New PFD? Anyone have any comments?

[Wild Dingo]

Gidday Ive just recieved an email about the newest thing in PFDs from:

http://www.seapromarine.com

For all intents and purposes it seems to be a bobby dazzler... but what do others think?

Take it easy
Shane

[Wild Dingo]

Gidday Ive just recieved an email about the newest thing in PFDs from:

http://www.seapromarine.com

For all intents and purposes it seems to be a bobby dazzler... but what do others think?

Take it easy
Shane

[Wild Dingo]

Gidday Ive just recieved an email about the newest thing in PFDs from:

http://www.seapromarine.com

For all intents and purposes it seems to be a bobby dazzler... but what do others think?

Take it easy
Shane

[Donn]

Ahoy Shane...Howzit?

I like the vest type better, because you don't have to do anything else when it opens. The waist belt and waist pack models have to be brought over the head after they pop.

Price-wise, they look similar to SOSpenders and Mustangs.

Donn

[Donn]

Ahoy Shane...Howzit?

I like the vest type better, because you don't have to do anything else when it opens. The waist belt and waist pack models have to be brought over the head after they pop.

Price-wise, they look similar to SOSpenders and Mustangs.

Donn

[Donn]

Ahoy Shane...Howzit?

I like the vest type better, because you don't have to do anything else when it opens. The waist belt and waist pack models have to be brought over the head after they pop.

Price-wise, they look similar to SOSpenders and Mustangs.

Donn

[NormMessinger]

I like the one in blue, just ever so little excess bouyancy in just the right places.

--N smile.gif R M

[NormMessinger]

I like the one in blue, just ever so little excess bouyancy in just the right places.

--N smile.gif R M

[NormMessinger]

I like the one in blue, just ever so little excess bouyancy in just the right places.

--N smile.gif R M

[Roger Stouff]

Could you get one that's also one of those electric tummy muscle exercisers?

[Roger Stouff]

Could you get one that's also one of those electric tummy muscle exercisers?

[Roger Stouff]

Could you get one that's also one of those electric tummy muscle exercisers?

[Hugh Paterson]

Dont lets go their Roger, I somtimes sneak a go with my wifes tummy exerciser, pity the mugs that end up in a chair with juice flowing through them, when you turn the voltage up on these things their is a hell of a kick in them, or maybe I am just a pussy :(
Shuggie

[Hugh Paterson]

Dont lets go their Roger, I somtimes sneak a go with my wifes tummy exerciser, pity the mugs that end up in a chair with juice flowing through them, when you turn the voltage up on these things their is a hell of a kick in them, or maybe I am just a pussy :(
Shuggie

[Hugh Paterson]

Dont lets go their Roger, I somtimes sneak a go with my wifes tummy exerciser, pity the mugs that end up in a chair with juice flowing through them, when you turn the voltage up on these things their is a hell of a kick in them, or maybe I am just a pussy :(
Shuggie

[Tom Dugan]

Sounds like the same thing the PTs used on my quadriceps after I hyperextended my knee. I swear the sadistic one turned it up too high on purpose. It activates and relaxes the muscle cyclically, which gave me plenty of time to dread the next "on" cycle. But we digress...

And anyway, do you really want to have one of those turned on while you're in the water?

If I were me, I'd stick with a PFD that keeps my head above water if I'm knocked unconscious. But that's just my preference for breathing.

-T

[Tom Dugan]

Sounds like the same thing the PTs used on my quadriceps after I hyperextended my knee. I swear the sadistic one turned it up too high on purpose. It activates and relaxes the muscle cyclically, which gave me plenty of time to dread the next "on" cycle. But we digress...

And anyway, do you really want to have one of those turned on while you're in the water?

If I were me, I'd stick with a PFD that keeps my head above water if I'm knocked unconscious. But that's just my preference for breathing.

-T

[Tom Dugan]

Sounds like the same thing the PTs used on my quadriceps after I hyperextended my knee. I swear the sadistic one turned it up too high on purpose. It activates and relaxes the muscle cyclically, which gave me plenty of time to dread the next "on" cycle. But we digress...

