Opinions of PFD's

did the state adopt the c.o.e. regs ? the wear at all times in a boat under 16 ft. , makes the inflatable a good choice . the cost of testing is the only draw back .

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Originally Posted by clfarms1

I looked in the state laws for Ms and I cant find where it says that.

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It's a COE rule that was put in for the Big 4 COE lakes in North MS. I don't think that MDWFP or the state had anything to do with it. There has not been a boat related drowning in the COE lakes since the rule was put in.

Ask Mr Green Jeans

I have both in the boat so it doesn't matter to me...I have three regular life jackets and two prds and one throwable....never have more than three people in the boat so I am good with whatever rule they want to use.

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

Found out that in MS unless you have it on it doesn't count. So unless I was gonna wear it all day it would not save any storage space because a regular would have to be in the boat.

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Pretty sure that only applies to the belt type. The normal over your shoulder inflatable pfd is the same as any standard pfd.

I have one and like it.

Do you keep the normal life jackets in your boat as well?

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Originally Posted by feelay

Pretty sure that only applies to the belt type. The normal over your shoulder inflatable pfd is the same as any standard pfd.

I have one and like it.

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Have both but the inflatable is a class II just like the regular ones. The belts are class III and don't count unless worn.

Make sure you know the facts before you buy an inflatable. They are high maintenance. Please do the manual inflation to make sure you do not have a hole in them. We have about 25 here at work and we seem to have one or two not hold air each time we test them.


Following are the legal requirements for using an inflatable:

• The PFD must be USCG approved, as indicated by a label on the PFD. (Some early models were not approved and may still be in circulation, although most units manufactured presently are approved.)
• The PFD must be the appropriate size for the user.
• The PFD must have a full cylinder and the firing mechanism must have a green status indicator showing that the device is armed and ready for.
• The PFD must be in good condition, including the inflating device, the air bladder, the oral inflation tube, and the manual inflation lanyard.
• The PFD must actually be worn to meet the USCG carriage requirement for having one PFD onboard per person—unlike inherently buoyant lifejackets, which are not required to be worn at all times (except by children) but which must be readily accessible.
• Inflatable PFDs do not meet the requirement for users under age 16 (because they may not be mature enough to understand how to use the manual inflation mechanism if the automatic mechanism fails).
• Inflatable PFDs are not recommended—though this is not a legal requirement—for nonswimmers (who may not be able to keep their head above water long enough to use the manual mode or the oral tube for refilling the bladder).

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Originally Posted by Perlite

Make sure you know the facts before you buy an inflatable. They are high maintenance. Please do the manual inflation to make sure you do not have a hole in them. We have about 25 here at work and we seem to have one or two not hold air each time we test them.


Following are the legal requirements for using an inflatable:

• The PFD must be USCG approved, as indicated by a label on the PFD. (Some early models were not approved and may still be in circulation, although most units manufactured presently are approved.)
• The PFD must be the appropriate size for the user.
• The PFD must have a full cylinder and the firing mechanism must have a green status indicator showing that the device is armed and ready for.
• The PFD must be in good condition, including the inflating device, the air bladder, the oral inflation tube, and the manual inflation lanyard.
• The PFD must actually be worn to meet the USCG carriage requirement for having one PFD onboard per person—unlike inherently buoyant lifejackets, which are not required to be worn at all times (except by children) but which must be readily accessible.
• Inflatable PFDs do not meet the requirement for users under age 16 (because they may not be mature enough to understand how to use the manual inflation mechanism if the automatic mechanism fails).
• Inflatable PFDs are not recommended—though this is not a legal requirement—for nonswimmers (who may not be able to keep their head above water long enough to use the manual mode or the oral tube for refilling the bladder).

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Good info.....Thanks

•The PFD must actually be worn to meet the USCG carriage requirement for having one PFD onboard per person—unlike inherently buoyant lifejackets, which are not required to be worn at all times (except by children) but which must be readily accessible.

Well this explains it well enough.