I found that after a while, I'd say 10 years, that the kits to replace cartridges are not available. So when you buy one also buy the replacement cartridge at the same time.

I've been wearing them for 25 years and many years ago had one go off on the back of my pickup. Nothing like that in the last 15 years though.

About 18 years ago I fell in and did inflate the one I was wearing. And it worked!

I wear it all day long in all weather. It is for MY safety.

Look for a type 2, not a type 3 IMO. Type 2 are better at turning your head up and are made for being in water longer than type 3.

Are you aware there is periodic maintenance involved with self inflating vests?
What about past product recalls?
What will you do when you are on a trip and you discover your jacket had inflated since last time in boat or accidentally goes of on you?
There are non inflating life jackets which do not restrict movement and are not hot in the summer that always float you.
Check out the NSR Chinook for one. A gold standard in the kayak fishing world.

Well....those circumstances that you are talking about are a non issue, since an inflatable life jacket is only legal when you have a non-inflatable on board as well. One non-inflatable for each inflatable. If you blow up blew up, get the old jacket out and carry on.

Its supposed to be that an inflatable only counts as a PFD if being worn. I have been checked and didnot have a 1 to 1 ratio abd not one word was said about it. I was wearing it the couple of times I was stopped and checked.

like mark said, they have to be on you to count, mine never comes off when I am on the boat. all you need besides the inflatable is your throw cushion, not a 1 for 1 with non inflatables.

Guess I was misinformed. Thanks for clearing it up.

Sounds like you have a good backup plan and safety is your primary concern.
Just wanted to make sure you are safe.

I work for an agency that issues a very popular inflatable vest to it's employees. When the vests were three years old we did a training event where we jumped in a pool with the inflatables on. Out of 128 vests that went into the water three did not inflate automatically. We also had two people go into the water in a boating accident wearing inflatable vests. One inflated as it should the other did not inflate automatically or manual. The boat they were in had probably twenty orange horse collar vests in it but the boat was upside down. Luckily neither person was injured and was able to get back to the boat until rescued.
I choose to wear a good type III pfd. They always work as designed.

In 2005 I barrel rolled a boat. Had the self inflating style on. The jacket did inflate, but down around my waist after hitting the water a 60 mph. I only wear the vest type after that.

There are some that are truly Type II and Type III, not just the "Type V with Type III performance when worn". Those models count even if you only wear it when the motor is running...

Mean Mouth Lures and mfd 219,
Thanks for mentioning incidents you were directly related to. These have a bigger impact than 3rd party reports, mentioning maintenance and recalls.
It also removes any hint of "you did not research this enough" which is not how I hope my comments come across.
Hopefully all our efforts will make a difference.

I get that, but for 2 things.
1. Mustang wasn't a comfortable fit.
2. HIT models run $200-240, vs the $90 for the Onyx. So IF it self deploys sometime in its lifetime, I'll deal with it for the $20 recharge kit.

This would be helpful info if you would disclose which PDF your company uses.

Everybody should read the little packet attached to all life jackets. It explains the type classifications, length of time before rescue, and if they will turn you over when unconscious. Type 3, whether inflatable or regular isnt designed to turn you face up or keep you afloat for very long. Type 2 is more apt to turn you face up and keep you afloat longer, and type 3 will nearly always turn you up and is designed for offshore or rough water and to keep you afloat a long time. Most aren't going to wear a type 3, think the big orange ones. At least get a type 2 no matter what style. I have a regular and an inflatable.