life vest...
- Thread starter dtvonly
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Get the ones that inflate. They are wearable, so you wont mind wearing them. You dont want to have to put them on in an emergency.
Stewartb
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Stearns CO2 inflatable vests are standard equipment for float pilots. Some guys like to stuff vests full of survival items are wear them on tires, too. They used to offer one in nylon and one in Nomex. I always thought a Nomex float vest was ironic.
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Stick to the manual inflated vests (some auto inflates can be switched to strictly manual mode http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-...al-inflatable-life-jacket-blue-gray--14897425). If you go into the water you don't want it inflating while you are still strapped in to your seat. Also, the auto inflate pill tends to deteriorate with humidity and can go off on it's own. More fun times.
Stewartb
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Never seen a CO2 cartidge go off on its own. It takes a good pull on the cord to pierce the seal and release the gas. Most of those vests have a red tab hanging on a cord that says "Jerk to inflate". My wife always commented that mine was personalized!
wilkersk
En-Route
Exactly! Make sure that "red tab" don't hang up on anything at the worst possible time. Could be the difference between life and death. My Navy SV-2 had the toggles stowed in a way that wouldn't catch on anything. Like with anything else, you'll get what you pay for. If you go cheap, you may be better off with a manually inflated one.
At the risk of restarting an old flame war on single-engine-over-water, I'll just say if you operate where you need them, get the good ones and the training to go with 'em.
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I have. Inflated while stowed below deck. (OK, I didn't actually see the inflation because it was in a locker. I only saw it afterwards.)
Stewartb
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So show us a picture of what you wear instead of dissing what I wear. If you have something better I'd like to see it.
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Who's dissin' what? I just don't like the auto inflate because I have seen auto inflates when no inflation was desired. I've got an old SOSpenders manual inflate with a harness built in.
Similar to this but with a harness.
TheGolfPilot
Line Up and Wait
Don't inflate until you are out of the airplane.
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Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
hindsight2020
Final Approach
Yep, the SOSpenders are a great buy and compact form factor, which is a huge plus for spam can X-C wear. I never get old of that video either, jolly ol Santa could be anyone's funny uncle.