And anyway, do you really want to have one of those turned on while you're in the water?

If I were me, I'd stick with a PFD that keeps my head above water if I'm knocked unconscious. But that's just my preference for breathing.

-T

[Biofish]

They need to make one of these for my boat.. I am having trouble convincing myself that this thing is gonna float when i am done. Instead of keeping my head out of the water maybe it can keep the engine out of the water. After all the work i have put into this thing, i rather the Coast guard rescue chopper pull the boat out of the water before they pull me out.

Rob

[Biofish]

They need to make one of these for my boat.. I am having trouble convincing myself that this thing is gonna float when i am done. Instead of keeping my head out of the water maybe it can keep the engine out of the water. After all the work i have put into this thing, i rather the Coast guard rescue chopper pull the boat out of the water before they pull me out.

Rob

[Biofish]

They need to make one of these for my boat.. I am having trouble convincing myself that this thing is gonna float when i am done. Instead of keeping my head out of the water maybe it can keep the engine out of the water. After all the work i have put into this thing, i rather the Coast guard rescue chopper pull the boat out of the water before they pull me out.

Rob

[Wild Wassa]

Hi Sailor, The PFD does not seem to take into account that, the seaman is not always conscious or uninjured.

The full vests and the 'automatic' self inflating PFDs do, this new PFD trusts that people do not get hurt at any stage, and end in the water, head and face up. This surprises me. Am I not reading the characteristics of the PFD correctly?

I have been looking at new vests, for the coming season, only 3 months away (Big snow week this week, roll on Spring!). I want a self inflating, the manual self inflatings, are well priced, compaired to the autos, or does this defeat the purpose. Any further thoughts or experience would be appreciated.

I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.

Warren.

ps, Question 6 on the site, I think the manufacturer shot him self in the foot. This product can not be compaired to vests, to score points. This is a swimming aid, like a floaty.

[ 06-28-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Hi Sailor, The PFD does not seem to take into account that, the seaman is not always conscious or uninjured.

The full vests and the 'automatic' self inflating PFDs do, this new PFD trusts that people do not get hurt at any stage, and end in the water, head and face up. This surprises me. Am I not reading the characteristics of the PFD correctly?

I have been looking at new vests, for the coming season, only 3 months away (Big snow week this week, roll on Spring!). I want a self inflating, the manual self inflatings, are well priced, compaired to the autos, or does this defeat the purpose. Any further thoughts or experience would be appreciated.

I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.

Warren.

ps, Question 6 on the site, I think the manufacturer shot him self in the foot. This product can not be compaired to vests, to score points. This is a swimming aid, like a floaty.

[ 06-28-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Hi Sailor, The PFD does not seem to take into account that, the seaman is not always conscious or uninjured.

The full vests and the 'automatic' self inflating PFDs do, this new PFD trusts that people do not get hurt at any stage, and end in the water, head and face up. This surprises me. Am I not reading the characteristics of the PFD correctly?

I have been looking at new vests, for the coming season, only 3 months away (Big snow week this week, roll on Spring!). I want a self inflating, the manual self inflatings, are well priced, compaired to the autos, or does this defeat the purpose. Any further thoughts or experience would be appreciated.

I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.

Warren.

ps, Question 6 on the site, I think the manufacturer shot him self in the foot. This product can not be compaired to vests, to score points. This is a swimming aid, like a floaty.

[ 06-28-2002, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Wild Wassa:
I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.I'd disagree with that statement re: Sospenders (since I own one w/harness).

Check out the Mustang "Airforce" range of inflatable PFDS (http://www.mustangsurvival.com/)

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/images/products/MD3032_13.gif

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/catalog/SingleProduct.asp?ProductID=192

I should have bought one. They are more expensive than Sospenders, but they fit better, they lay flatter against the body (especially around the neck) and they are better made -- especially in the way the safety harness is constructed.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Wild Wassa:
I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.I'd disagree with that statement re: Sospenders (since I own one w/harness).

