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    Posted: 26 May 2013 at 1:29am
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Hi all, I know there might probably be another earlier thread that touches on this topic on another forum, but I don't seem to find it so I may as well ask again here.

I am a non-swimmer. Never got learn how to swimming as I had some childhood traumatic experience of drowning + nearly dead when drowned so ever since then I am too chicken to bury my head under water. 

Have been doing more and more rocks fishing plus the odd occasion of going onto mates boats I think it is a good idea to invest in a good, reliable lifejacket. 

And by 'reliable', I mean one that can actually float me and lift my head out of the water so I don't get drowned. I weight 80kg. Will there a lifejacket that can do this? How much do they usually cost? I have seen some inflatable PDFs at my local tackle store but was told that their buoyancy aren't as good as lifejackets. 

Any advice is welcome!
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Cigar Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 11:12am
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Just about any decent lifejacket will do what you want.
 
I'll have to check, but I think the inflatable ones actually have more buoyancy than the standard ones (once inflated of course!).
An inflatable one might be your best option - less restrictive, more comfortable and not as hot on a summer day.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote DezzyTooToo Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 12:18pm
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Originally posted by ycha223 ycha223 wrote:

Hi all, I know there might probably be another earlier thread that touches on this topic ................ 

Any advice is welcome!
 
Touched ... ? ................ Probed more like it !!!
 
ycha223 , seriously if you can`t swim my advice would be to stay off the boats and even the rocks , it just seems crazy . Learn to swim buddy .
 
Life jacket types ? . we have the collard hutchwilco types onboard. I don`t like the inflateable ones because my theory is that if you bang your head as you go over and become unconscious you will float and don`t have to pull a rip cord to make it work .... and hope the cartridge is fully charged .
For someone like you who has to wear one full time and being uncomfortable ,well that`s the price for not being a swimmer .
 
I love cats ......... I just can`t eat a whole one .
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote pjc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 12:28pm
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hi andy,best advice learn to swim,my preferance now is the standard collared jacket as it will turn you over the right way,float on back,in the wind can provide a bit of warmth but as you fish wharf/rocks possibly a self inflating jacket.more important do not go fishing a lone.be prepared to spend at least $150,recently started a thread on this.
lifelackets 
Posted: 09 May 2013 at 11:15am

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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ycha223 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 2:24pm
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Hm...so the ones with the collar will lift the head out of water? I am prepared to spend $200 on a good one.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Betty Boop Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 2:59pm
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I have 4 PFD's with the string thinghy for inflation and they are comfortable for fulltime wear. Coastguard rescue chose similar as there thoughts were water activated were more suited for children falling into the water and issued their crews with man. activation given their operational use..........Thumbs Up
ps...Dealer cost recently from a major dristributor is $47+GstWink
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (1) Likes(1)   Quote TIN TUB Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 3:05pm
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also make that any inflatable ones have a stainless steel firing pin, not all do, and learn to swim.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote mouthu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 4:11pm
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Andy, I fish off the rocks more than anywhere else and wear a hutchwilco foam life jacket with collar.
 
I'm 110kg's and don't swim (not can't. but don't) and have been in the drink more than once on the same day.
 
The reason I wear a foam filled life jacket is once the inflatable goes off and has done it's dash, it's uncomfortable to weat when standing on land.
 
If you do choose to go for an inflatable, get an auto version. the reason for auto is if you smash your head on the way into the water (I have), you probably won't think to pull the cord due to not being concious or paniking.
 
You can buy life jackets from Burnsco, Smart Marine, FCO, Rebel sports and I think Top Catch too.
Yes it was me, I screwed it up for everyone.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote ycha223 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 7:29pm
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Thanks Matt. I have looked at Top Catch and they seemed to only have the inflatable PDFs. I will visit all the other places you mentioned. Right now I am restricted only to go to the rocks that I know, e.g. Castor bay, campbell bay, Whangaporoa Big Manly. Some of those places you can only access at low to mid tide. At times an extraordinary high high tide may cover up the exposed rocks so its best to wear a life jacket I think.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote mouthu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 7:36pm
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When you do get around to trying out the west coast, you must wear a life jacket!
 
How's this, I've had issues with a couple of sweepers on the coromandel twice in the space of 20 minutes......... now the obsure thing is that we were facing auckland at the time on a bright sunny day and the sea condition was as flat as a pancake. Now I wear my life jacket on the east coast too.
Yes it was me, I screwed it up for everyone.
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Post Options Post Options   Likes (0) Likes(0)   Quote Southern_Jez Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 May 2013 at 10:18pm
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My preference is for the old school collared hutch wilco life jackets, reason being warmth in the water, and don't have any maintenance cost. They are not much more than $100 each. You will want to learn how to swim with your life jacket on as well. Sounds strange but if you have no experience in the water you will need to learn how to kick in order to get your self back to the wharf or rocks safely. After you have got that mastered then learning how to swim properly will be easier.
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