Pfd's ?

bassn1 · March 04, 2012, 08:56:16 PM

What do you own? Are the H.I.T. inflatables Worth the extra money? I have heard the others suddenly inflate in a hard rainstorm. Is this your experience. Or are these just stories to get us to pay an additional $100 for the H.I.T.?

Cabellas and BPS has theirs on sale and I am looking to upgrade from the vest style. But I would like to get a little more information from those of you who have more experience with the inflatables than I.
Thank You

gillrod2728 · March 05, 2012, 12:26:53 AM

I use the bass pro one thats on sale for 79 bucks and I have made it through several 8 hour tournament days where it has completley poured down the rain and it has never made it inflate..

Donald Garner · March 05, 2012, 03:53:04 PM

I use the BPS self inflatables and so far haven't had any issues with them.

bassn1 · March 05, 2012, 05:02:14 PM

Thank You guys. How long have you been using them? And are they comfortable enought to wear all day?

copnjax · March 05, 2012, 06:31:38 PM

Yes sir, you won't even know you have it on. I wear one in my kayak all day but, mine isn't the automatic type......mine inflates with the pull of a ripcord.

TNDiver · March 05, 2012, 08:04:11 PM

A friend of mine that is a Sheriff had one go off in a rain storm. Not sure of the brand.

Mike Cork · March 26, 2012, 06:37:43 PM

I run both the bass pro version and the mustangs. I have had the BPS version go off twice, neither because of rain though. First time - I opened the rod locker where I keep them and it was inflated? It appeared that the pull cord was stuck on something and the drive home had a few pot holes. Pull cord ops check good. The second time it was laying in the bottom of the boat, Laurie netted a large bass for me and drug it over the jacket. The water falling from the fish and jacket hit it perfectly and exploded, scared the crap out of both of us, thought I just caught a 6 pounder so full of eggs she popped

I wouldn't be afraid to recommend the BPS version. The mustang is very nice and comfortable as well but three times as much.

BTW new cartridges for the BPS are only 14 dollars. Mustangs are like 35

bassn1 · March 26, 2012, 06:58:23 PM

Thank You everyone. I am making adecision soon. BPS and Cabellas both have theirs for sale.

Smallie_Stalker · March 28, 2012, 05:08:52 PM

I have two things that I would like to add. No matter what brand you decide to go with, do yourself a favor and get one that is auto-inflatable. I know someone who went overboard, banged his head and it knocked him out cold. He was wearing the Mustang brand which rolls you over on your back automatically so your face can't go into the water thus preventing drowning. Many other brands of auto-inflatables do this as well but I am not sure about either BPS or Cabela's. Maybe you could call their customer service numbers and ask.
Another thing you need to be aware of is the overall buoyancy that the vest provides. For every 100 pounds you weigh on land you only weigh five pounds in the water. Most inflatable PFD's come in either 22 lbs. (which covers an adult who is just over 400 lbs.) or 35 lbs. of buoyancy (which would cover someone up to an amazing 700 lbs.)

That may seem like excess but it could come in handy if you have to help out another person in the water who isn't wearing a vest.

bassn1 · March 28, 2012, 07:22:29 PM

Very imformative post. Thank You for chiming in.

spetro · April 01, 2012, 03:37:21 PM

Check out this comparison report
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http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/082000c.htm

bassn1 · April 01, 2012, 09:31:53 PM

Thanks. I enjoyed the read. Too bad they didn't test the BPS or Cabellas brand.

TNDiver · April 02, 2012, 08:47:24 AM

It raised an important point I had not thought of, insulation. While this may not be an issue in populated and/or warmer waters, it would in larger lakes up north, such as the Great Lakes. Especially if it takes some time to find someone in the water. Something to think about. I also wondered, what is the time from hitting the water to surface in regular pfd's if these take about 5 seconds?

bassn1 · April 02, 2012, 02:10:20 PM

I would think it depends on what force you hit the water with. IE - A lot of force you would go under only so far. Fall overboard with minimum force you are on top immediately. JMUO

TNDiver · April 02, 2012, 06:51:26 PM

Hey Mike,

You should put together a blue ribbon panel to test new equipment. I think we should get a bunch of these pfd's head to a Hawaii and test how well these things work! Whaddya say!