Inflatable life vests

[WYIfish]

I bought a nice Cabelas self inflating life vest to wear on early ice and late soft ice. seems like a good idea as I become more filled with common sense.  Any of you's have one or plan to?  My buddy says if I fall through and die of hypothermia they can at least fine my body.  Nice.

[tapone]

Bought one for my wife to use on the boat. I have worn it and it is not too constrictive. I suppose it would work for on the ice... I personally bought a Frabill ice jacket last year on sale. It is a little stiff but I do like it. Plenty warm.

I hope you never have to see how the life vest works!

[eriksat1]

Imo not a bad idea. I have a floatable suit but may not always wear it when it is warmer out.

[Gills-only]

I bought a nice Cabelas self inflating life vest to wear on early ice and late soft ice. seems like a good idea as I become more filled with common sense.  Any of you's have one or plan to?  My buddy says if I fall through and die of hypothermia they can at least fine my body.  Nice.

.         Get a floating suit, I have a striker, does the same thing, floats you , is warm in any conditions , and is also waterproof!

[DLB]

I wear an inflatable also but am looking into a floating jacket.  No particular brand except I have heard that some of them are not as warm as others.  Just have to do some research, I guess.

[eriksat1]

Late ice it is hard to wear my Hardwater Ice jacket when it is 50* out.

[Gills-only]

Just unzip mine, have occasionally took jacket off even. They say just bibs will float you , don’t want to find out the hard way !!

[stripernut]

I have both the inflating "vest" and the inflating fanny pack, I wear the fanny pack most of the time and I keep my pliers on it. I have been through a few times and always get myself out, but it is good to know if I needed it, it is there!

[wallyworld]

Used to wear an inflatable pfd on the ice, now have stryker bibs & jacket. Have heard the pfds might not inflate properly in the cold.

[IceAddict87]

I used to laugh at people who had an outfit they wore specifically for ice fishing but after owning my striker suit all I can say is that they are worth it. Super warm, wind resistant and waterproof, if I fall in it floats. They are pricey but worth it. That being said if it's not in the budget a self inflating life vest would still be money well spent.

[Curley]

I wear an inflatable on the kayak during the heat of summer. It keeps you chest up and supports the back of your head like the old orange life vest. My only concern would be having to overcome the additional bulk in front of you and the fact that they don't immediately inflate. there is a slight delay. Fielders choice in my opinion.

[defish]

Used to wear an inflatable pfd on the ice, now have stryker bibs & jacket. Have heard the pfds might not inflate properly in the cold.

I have a Mustang inflatable (GREAT vest) but it says specifically in the instructions NOT for use on ice.  Be sure to check any pfd's documentation out thoroughly before relying on it for ice fishing.

[eriksat1]

I have a Mustang inflatable (GREAT vest) but it says specifically in the instructions NOT for use on ice.  Be sure to check any pfd's documentation out thoroughly before relying on it for ice fishing.

I wonder if they think you fall through it inflates and pins you under the ice?

[tbern]

I wonder if they think you fall through it inflates and pins you under the ice?

. Would the ice possibly tear threw a inflatable vest?

[darkeyez]

Used to wear an inflatable pfd on the ice, now have stryker bibs & jacket. Have heard the pfds might not inflate properly in the cold.

That would be part of my concern also, better than nothing, but if it malfunctions and doesn't inflate it's worthless.

[Gills-only]

U won’t go under the ice unless in a river with current, I bet!

[HWeber]

could be mustang just trying to avoid a lawsuit. you could test it out in your freezer if you don't mid wasting the money for a life jacket recharge kit

[77tech]

Might be they are afraid you might wear an inflatable under a coat.  I read someplace that if you wear an inflatable under other clothing it will asphyxiate you because as you exhale you will be unable to inhale again as it will continue to inflate as you exhale leaving no room to expand your lungs again

[Spider1]

like 77tech said, don't wear an inflatable under a coat. It is always to be warn on the outside.

[stripernut]

Another good reason to use a fanny pack style inflatable...

[wallyworld]

 The inflatable type pfds may be slow to fill or only fill part way in the cold due to lower co2 pressure below 32* .  Read the labels or do a google search before you decide what to buy.

[hnd]

i wouldn't put my faith and trust in an inflatable in below freezing temperatures.  we used to do a lot of pellet rifle shooting and when it got too cold CO2 cartridges failed a lot.