INDIANANGLER

Guys,

How many of you use floatation vests while fishing ?
Are there places where one can get them in India?
Cabelas has a wide variety in their online catalogue... what does one look for before buying ?

No ... I haven't fallen in the water yet ...
And Yes ... I can't swim.

I use one, don't know where you can get them in India. You could try a Ship Chandler in your city. Or someone on this forum who is into adventure sports should be able to advise.

Colour is important for visibility, we had an electrician onboard one of our vessels who fell over and the crew could not locate him in the water, we stupidly had dark blue boiler-suits this helped camouflage him with the water, given he fell and was unconscious/dead did not help locating him even in broad daylight, only when a gull actually settled on the body the crew spot him, he was dead by then. We changed all boiler suits in the company to orange since.

Some flotation devices come with a certain period of buoyancy, check that.

body weight and some basic attraction devices that come with the vest.

This should help you decide the type.
1. Type I-Off shore vest: Provides the most buoyancy of any USCG type PFD and is the only vest designed to turn an unconscious person to a face-up position. They are ideal for remote or rough waters where the possibility of rescue may take some time. They are bulky and it is unlikely they would be used for recreational use such as waterskiing or wakeboarding.


2. Type II-Near shore buoyancy vest: Designed to turn “some” unconscious persons to a face-up position. Intended for calm inland waters or where there is a good chance of a relatively quick rescue. Examples of these vests would the orange inexpensive vests most boaters have onboard. Sizes: Child 30 - 50 lbs, Youth 50 - 90 lbs. and adult over 90 lbs.


3. Type III-Flotation Aid: Designed so wearers can place “themselves” in a face-up position and would be ideal in situations where quick rescue is possible. This is the most common jacket used for recreational purposes such as; waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, inland fishing and general boating. The PFD's are not intended for rough water or the open sea. This vest comes in many different sizes, styles and colors. This type of vest is the most comfortable for continuous wear. Boater's Outlet has thousands of Type III ski vests in stock in a variety of colors and sizes.


4. Type IV-Throwable Device: Designed to be thrown to a person in the water, grasped and held by the user until rescued. This type of flotation device is either a life ring (ring buoy) or a throwable cushion. Boater's Outlet stocks 20”, 24” and 30” ring buoys. In the Type IV cushions, we stock a variety of colors including: red, white, blue and camouflage.


5. Type V-Special Use Device: Designed and approved only for activities listed on label. Such as commercial whitewater rafting, kayaking or canoeing