Which is the same thing I said when I made my initial post about keeping 3 conventional in my boat for compliance.

Chris they make a "hybrid" PFD

I have used a Mustang HIT for 15 years without incident...the HIT will not activate until it is submerged in at least 4 inches of water it is a Coast Guard Type II approved pfd, and has 38 pounds buoyancy....Type II pfd's do not have to be worn to be counted as an onboard life jacket....but obviously they can not work if you don't wear them and the HIT would not be one you could toss to someone.
I have fallen in the water wearing this and it worked as it should...the HIT and cylinder have to replaced every 5 years....just a tip I have a Cabelas auto activated and Bass Pro autoactivated for guests, if you will buy a large zip lock bag and store them in it, in your boat , I have never had one deploy if stored in the bag, I have had a couple of deployments in the locker when not stored in a bag..due to water in the boat...I would also suggest to everyone that owns one to test the air bladder once a year....you do that by blowing it up with the tube and let it sit overnight to see if it hold the air...My original HIT made it 12 years before it developed a small air leak that i found doing this test...In my opinion, they are reliable and comfortable enough that you will wear it consistently and as I found out it will be on you when you need it...I would recommend a Type II as they will right you so that your are face up in the water....if worn correctly, important if you are unconscious...and with 38 pounds buoyancy will float you higher than any other type of PFD....

Mark, why don't you check the law and show me where it says an inflatable (not "inflateable") PFD must be worn to be considered a legally recognized PFD in Texas? You won't, because it doesn't. Read my post above. There must be a million people in Texas who think this, and they keep circulating this mis-truth, as you are.

Here is a legal and correct statement: If you buy an inflatable PFD, and that PFD is rated as TYPE V by the US Coast Guard, it must be worn at all times when on the water in order to count as your legally compliant PFD.

Texas law requires that you have a TYPE I, TYPE II, or TYPE III PFD. If you take a TYPE V PFD off and lay it down, it's a TYPE V PFD and it no longer serves as your TYPE III PFD. IF you WEAR that TYPE V PFD, it immediately will be considered to serve as a TYPE III PFD and satisfy the state requirement.

The following statement is also true: If you have a TYPE II or TYPE III inflatable PFD on the boat it can count as a legal PFD for any person 16 years age or older, worn or not. If the PFD is a TYPE II or TYPE III, there is no distinction in whether or not it must be worn to be legal - inflatable or not - but it is never legal for a person under age 16.

Where did I learn this? From reading the law, and talking with TPWD Boating Enforcement Division in Austin - the head of that division, in fact. Has this been tested in court? You bet it has. There is even a member on TFF I assisted who defeated an improper citation in court because the officer apparently got his info from you or one of the many others who quickly jump to say you must wear a PFD if it's inflatable or you get a ticket.

Read the rating and use info printed on the PFD itself. If your inflatable is rated as TYPE II or TYPE III, you must have it available for use, but it is not mandatory to wear it, though that's a good idea. My recommendation to people is be aware of what you are getting when you buy one - they're not all the same. Personally, I would never choose a TYPE V device; they're marginal, and too much trouble with the law.

I thought you would have known better. If you call Austin, and ask specifically about the TYPE, you'll find I'm correct.

So type 2 does count then if available, ie laying on my driver seat of boat while on deck fishing

Wow, sure is a lot of hostitility over a little PFD post..... ... No worries though, you win the internet today with all that typing. ......I know what I have been told when stopped so I will personally follow my own experience and. I will continue to carry enough conventional PFDs to cover everyone in my boat as I am not gonna argue my case with a GW that may not be as educated as you seem to be on the matter.

The game warden was wrong, just as in the case of the man who received the bad citation. They may be nice guys, but they don't all pay attention in training. If a game warden tells you that you must wear the inflatable, report him by name to Austin, and he will likely receive additional training. Austin "swears" all the game wardens have received instruction on this area of enforcement. You should not have to compromise if what you're doing is fully legal. You certainly have the right to do as you wish, but please don't tell everyone else something that's wrong.

What you take as hostility is actually specific to-the-point-info & language, and in some cases some phrases from law/regulation, not hostility.

I'd still like ANYONE to show me where a law or regulation for Texas says you must wear any inflatable PFD for it to count as legal. If it's the law, certainly someone can show it to me....OR....someone must have it wrong. If nobody can do so, then shouldn't that start to cast some doubt on whether the conjecture and grapevine have been telling people?

Do you really need a PFD if you are in 6” of water all the time? Lol! I’ve heard of too many self inflating ones going off on accident. I won’t ever own one. Good old mustang 100mph PFDs for my boat.

You make a good point, but if you are in a boat that requires PFDs, technically, Texas law would say you need PFDs - never mind if you are in water so shallow your waist might never get wet if you got out of the boat.

6 feet!

That’s an abyss


I like to fish where I can get out and walk

His post indicated 6 INCHES.

If I'm going into the lake because of an accident I want the best chance at survival. Not saying an inflatable won't save you, I just want the best. We only use the bright orange mustang. They are pricey but one of the best. Use two sizes to compensate for bulky clothes in Winter. I don't want the reason I die to be for something as simple as a quality lifejacket.

Do all of the inflatables turn you face up if you were to be knocked out? My old standard PFD will not turn me over.

6" brother. and that's when you are on pad Bart is a magic beast!