Check out the Mustang "Airforce" range of inflatable PFDS (http://www.mustangsurvival.com/)

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/images/products/MD3032_13.gif

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/catalog/SingleProduct.asp?ProductID=192

I should have bought one. They are more expensive than Sospenders, but they fit better, they lay flatter against the body (especially around the neck) and they are better made -- especially in the way the safety harness is constructed.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by Wild Wassa:
I want a small first class vest, and recharger. SOSpenders are they the top of the line for quality? The site questions the reliability of self inflating PFDs.I'd disagree with that statement re: Sospenders (since I own one w/harness).

Check out the Mustang "Airforce" range of inflatable PFDS (http://www.mustangsurvival.com/)

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/images/products/MD3032_13.gif

http://www.mustangsurvival.com/catalog/SingleProduct.asp?ProductID=192

I should have bought one. They are more expensive than Sospenders, but they fit better, they lay flatter against the body (especially around the neck) and they are better made -- especially in the way the safety harness is constructed.

[NormMessinger]

The thing that puzzles me about these is that the auto inflating models are not recommended for non-swimmers while the manual inflated ones are. Why?

And why must the auto ones be worn to count while the manual ones need not be?

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

The thing that puzzles me about these is that the auto inflating models are not recommended for non-swimmers while the manual inflated ones are. Why?

And why must the auto ones be worn to count while the manual ones need not be?

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

The thing that puzzles me about these is that the auto inflating models are not recommended for non-swimmers while the manual inflated ones are. Why?

And why must the auto ones be worn to count while the manual ones need not be?

--Norm

[Pelican]

I got the wife and I each a Mustang and we really like them. Just hope it spends it's entire life hanging in the wheelhouse smile.gif

[Pelican]

I got the wife and I each a Mustang and we really like them. Just hope it spends it's entire life hanging in the wheelhouse smile.gif

[Pelican]

I got the wife and I each a Mustang and we really like them. Just hope it spends it's entire life hanging in the wheelhouse smile.gif

[Wild Wassa]

Nicholas, on Seamarinepro's site there was a comment saying their new inflating system was more reliable than the 'industry's standards'. That was the impression that I got from their site. That's why I was questioning it. I was of the impression that SOSpenders were the Competitive Sailor's 'state of the art'. Donn gave a reference to Mustang as well. Thankyou both.

Pelican, cheers as well Mate. Mustang's seem very popular. I have not seen the Mustang site yet.

Norm, it makes me wonder too. It almost sounds like an admittance of system failure. These are the same things that I'm wondering about. The benefits of manually inflating the vest/harness seem very practical, it's the time when you can't inflate that's the drama, again that would be injury. I know of a chap who was electrocuted on his boat, and fell overboard. He was in a bad way and the vest saved his life. There was no way he could have manually inflated the vest. Then, a small dinghy sailor, can go over often, making the manually inflated vest, perfect. You get to make the choice. My vest is fine but hot on windless days. I am looking for a cooler vest with minimum bulk.

Warren.

[ 06-29-2002, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Nicholas, on Seamarinepro's site there was a comment saying their new inflating system was more reliable than the 'industry's standards'. That was the impression that I got from their site. That's why I was questioning it. I was of the impression that SOSpenders were the Competitive Sailor's 'state of the art'. Donn gave a reference to Mustang as well. Thankyou both.

Pelican, cheers as well Mate. Mustang's seem very popular. I have not seen the Mustang site yet.

Norm, it makes me wonder too. It almost sounds like an admittance of system failure. These are the same things that I'm wondering about. The benefits of manually inflating the vest/harness seem very practical, it's the time when you can't inflate that's the drama, again that would be injury. I know of a chap who was electrocuted on his boat, and fell overboard. He was in a bad way and the vest saved his life. There was no way he could have manually inflated the vest. Then, a small dinghy sailor, can go over often, making the manually inflated vest, perfect. You get to make the choice. My vest is fine but hot on windless days. I am looking for a cooler vest with minimum bulk.

