Quote:
Originally Posted by TNBronzeback
Ive been tempted a few times when they put em on sale but im not impressed with the inflate/failure ratio other guys have told me. Could be all hear say kinda stuff, but i dont know if i would risk it myself.
However, to be hipacritical, i do own a few manual inflatables i use while fishing below the dams in warm months, and my regular foam PFD while the big engine is running.
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I was participating in a discussion on this subject about two months ago. One guy on facebook made a statement that one out of every three fail when being immersed in water. So I responded and asked him to show me empirical evidence that a full 33 percent of inflatables fail...a link to an article......anything that would speak to such figures. I got no response because those figures do not exist. I researched this subject for a long time. I could never find anything where anyone ever drowned using an inflatable. I did'nt find any documented evidence where they did not work when called upon. What I did find was articles of folks who do not follow the guidelines of when and how to use inflatables.....also many do not do the regular maintenance that is clearly spelled out when to change co2 cartridges....bobbins...if it is equipped with a bobbin. The one I have is a hydrostatic type that has no bobbin so it can't go off from excess humidity or if caught out in rain. It works off of water pressure that requires one to go under 4 inches of water before inflating....also has a manual cord if you so choose. I first owned these in 2004. They worked then...from my own experience... and I also had them pop off on their own when I was stupid enough to leave them in a boat with a cover on it in high humidity. I have been witness to several of these units working. The last was when my nephew slipped out of a boat on the Little Red River....about 2 years back. I have the confidence mine will work and I will do the maintenance when required.
Regards