Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020 - 31

Many inflatable life jackets use a water-soluble wafer to trigger
the inflation cylinder. Extra care must be taken to prevent
accidental deployment.
Higher-end inflatable life jackets are designed to be less likely to
accidentally deploy.

Having noted the downside of life jackets overadorned
with pockets, I will point out the benefit of such a design
when fishing from a kayak, canoe, or other small boat
with limited storage space. It is beneficial to have your
common tackle essentials readily available, rather than
tucked away in a tackle box on a boat with limited
stability. Paddling life jackets feature a modest number of
hard shell pockets that are an asset rather than a liability.
Inflatable life jackets are also a good choice, particularly
during the warmer months, when the insulating value of
traditional life jackets is not seen as a plus. Inflatable life
jackets come in both automatic and manual models. The
former deploys automatically when immersed in water.
Manual models rely on activation by the user by a pull
cord. Automatic models can also be inflated manually.
Both types have an oral inflation tube. It is important to
note that inflatable life jackets must be worn to comply
with the PFBC's regulations, unless other standard life
jackets are onboard.
The advantage of automatic inflatable life jackets is
not having to rely on the wherewithal to activate it in
a stressful situation. The downside is that automatic
inflatable life jackets are prone to accidental deployment.
Most units use a water-soluble wafer to shield the CO2
cylinder. When the wafer dissolves, the cylinder is
triggered, inflating the vest. It is not uncommon for the
www.fishandboat.com 		

vest to accidentally inflate when repeatedly exposed to
humid environments, in my case the enclosed bed of my
truck. Rearming an automatic life jacket can get expensive,
and it is not easy to purge all the CO2 from the life jacket
to return it to its original, streamlined profile.
Higher-end inflatable life jackets use Hydrostatic
Inflator Technology, triggered from water pressure,
making them less likely to accidentally deploy. However,
this advantage comes at a comparatively higher price.
One other consideration regarding inflatable life jackets
is that these life jackets do not offer as much buoyancy
during extremely cold weather. In general, however,
inflatable life jackets offer higher levels of buoyancy than
standard life jackets and can turn an unconscious person
face up.
Sizing is another issue to consider. Most flotation life
jackets include straps that allow the device to be tailored
to the wearer. While it is important for the life jacket to
be tight enough to provide optimum protection during
a mishap, be sure there is enough slack to allow freedom
of movement while fishing. Life jackets worn over cold
weather fishing clothing will likely need to be a larger
size to accommodate layered clothing. I wear a paddle
sport life jacket from fall through spring and switch to an
inflatable life jacket during the warmer months.
While my observations on the best life jackets for
fishing are admittedly subjective, they are meant to inspire
readers to choose their own 'best' life jackets-ones they
will actually wear, which is what is most important.
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater * March/April 2020

31
http://www.fishandboat.com
Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater - March/April 2020