Warren.

[ 06-29-2002, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Nicholas, on Seamarinepro's site there was a comment saying their new inflating system was more reliable than the 'industry's standards'. That was the impression that I got from their site. That's why I was questioning it. I was of the impression that SOSpenders were the Competitive Sailor's 'state of the art'. Donn gave a reference to Mustang as well. Thankyou both.

Pelican, cheers as well Mate. Mustang's seem very popular. I have not seen the Mustang site yet.

Norm, it makes me wonder too. It almost sounds like an admittance of system failure. These are the same things that I'm wondering about. The benefits of manually inflating the vest/harness seem very practical, it's the time when you can't inflate that's the drama, again that would be injury. I know of a chap who was electrocuted on his boat, and fell overboard. He was in a bad way and the vest saved his life. There was no way he could have manually inflated the vest. Then, a small dinghy sailor, can go over often, making the manually inflated vest, perfect. You get to make the choice. My vest is fine but hot on windless days. I am looking for a cooler vest with minimum bulk.

Warren.

[ 06-29-2002, 02:21 AM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Foster Price]

Hello Guys

Head down to your local Fishermans Co-op, or where-ever they buy their gear, I recently got a auto-inflating, same as the fishermen use for about $100NZ less than "chandlery" retail. The big bonus is the guys at fishermen type places sell them to real people going out working on the briny everyday. Most deckhands round here now wear an inflatable 100% of the time and so they know what sits comfortably and what doesn't.

Cheers - Foster

[Foster Price]

Hello Guys

Head down to your local Fishermans Co-op, or where-ever they buy their gear, I recently got a auto-inflating, same as the fishermen use for about $100NZ less than "chandlery" retail. The big bonus is the guys at fishermen type places sell them to real people going out working on the briny everyday. Most deckhands round here now wear an inflatable 100% of the time and so they know what sits comfortably and what doesn't.

Cheers - Foster

[Foster Price]

Hello Guys

Head down to your local Fishermans Co-op, or where-ever they buy their gear, I recently got a auto-inflating, same as the fishermen use for about $100NZ less than "chandlery" retail. The big bonus is the guys at fishermen type places sell them to real people going out working on the briny everyday. Most deckhands round here now wear an inflatable 100% of the time and so they know what sits comfortably and what doesn't.

Cheers - Foster

[angie]

The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....

[angie]

The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....

[angie]

The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....

[NormMessinger]

That's the only answer that came to my mind, too, angie. But then I couldn't account for the fact that with a manual one, it never opens unless... Ya gotta be able to tred water long enought to pull the little rip cord to release the gas. If the auto model doesn't open automatically it mearly becomes a manual model.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

That's the only answer that came to my mind, too, angie. But then I couldn't account for the fact that with a manual one, it never opens unless... Ya gotta be able to tred water long enought to pull the little rip cord to release the gas. If the auto model doesn't open automatically it mearly becomes a manual model.

--Norm

[NormMessinger]

That's the only answer that came to my mind, too, angie. But then I couldn't account for the fact that with a manual one, it never opens unless... Ya gotta be able to tred water long enought to pull the little rip cord to release the gas. If the auto model doesn't open automatically it mearly becomes a manual model.

--Norm

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by angie:
The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....Manual actuation of an automatic inflatable is exactly the same as it is for a manually-only inflatable: just jank on the lanyard.

It's virtually the same actuator assembly. The only difference is that the automatic actuator contains a chamber that holds a pellet that dissolves (quickly) in water. The automatic inflatables come with a plug that converts to manual-only actuation.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by angie:
The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....Manual actuation of an automatic inflatable is exactly the same as it is for a manually-only inflatable: just jank on the lanyard.

It's virtually the same actuator assembly. The only difference is that the automatic actuator contains a chamber that holds a pellet that dissolves (quickly) in water. The automatic inflatables come with a plug that converts to manual-only actuation.

