Float Suit Question

I’ve never owned a float suit but I think it’s time. I fish way too much not to. Always very careful (not out on just a couple inches), have my spud bar, etc. . . But ice is unpredictable so anything can happen.

My question is, if I buy float bibs and keep my non-float jacket, am I defeating the purpose of having the float bibs? Would the bibs take over and help keep me afloat if something ever did happen?
The jacket is in like new condition as I hardly ever wear it. So if I can save the $200 on the jacket and just get the bibs I’d like to.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

A few years back there was some discussion on this topic. I believe you are actually better off getting a float jacket and non-float bibs. If you have a float jacket, it works similar to a life jacket and keeps your core higher in the water and lets you practice safe water extraction maneuvers. If you only have the bibs on, I think the tendency is to have your core tip over and your legs float up. My cheap suggestion, if you’re set on bibs, get the bibs, and wear a life jacket on top. also, don’t forget the importance of ice spikes and always wear them when walking out.

I won’t think the bibs would compromise anything or make it more difficult. I can only compare this to a Gumby suit which is used by rescuers. You can easily keep your legs down if needed but it may also help in getting you more horizontal while trying to flop back on safe ice…but I have no experience going thru in fisherman float suits.

Wearing both bibs and jacket will help you maintain the horizontal position recommended to crawl out of a hole in the ice. I’d imagine the bibs alone would help get those legs up behind you so you can kick and propel yourself forward face-down on the ice, while at the same time grabbing and pulling with your ice picks.

I did an experiment and jumped off my boat once in the summer with a full Striker Predator suit and floated like a bobber in a horizontal position at rest. I could still get my legs down easily if I needed. At rest, the legs would drift up to the surface. I never tried just the bibs or the jacket alone.

I only have the Striker Bibs and wear my normal coat. Two years ago after I bought my bibs I actually went to the local pool and tried it out. I did NOT wear my coat but did have on all my clothes and boots etc. The bibs did keep me up. I am sure with the coat it would be better. I think the boots kept my feet down and I think it provided enough floatation that even with my coat I would have been OK. At my age I still wonder, even with all the floatation if I would be able to pull myself out. I am not sure I have the arm strength anymore. I don’t really want to go test this through the ice. For early ice or if I am somewhere that the ice is weird, I also wear my life jacket for more security.

BTW if you fall in the first concern is NOT hypothermia, it is hyperventilation and panic. You will have shock from the cold and breath very fast, if you panic you take in water…not good. 1st priority is to control your breathing and not panic, do a 180 …well you can You Tube the rest. Think you have a full 20mn B4 hypothermia sets in.