" It requires you to jerk-to-inflate, and then pull it over your head."
Any demos of it being used in fast water. How easy is it to find the pull rope while you're possibly freaking out being ripped around the current.
I've actually seen someone holding their buddy's waist as he flopped around feet first down the Chehalis. Not a pretty sight.
lol
I use it because that's what's used most of the time in the fancy Salmon and Steelhead magazines. I've tried pulling it over my head, it's not that hard to do. And it's worn on the front of the body, not around back.
Yes, my rod & reel will be lost. But hopefully tossed to a friend lol.
If you're worried about rapid deployment, definately get a collar one. It's already in place. And a self-inflating one for those times you hit your head on the rocks....
For me, I'm not planning on going swimming. But if I do end up in the water, my pfd is better than not having anything at all.
Deploy, then hug to stay afloat, then pull overhead when I can. That's the plan. And if I don't survive, at least the body will be easier to recover
When I'm on a boat, I use a regular vest type PFD