[Peter Rawlinson]

I used to have one many years ago , soon to invest in another . I  need one for  safety reasons when wading . Last year I slipped on the  bank when fishing the Dee , and when I realised how deep the pool was I would have been a gonner if I fell in .

There are so many different types on the market .........anyone had experience of one ( ie. taken a dunking ) or had problems with certain makes / types ?

Recommendations please..............floatation  waistcoat/vest or lifejacket.  ? What do you prefer.?

[Peter McCallum]

the old heron waistcoat was de rigueur many years  ago, however they would only help you float if you were conscious. What you could have done was crack you skull as you went in and knocked yourself out cold..........dead  !

 A lifejacket will right you, face up & so help prevent you drowning even if you are out cold. In a river automatic would be the way to go.

[Rob Brownfield]

I use the coller type automatic life vest.

The issue I have with waiscoats is that you HAVE to wear the waiscoat no matter what. In summer they are hot, in winter they have to be worn over your waterproofs and so are bulky.

The lifejacket can be worn over a t shirt or full winter garb without an issue.

[Jim Eddie]

This is the one i use , its comfortable to wear.Can't comment how it performs though as I've not had to use it in anger yet.

http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/64/englands-doctors-flyfishing-waistcoat-with-integral-gas-lifejacket

 

Jim

[Hamish Young]

This thread may be useful: http://www.fishingthefly.co.uk/forum/index.php?topic=3746.0 but there's plenty of stuff in various threads on this forum about safety devices and choices out there.
Personally, I use the Snowbee 11702 collar style lifejacket http://www.snowbee.co.uk/fly-fishing/fly-vests-life-jackets/ it is very effective and having put mine through a range of trials with 'water rescue professionals' I am very happy with my choice and as an angler would recommend it as a good buy for all uses (wading, tubing, boat etc)
I know I always harp on about it, but the most important thing is to make sure any life jacket you do buy is serviced in accordance with the manufacturers recommendations.

H

[Mike Barrio]

Just to second Hamish, I use the Snowbee collar style lifejackets at the fishery and for my own personal use

Best wishes
Mike

[Peter Rawlinson]

Thanks for all the info and links boys , plenty for me to research.

I find the biggest problem to be in the winter when I have got so many layers of clothing on , the life vest / jacket has to go on top and it always seems to get in the way of my pockets .

 I have looked at a few and the thing I have found  surprising is the price . Her indoors will probably  ask lots of questions when I ask her for £200 !

She already thinks I spend to much on fishing 

Cheers for all replies ,   Pete

[Jim Eddie]

I agree with what Hamish and Mike said and there is no doubt the collar option offers the greatest protection , however I find them a nuisance so would end up not wearing it, so for me the waist coat is a better option.
This one is cheaper http://www.fishtec.co.uk/buy.cfm/life-jackets/wavehopper-inflatable-fly-vest-lifejacket/40/no/44467

 

Jim

[Barry Robertson]

I started off with the englands inflatable collar style jacket and to be fair i forgot it more often than i wore it  
I now use the snowbee lifejacket vest
 https://shop.snowbee.co.uk/shopretail/product_info.php?cPath=2_26_28_199&products_id=734&osCsid=c6t8u5tc4goheirkc1897esrm6
Becuse it has my forceps / clippers on it ect, i never fish without it on so it never gets forgotten about like the old one! Alot comfier than the collar style for sure  

[Rob Brownfield]

http://www.rnli.org.uk/assets/downloads/17889%20lifejackets%20Potting_LR.pdf

I bought a non fishing lifejacket on the recommendation of the RNLI website. It was half the price of the fishing ones, still green, still automatic, still 150 Nm of buoyancy, but just not branded with a fishing company logo., but was recommended by the RNLI. Win win al lround.

Mine is a Gael force Hi-line, but I noticed they only seem to do red or black now.

I got from these boys...
http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/categories/8/angling-and-fishing-lifejackets