Thu Jan 04, 2018 1:59 pm
I use an inflatable regularly from the first boat ride of the year to the last boat ride. However, as a mechanical device, they kinda freak me out. especially when the air temp is extremely cold.
There was a guy on one of these forums, I think the old one Keller started, who went overboard and had a bitch of a time getting back in the boat because the inflatable got in his way. He said he'd never re-arm it with CO2 again and just use it as a manual-inflate. I would be worried about the gasp-reflex sending me to the bottom before I had time to inflate it, but I also worry about it not working so I'm obviously a worrier.
Odds are you would be able to find a rearming kit that would work, but that's somewhat of a gamble. I'm guessing all of the auto-inflate PFDs have the manual option, but you might want to verify that.