I've had my type 5 pfds for a couple years now. having never "deployed" it, I decided to test it out before replacing the cartridge a couple days ago so I fell in the lake with it on first. after a brief few seconds after I hit the water it went off with a bang, but only one side popped the velcro loose to fully deploy. I had to tug on the cover for a wile to get the other side to finally pop open as well. I was surprised at how powerful the opening of these things is, and how tight the bladder gets inflated. there's some serious power there. the buoyancy was excellent, even when just one side was fully deployed, but it got me thinking later...... it seems like I read somewhere that you're suppose to release the velcro once in a wile on these things to keep it from getting to grippy, causing a partial deployment like I had. does anyone else recall that, or have similar experience with them. mine is an Onyx 24 btw.
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