Inflatable PFD Buoyancy

Shaker-King · 12-31-2003, 08:34 AM

I have been looking at inflatable PFD's and it appears that the two things that drive the cost are automatic Vs manual and the buoyancy rating. I understand the auto Vs manual feature but the buoyancy has me puzzled.

I see vests rated at 22.5# to 38# of buoyancy. Neither number makes me feel so good thinking that there is 200# i-fisher hanging below it, if needed.

Does anyone know what the formula is for buoyancy Vs suspended weight? Is there a need to spend the money for the higher buoyancy vests?

Also SOS has units that come in Regular and Long lengths. Does anyone have experience with the different lengths?

MacEFL · 12-31-2003, 08:57 AM

A few months ago I was in the market for an inflatable PFD as well. I looked at them all and was confused. I was fishing for sturg around KP when the Clark County Sheriff boat pulled up to do a safety check. They were both wearing Mustangs. I asked him about them and he said that they are the best out there. That was enough for me. Hard to find and a little more expensive but you know what, I wear mine! Most of the time I forget I have it on. I take it off at anchor but the rest of the time it is on. OK, so I have forgot a couple of times.

Thumper · 12-31-2003, 10:11 AM

Because humans are mostly water, people in water are very near neutral buoyancy; i.e., it would take very near "0" pounds of buoyancy to keep the top of their heads at the water line. If you are really fat, you have a bit more buoyancy (fat is less dense than muscle). If you are very slender, less buoyancy.

Those of us with obstructive pulmonary disease (more air stays in the lungs) can't sink. I used to amaze friends by sleeping while floating around in their pool. As a kid I regularly swam the Columbia doing the dogpaddle. Just couldn't sink.

Anyhow, 20 pounds of buoyancy is a lot of floatation when you are starting at "0". That amount of flotation would nearly float you if you walked in over your head holding a 20 pound rock.

I wouldn't be too concerned about the amount of flotation. Get an inflatable that is comfortable and can be worn partially inflated by mouth all of the time. Then you have the best of both worlds. If you fall in and are unconcious you will still float. If you are concious you can jerk the tab and you will really be floating high.

Floating is a good thing.

3527766 · 12-31-2003, 11:02 PM

My first inflatable was an SOSuspender manual, but it did not conform to current regs for full time pfd, so I stepped up and bought a set of Mustang auto inflatables for my boat and we wear them all the time. Very comfortable and worth the extra $$, but anything is better than nothing if you value your life. Just my opinion...I could be wrong.