looks. If you dump out there with your trolling motor going even you could be in trouble. You're not gonna catch a moving boat, and there is lots of grabby aquatic veg out there. Could fall and hit a log and get knocked out even at a slow speed.

If that one doesnt pop until its 4" deep, is there a manual deployment option? That would make it suitable for wading the river too, which I've been looking into wearing myself.
 
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Pink Nighty said:
If that one doesnt pop until its 4ft deep
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Should deploy in 4-6 inches. The idea is to keep it from going off in the rain, humid storage locker, or a puddle in the bottom of the boat.

But yeah, all of the auto vests seem to have a manual pull as well.
 
SurfnFish said:
When I was still rowing driftboats an NRS Ninja style was the choice, with a minimal profile and adequate flotation.
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Just to be clear, if I were ever on moving water I'd be wearing my NRS Chinook. Heck, I'll probably wear the Chinook even on a lake in the kayak just for the gear storage pockets.
 
Pink Nighty said:
That would make it suitable for wading the river too, which I've been looking into wearing myself.
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That's actually an interesting thought. On the river is one place where you absolutely might be conscious and able to manually inflate AND actually want to do so.
 
Josh said:
Should deploy in 4-6 inches. The idea is to keep it from going off in the rain, humid storage locker, or a puddle in the bottom of the boat.

But yeah, all of the auto vests seem to have a manual pull as well.
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Yah I caught that too late! I'm prettier than I am smart
 
Josh said:
That's actually an interesting thought. On the river is one place where you absolutely might be conscious and able to manually inflate AND actually want to do so.
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Do you find that NRS Chinook bulky at all? Like enough to inhibit a double spey? I just looked at it and that looks pretty great for the price
 
Pink Nighty said:
Do you find that NRS Chinook bulky at all? Like enough to inhibit a double spey? I just looked at it and that looks pretty great for the price
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I haven't ever tried to spey cast with it. But the the chest "pods" do add some bulk for sure. My father in law's chinook should be your size, I should swipe it sometime and you could give casting in it a try.
 
The Chinook vest is great and I wear it when I'm in my kayak. But the front padding is similar to a chest pack and I wouldn't wear either if I was going to be speycasting.
 
Josh said:
I haven't ever tried to spey cast with it. But the the chest "pods" do add some bulk for sure. My father in law's chinook should be your size, I should swipe it sometime and you could give casting in it a try.
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Sounds good! I'll be going pretty hard this weekend if you're available. I've worn a chest pack quite a bit while spey casting, dont love it but it's definitely doable
 
On an open boat I'm a fan of auto. As Jon mentioned, never know when you'll hit your head or find yourself in a situation where you aren't thinking clearly or can't physically pull the cord quickly.

The only time I am not into autos is on larger pilot house style boats where one could potentially get trapped in a cabin filling with water in the event of a rollover, in which case your PFD inflating could potentially prevent you from getting out.

When I went overboard offshore years ago I was wearing a manual. I was in the water less than a minute and never ended up pulling the cord. Luckily I didn't need to, but considering the way I fell I could have easily hit my head and knocked myself out. I did, at one point, think to myself that I had better pull the cord as I was getting swept away from the boat, and I was in the process of trying when I was pulled back to the boat. I will say that physically pulling that cord when wearing rain gear and such isn't as easy as it sounds.
 
A PFD comes in very handy when S%$t goes sideways. It is meant to save your life when you need the most help and under worst circumstances. I would prefer an automated inflate version because the worst case scenario is when someone gets knocked out. When one goes over, between the shock of cold water, the panic that can set in quickly and the likely unfamiliarity of the location and use of the manual handle IMHO too much risk when help is needed the most.

@Nick Clayton ---> great point about being in a cabin/below deck!!!

Plan for the worst and hope for the best!
 
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Nick Clayton said:
The only time I am not into autos is on larger pilot house style boats where one could potentially get trapped in a cabin filling with water in the event of a rollover, in which case your PFD inflating could potentially prevent you from getting out.
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Wouldn't a traditional foam PFD have the same risk?
 
Josh said:
Wouldn't a traditional foam PFD have the same risk?
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Yeah, pretty much. But other than kids that are small enough to require a type 1, I don't know of anyone spending time on a pilot house boat without an inflatable. It's 2022, who wears type 1s? ;)

Ultimately it's about mitigating risk as best one can, and choices must be made. Personally I view a roll over as a relatively large risk, (emohasis on relatively of course. While I am confident in my abilities and the boat I run, it can definitely happen and fast) when on the ocean. If I fall overboard and get knocked unconscious in the process, there are others onboard who would at least have a chance to rescue me. If my boat rolls over and I am trapped inside, not sure what the immediate rescue chances are.

Just my way of looking at it.
 
Pink Nighty said:
You're not gonna catch a moving boat, and there is lots of grabby aquatic veg out there. Could fall and hit a log and get knocked out even at a slow speed.
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This is true, don't trolling motors have safety lanyard?

I've always used manual pulls. But, you guys are getting me thinking about an automatic inflation for the salt.
 
Pink Nighty said:
Do you find that NRS Chinook bulky at all? Like enough to inhibit a double spey? I just looked at it and that looks pretty great for the price
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I have fished in the NRS Chinook. I wear it when I'm in my own boat on the rivers. It's a little bulky. I bought a second one for my son. I kind of prefer foam PFD on the river over a inflatable. But, that's just my opinion
 
Sam Roffe said:
This is true, don't trolling motors have safety lanyard?

I've always used manual pulls. But, you guys are getting me thinking about an automatic inflation for the salt.
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They may, however mine does not and I wouldnt be able to wear it while bass fishing on the trolling motor without killing it all the time
 
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