I wear my old SOSpenders still. Keep it up to date on the re-arm. Had one go off in the rod locker one year, never in a rain storm. Don't think it would be that easy for rain to activate it the way they are made. Time and humidity will disintegrate the salt pellet in this style. Maintenance required, but even foam life jackets need to be recycled now and then. Read up on them. Some guys still have really old ones that they are relying on, poor move. Get something good, comfortable and usable, and keep it that way. I, too, am in the market for another vest. Won't be a SOSpenders tho since they are off the market. Maybe the HIT.