Im trying to chose between the Mustang automatic inflating PFD or their manual one. I have heard a few people comment about the automatic model inflating on its own in high humidity conditions. Preferences for either please ?
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What if you go in hurt?
You can convert an automatic to manual, my WM has a special plastic tab for just that purpose. The problem with a manual is if you go in the water disabled - hit by a boom or whatever - then you might as well have no PFD on. I'd get the auto - and if you have problems with humidity, then convert to manual at those times when you have to. Also: Mustang has a new hydrostatic automatic type that is immune to humidity - but it is mucho bux and the rearm kits are more mucho bux. I caught my WM inflatable PFD on deep sale - but as it is about 3 here right now I have not had a chance to do more than play with it in the house!
You can convert an automatic to manual, my WM has a special plastic tab for just that purpose. The problem with a manual is if you go in the water disabled - hit by a boom or whatever - then you might as well have no PFD on. I'd get the auto - and if you have problems with humidity, then convert to manual at those times when you have to. Also: Mustang has a new hydrostatic automatic type that is immune to humidity - but it is mucho bux and the rearm kits are more mucho bux. I caught my WM inflatable PFD on deep sale - but as it is about 3 here right now I have not had a chance to do more than play with it in the house!
Automatic
I chose an automatic just in case it was the "boom in the head" thing that sent me over the side. Been wearing it every time I sail for the last two years. Have worn it in rain, spray, fog. Has never gone off by itself. If it does... I would probably crap my pants and jump overboard, but it would be good for a laugh. I carry a re-arming kit just in case.
I chose an automatic just in case it was the "boom in the head" thing that sent me over the side. Been wearing it every time I sail for the last two years. Have worn it in rain, spray, fog. Has never gone off by itself. If it does... I would probably crap my pants and jump overboard, but it would be good for a laugh. I carry a re-arming kit just in case.
Get the automatic.
Like Oldcat have said, with a manual PFD, if you go in disabled, then you are dead. High humidity, huh....it will have to be very high humidity, or significant water spray, could trigger it. But, the trigger is usually covered with a little flap from rain or water spray. If you are concerned with high humidity, you can get the rearming kit, and use just the tablet thingy, looks like a big aspirin tablet. Some people have said you can use aspirin tablet as a substitute, but I have never tried that, so I don't know if that will really work or not.
Like Oldcat have said, with a manual PFD, if you go in disabled, then you are dead. High humidity, huh....it will have to be very high humidity, or significant water spray, could trigger it. But, the trigger is usually covered with a little flap from rain or water spray. If you are concerned with high humidity, you can get the rearming kit, and use just the tablet thingy, looks like a big aspirin tablet. Some people have said you can use aspirin tablet as a substitute, but I have never tried that, so I don't know if that will really work or not.
Couldn't decide either so ended with one of
each, generally use the auto when alone unless it's raining. Will an auto inflate unwanted ? Beats me, hasn't yet, I think I worry more about catching the handle and having one inflate while I'm in the head, you could be stuck there if you can't bite a hole in it.
each, generally use the auto when alone unless it's raining. Will an auto inflate unwanted ? Beats me, hasn't yet, I think I worry more about catching the handle and having one inflate while I'm in the head, you could be stuck there if you can't bite a hole in it.
Inflatables
I have some experience with these things so here's my 2 cents. You can't treat these like an ordinary PFD. They won't perform well if they are stored in a wet locker, exposed to rain or soaked in beer. They need to be checked regularly, that means a close examination of the tablet and CO2 cartridge. Do that, and they will most likely do what they are suppose to do. Exposure to the elements, over time, will degrade the pill and cartridge. Assume nothing. Go with an automatic, it eliminates the need to activate the mechanism. If you take a blow the the head, most likely you live to talk about it. These are well suited for the conditions we encounter. Keep a rearming kit, or two for each device and you'll be in great shape. One last suggestion, when conditions warrant, wear it.