[Nicholas Carey]

Originally posted by angie:
The auto inflatables are not recommended for non swimmers because sometimes they don't open....ya gotta at least be able to dog paddle with a huge adrenlin rush going on while you figure out how to manually inflat the automatic one....Manual actuation of an automatic inflatable is exactly the same as it is for a manually-only inflatable: just jank on the lanyard.

It's virtually the same actuator assembly. The only difference is that the automatic actuator contains a chamber that holds a pellet that dissolves (quickly) in water. The automatic inflatables come with a plug that converts to manual-only actuation.

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, would you be able to tell me the manufacturer. I have sent an email to Mustang, requesting an address of an Aussie distributor. What you guys have, we usually have.

Mr Carey, thankyou again. smile.gif The sites are very thin with this sort of info.

While continuing with my research for a new PFD, I visited http://www.sailing.com ... and read. 'Safety at Sea'. The most common cause of death at sea is drowning. 517 boaters drowned at sea in 1999. Life jackets could have saved the lives of 450. A USCG statistic. More than a statistic, :confused: . I would not have thought anyone, would venture to sea without a life jacket. I wonder what our Aussie statistics are like, per capita?

Warren.

ps, I have not seen a rock fisherman with a PFD on, ever. I sure do hear about the rock fishermen.

[ 06-29-2002, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, would you be able to tell me the manufacturer. I have sent an email to Mustang, requesting an address of an Aussie distributor. What you guys have, we usually have.

Mr Carey, thankyou again. smile.gif The sites are very thin with this sort of info.

While continuing with my research for a new PFD, I visited http://www.sailing.com ... and read. 'Safety at Sea'. The most common cause of death at sea is drowning. 517 boaters drowned at sea in 1999. Life jackets could have saved the lives of 450. A USCG statistic. More than a statistic, :confused: . I would not have thought anyone, would venture to sea without a life jacket. I wonder what our Aussie statistics are like, per capita?

Warren.

ps, I have not seen a rock fisherman with a PFD on, ever. I sure do hear about the rock fishermen.

[ 06-29-2002, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, would you be able to tell me the manufacturer. I have sent an email to Mustang, requesting an address of an Aussie distributor. What you guys have, we usually have.

Mr Carey, thankyou again. smile.gif The sites are very thin with this sort of info.

While continuing with my research for a new PFD, I visited http://www.sailing.com ... and read. 'Safety at Sea'. The most common cause of death at sea is drowning. 517 boaters drowned at sea in 1999. Life jackets could have saved the lives of 450. A USCG statistic. More than a statistic, :confused: . I would not have thought anyone, would venture to sea without a life jacket. I wonder what our Aussie statistics are like, per capita?

Warren.

ps, I have not seen a rock fisherman with a PFD on, ever. I sure do hear about the rock fishermen.

[ 06-29-2002, 11:46 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Foster Price]

Hello Warren

Mine is a Hutchwilco, 150N size, with a built in saftey harness. The professionals ofcourse do not ever "snap-on" so theirs are a bit simpler - no harness.

Today I was down at the Bluff "observing the shipping" and bugger me, the pilot was going out wearing a new type of inflatable that I hadn't seen before. It has no outercover, the bladder just folds up by the look of it. I know one of the pilots so will ask what it was as they always have the best gear and wear it all the time. Might be a useful lead. Probably he will say "we had Huchwilco's but changed to these because these are better" - thats always my luck!!

Cheers - Foster

[ 06-30-2002, 12:39 AM: Message edited by: Foster Price ]

[Foster Price]

Hello Warren

Mine is a Hutchwilco, 150N size, with a built in saftey harness. The professionals ofcourse do not ever "snap-on" so theirs are a bit simpler - no harness.

Today I was down at the Bluff "observing the shipping" and bugger me, the pilot was going out wearing a new type of inflatable that I hadn't seen before. It has no outercover, the bladder just folds up by the look of it. I know one of the pilots so will ask what it was as they always have the best gear and wear it all the time. Might be a useful lead. Probably he will say "we had Huchwilco's but changed to these because these are better" - thats always my luck!!

