Home › Forums › Bass Cat Boats › Auto Inflatable Vests (Mustang, Etc…)
JohnM17.
I understand the Auto Vests dont offer any impact protection and are not the best choice while running, however most of us pull our life jackets off when we cut the big motor off and start fishing. These autos vests, if they work reliably, may be just the ticket to wear while actually fishing. I know most of us have the thought we will be ok or we can swim alright, but you may end up injured when falling out. I know these vests are new to the fishing world, but if they can add to safety, they are at least worth a look. I have watched the videos on the Mustang and they sure make them sound good. Has anyone on here had any first hand experience with these vests or found any statistics on their reliabilty?
We do not suggest them other than for fishing security. BCB
Fisherman, I had one of the SOSpenders and after wearing in some rain, it inflated on its own. After telling a few of my fellow tournament anglers the story, I found out that many had the same issue. From what I hear, the Mustang brand is better, but I personally decided to stick with what I know works and works all of the time and use the regular non-inflatable vest.
I wear the BPS brand of the Mustang units as soon as I step foot into the boat and I take them off when I get out of the water at the end of the day. I never notice that they are even on and I have never had one inflate in the rain. You might be able to swim good but if you fall out while fishing and hit your head and get knocked out then what are you going to do? I also like the protection that they offer in the winter time when you have 3 or 4 layers of clothes on and you fall over in 40 degree water. With all the layers on and the cold water it makes it hard to stay afloat. Blake
sdfd504 wrote: You might be able to swim good but if you fall out while fishing and hit your head and get knocked out then what are you going to do? I also like the protection that they offer in the winter time when you have 3 or 4 layers of clothes on and you fall over in 40 degree water. With all the layers on and the cold water it makes it hard to stay afloat. Blake I still would prefer the life jacket. Unless you get the auto inflation, getting kod results in the same scenario. Then too, it needs to be worn on outside of all the layers. Even then, the life jacket on a cold morning run is another layer for your chest. Early spring days I find myself shedding layers as the day warms…still gonna have to take it off then. Some people swear by them and are comfortable with them. I am a big boy, so extra padding doesnt bother me……….96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
Yeah but you wont wear the regular life jacket all day do you? I wear my BPS Auto inflate all day and if I take a layer of clothes off I just put it back on. If you fish by yourself alot, I cant see why somebody wouldnt want the added protection of being able to stay afloat if you fall out whille fishing and hit your head and nobody is around to help you. Blake
I was talking with a older gentleman the other day, he told me he hit stump while fishing and fell out of the boat. After hitting the trolling motor and and stump, (top of a tree) he had broke his arm, leg, ribs and hip, and koed him. When he woke up he was laying on the bottom in 18 ft of water. I do a lot of night fishing and thought if I fell out , would I know up from down in the dark or would I panic.For that reason I got the auto inflate because I know I wouldnt switch after motoring and started fishing.
As I said, I can see some people swear by them. And as you can see, BCB stated only for fishing security, same situation as you described. It is the driving part that is most concerning to me. I cannot imagine that the auto inflate is going to offer any protection to chest, ribs, or back when being thrown against the side of the boat or even launched out in the event of an accident, that a properly worn life vest possibly could. But we are talking about two different scenarios, fishing vs driving. And it is good that we can agree to be different.96 Eyra/12 Mercury 175 Pro XS with 2015 single axle trailer2017 Victory Gunner
If I am thrown out of the boat while driving, I am more worried about breaking my neck by my head hitting the water at that speed more then breaking a rib. Also there is some legal reasoning I am sure as to why they recommend the regular vest. If for some minimal chance that the auto inflatable didnt inflate and they were supplied with the boat, they could come back and try to sue BCB because of it. With the regular vest there is no way they can get sued because it didnt inflate. Blake
My wife bought me the SOSPenders when I started fishing by myself a bunch. As far as she knows I wear them all the time I really do wear them most of the time if by myself, you forget you have them on. If buying today though Id have to spring for the Mustang brand, they are set off by water pressure not just moisture.
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