Was wearing one on Saturday that did not work in any way shape, form or fashion. I was ejected from the non-boater side of the boat and tossed into the water after the boater hit a two cross wakes, one running parallel and the other running perpendicular to us. The boater was operating the boat in a safe manner all day and at the time of the incident. I was tossed backwards into the water after hitting my head on the backrest of the seat on the rear fishing deck (took 10 staples/stiches to close the two cuts on my head). When I hit the water and after realizing I was submerged beneath the surface, I felt to see if my life vest at deployed and it had not. I then went to pull the emergency cord on it and that did not work. Looking around I was able to find my tackle bag floating in the water and was able to use that to keep me upright until the boater was able to get to me and assist me. Also to note his did not deploy either after the entire boat was swamped with water and finally was able to be deployed after getting back to shore and up at of and away from the water.
I am not sure what the model number was or the particulars of this vest or if it was even the kind that deployed automatically, but then again it did not deploy manually either. I know it was only 8 months old and had a fully charged CO2 cylinder on it. I also know it did not work, and I will never wear one again.
Modified by JonBoat14 at 7:00 PM 8/26/2007
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