Cheers - Foster

[ 06-30-2002, 12:39 AM: Message edited by: Foster Price ]

[Foster Price]

Hello Warren

Mine is a Hutchwilco, 150N size, with a built in saftey harness. The professionals ofcourse do not ever "snap-on" so theirs are a bit simpler - no harness.

Today I was down at the Bluff "observing the shipping" and bugger me, the pilot was going out wearing a new type of inflatable that I hadn't seen before. It has no outercover, the bladder just folds up by the look of it. I know one of the pilots so will ask what it was as they always have the best gear and wear it all the time. Might be a useful lead. Probably he will say "we had Huchwilco's but changed to these because these are better" - thats always my luck!!

Cheers - Foster

[ 06-30-2002, 12:39 AM: Message edited by: Foster Price ]

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, More to look at. Thankyou Mate. All the best.

Good sites so far; ...cyber.marine.com ...gear-up.com ...sospenders.com ...mustangsurvival.com and for the hutchwilcos, ...discount marine.com.nz.

Mustang's distributor in Oz is Aquaterro APS. Belgrave, Victoria. Mr Graeme Bulte, aquaterro@bultegroupe.com

Warren.

[ 07-02-2002, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, More to look at. Thankyou Mate. All the best.

Good sites so far; ...cyber.marine.com ...gear-up.com ...sospenders.com ...mustangsurvival.com and for the hutchwilcos, ...discount marine.com.nz.

Mustang's distributor in Oz is Aquaterro APS. Belgrave, Victoria. Mr Graeme Bulte, aquaterro@bultegroupe.com

Warren.

[ 07-02-2002, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Wild Wassa]

Foster, More to look at. Thankyou Mate. All the best.

Good sites so far; ...cyber.marine.com ...gear-up.com ...sospenders.com ...mustangsurvival.com and for the hutchwilcos, ...discount marine.com.nz.

Mustang's distributor in Oz is Aquaterro APS. Belgrave, Victoria. Mr Graeme Bulte, aquaterro@bultegroupe.com

Warren.

[ 07-02-2002, 07:18 PM: Message edited by: Wild Wassa ]

[Bill Dodson]

I'm really happy with my sospenders made but sold under the WestMarine name ;) 'sport model' inflatible PFD. It was the cheapest model on the rack... now I don't think this is an area to economize too much in, but I didn't think I needed the features that were running up the prices for the other models. Most of my use is going to be in the dinghy or canoe in sheltered waters. It's no-harness and manual inflate, but it's very comfortable and easy to use. I've made it a point to expend a couple cartridges getting used to inflating it after jumping off the dock, and done a few mouth-tube inflations while treading water as well.

Here's hoping we'll never NEED them,
Bill

[Bill Dodson]

I'm really happy with my sospenders made but sold under the WestMarine name ;) 'sport model' inflatible PFD. It was the cheapest model on the rack... now I don't think this is an area to economize too much in, but I didn't think I needed the features that were running up the prices for the other models. Most of my use is going to be in the dinghy or canoe in sheltered waters. It's no-harness and manual inflate, but it's very comfortable and easy to use. I've made it a point to expend a couple cartridges getting used to inflating it after jumping off the dock, and done a few mouth-tube inflations while treading water as well.

Here's hoping we'll never NEED them,
Bill

[Bill Dodson]

I'm really happy with my sospenders made but sold under the WestMarine name ;) 'sport model' inflatible PFD. It was the cheapest model on the rack... now I don't think this is an area to economize too much in, but I didn't think I needed the features that were running up the prices for the other models. Most of my use is going to be in the dinghy or canoe in sheltered waters. It's no-harness and manual inflate, but it's very comfortable and easy to use. I've made it a point to expend a couple cartridges getting used to inflating it after jumping off the dock, and done a few mouth-tube inflations while treading water as well.

Here's hoping we'll never NEED them,
Bill