Auto inflating PDFs

[Plumb]

Hi all, I've read through the previous threads but can't seem to find an answer yo one question, and retailers give me both answers.

Will a auto inflate pfd go off from some spray / light rain ??

I'm looking to get some but I don't see the point on the manual type if ever needed in an emergency.

Cheers Luke

[greg123]

I recently did a sea survival course and asked our instructor the same question.

Apparently they won't go off in 'light spray' but if you hit some bad weather and take a decent amount of spray then they can go off. From memory its just a bit of chalk like substance that dissolves and releases the firing pin.

I ended up going with manual (I have a 20 footer and we fish out wide) because I wear it when we're outside and occasionally end up completely soaked on the ride home.

[Fisherman36]

Yeah, I did the same research a while ago. The chalk like substance on the auto inflate type wears a little each time it gets wet from sea spray or rain. I went with manual inflatable as well.

[martoiscool]

Mate I've seen an auto go off on the way back in on a rough day from outside ballina. It was actually quite funny as my mate didn't see it coming at all. The look on his face was priceless!! It was not that old either, about six months he said. I guess it had gotten damp one to many times

[Plumb]

Thanks guys, looks like i might run with the manual pull cord type.

Cheers Luke