I have some experience with these things so here's my 2 cents. You can't treat these like an ordinary PFD. They won't perform well if they are stored in a wet locker, exposed to rain or soaked in beer. They need to be checked regularly, that means a close examination of the tablet and CO2 cartridge. Do that, and they will most likely do what they are suppose to do. Exposure to the elements, over time, will degrade the pill and cartridge. Assume nothing. Go with an automatic, it eliminates the need to activate the mechanism. If you take a blow the the head, most likely you live to talk about it. These are well suited for the conditions we encounter. Keep a rearming kit, or two for each device and you'll be in great shape. One last suggestion, when conditions warrant, wear it.
My 2 cents
We've got a pair of auto Sospenders that we've used for 5 years and several thousand miles. We had one go off spontaneously in the locker two years ago. It was no big deal. We're in Fla. (lot's of rain/humidity) and I don't remember if I serviced it at the recommeded interval that year. As Liam mentions, if I'd been wearing it at the time I simply would have had to change my underwear afterwards. No harm. As Steve says, the key is regular maintenance. We change out the "tablet" and check the canister annually. The tablet does degrade over time. Rain, splashes and casual water will NOT set it off. Sometimes when it's time for maitnenance we'll hop in the pool with them on just to make sure everything everything's working as advertised. The other advice you've gotten here is sound.
We've got a pair of auto Sospenders that we've used for 5 years and several thousand miles. We had one go off spontaneously in the locker two years ago. It was no big deal. We're in Fla. (lot's of rain/humidity) and I don't remember if I serviced it at the recommeded interval that year. As Liam mentions, if I'd been wearing it at the time I simply would have had to change my underwear afterwards. No harm. As Steve says, the key is regular maintenance. We change out the "tablet" and check the canister annually. The tablet does degrade over time. Rain, splashes and casual water will NOT set it off. Sometimes when it's time for maitnenance we'll hop in the pool with them on just to make sure everything everything's working as advertised. The other advice you've gotten here is sound.
Go all the way
Get an auto-inflate with a built in harness. After the first couple of sails you will forget that you have it on ... so wearing it all the time will become second nature. When the weather goes to hell and you should be clipped in, you already have the harness on, one less thing to worry about. I have three Mustang auto-inflate/harness combos on board. Two of them are about 6 years old, but still pass inspection every spring. I needed a new Canadian DOT approved PFD this year and added a new Mustang to the inventory. In 6 years I have *never* have one inflate on the boat, no matter what the conditions were (I do disarm the auto when dinghy sailing). When that bad boy inflates it is a real eye opener. 35# + buoyancy compared to a type II 17# is enormous! It feels like you are in a life raft. Mustang makes good stuff, if you ever find yourself in the water, you will be happy you spent the money!
Get an auto-inflate with a built in harness. After the first couple of sails you will forget that you have it on ... so wearing it all the time will become second nature. When the weather goes to hell and you should be clipped in, you already have the harness on, one less thing to worry about. I have three Mustang auto-inflate/harness combos on board. Two of them are about 6 years old, but still pass inspection every spring. I needed a new Canadian DOT approved PFD this year and added a new Mustang to the inventory. In 6 years I have *never* have one inflate on the boat, no matter what the conditions were (I do disarm the auto when dinghy sailing). When that bad boy inflates it is a real eye opener. 35# + buoyancy compared to a type II 17# is enormous! It feels like you are in a life raft. Mustang makes good stuff, if you ever find yourself in the water, you will be happy you spent the money!
The recent WM SOS model
does both; its convertable so you can set it for either auto or manual only, unlike the auto units with manual backup. I do agree with others that the automatic feature is a must, although not foolproof. We had crew on the foredeck that got submerged (on deck) up to their waist, and the thing went off. Other than the surprise, the inconvenience and a new cartridge, no harm done. "Worked as advertised" as they say. Locally, we had a coxswain fall off a rowing shell, the most harmless of situations, and he drowned before they got back to him.
does both; its convertable so you can set it for either auto or manual only, unlike the auto units with manual backup. I do agree with others that the automatic feature is a must, although not foolproof. We had crew on the foredeck that got submerged (on deck) up to their waist, and the thing went off. Other than the surprise, the inconvenience and a new cartridge, no harm done. "Worked as advertised" as they say. Locally, we had a coxswain fall off a rowing shell, the most harmless of situations, and he drowned before they got back to him.
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