Who wears inflatables on the ice? After my test this past summer, I’ll be leaving the inflatable at home. Worst case scenario is the life jacket inflating 3’ below the ice and floating up away from the hole only to be trapped against the bottom side of the ice. No thanks.
I do not, I use the striker Ice float bibs and clam float jacket. Wear both while ice fishing and got the chance to do extensive testing while trapping last year (4 plunges into the drink) and they are invaluable in my eyes, kept my head above the ice, kept me afloat, did not hinder my exit, and kept me warm on the walk back to the truck.
Regular foam for me on first ice. An inflatable is huge when they’re blown up.
I think they would hinder your ability to crawl back up onto the ice.
But I wouldn’t be concerned about it inflating 3′ below the ice. Breaking through the ice and doing a pencil dive off a dock are different scenarios.
What you do need to be aware of though, is that they won’t inflate 100% in sub-freezing temps. They’ll still inflate enough to make you bouyant, but won’t be rock hard like in the summer.
As Aaron mentioned, a float suit is also a great idea instead of a PFD.
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I’m an ice pick guy. Not sure the inflatable would work any better or WORSE than a typical life jacket…both would allow for submersion. And to be honest, so do Gumby suits (survival suits). Unless you fall in slow or brace yourself with the ice, you will go under regardless of what you are wearing…what happens after that is what’s going to save you.
I’m an ice pick guy. Not sure the inflatable would work any better or WORSE than a typical life jacket…both would allow for submersion. And to be honest, so do Gumby suits (survival suits). Unless you fall in slow or brace yourself with the ice, you will go under regardless of what you are wearing…what happens after that is what’s going to save you.
I have a few of those Survival suits for open water Great Lakes fishing
They would be the cat’s meow for early ice, but you have almost zero dexterity and they are very uncomfortable 
Now that you bring it up, it might be worth keeping one in the truck during the winter. I’ve never had to rescue someone who has fallen through, but if I did one of those suits would be extremely helpful.
I have worn my inflatable. Just order a new Striker suit so that should be better. I still would wear my inflatable though. Like B-Man said – it would still help you UP. I ALWAYS have my ice picks around my neck also.
Own an inflatable but don’t plan on wearing it ice fishing. Ill be wearing a striker ice suit with picks around my neck. Also be checking ice ever step with a spud and a buddy 15 ft behind me
<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>bob clowncolor wrote:</div>
I’m an ice pick guy. Not sure the inflatable would work any better or WORSE than a typical life jacket…both would allow for submersion. And to be honest, so do Gumby suits (survival suits). Unless you fall in slow or brace yourself with the ice, you will go under regardless of what you are wearing…what happens after that is what’s going to save you.I have a few of those Survival suits for open water Great Lakes fishing
They would be the cat’s meow for early ice, but you have almost zero dexterity and they are very uncomfortable
Now that you bring it up, it might be worth keeping one in the truck during the winter. I’ve never had to rescue someone who has fallen through, but if I did one of those suits would be extremely helpful.
Way to be thinking and great that you’re willing to help and I’m guessing since you own a few you’ve been through some rescue training… if not, be advised that the victim can very easily take you under even if wearing those survival suits.
Ice picks will be everyone’s best friend should you go through…floating suits will be the recovery teams best friend.
I don’t think a person needs an inflatable vest if they have a float suit.
I walked the plank off the side of my boat two summers ago to test how effective the Striker Predator suit was. I was wearing both the jacket and bibs.
I popped up like a cork, and having all that floatant in the bibs raised my legs up so my body was in a horizontal position in the water. This is where you want to be. You can either float on your belly and pull yourself out with your spikes or float on you back until help comes.
“Kick and pull!”
Start at 1:10.
Striker ice suit and ice picks
Bob, I’ve had a little water rescue training years ago (lifeguard certification).
What you brought up is one of the few things that I still remember (a drowning person will do anything to stay above water, including drowning their rescuer).
I guess it wouldn’t be a bad idea to have a throwable and rope in the truck at all times too.
I wear a pfd under my wind proof outer layer. Hopefully I’ll never find out if it works!!
I wear a pfd under my wind proof outer layer. Hopefully I’ll never find out if it works!!
If it’s a traditional foam vest there’s nothing wrong with doing it that way.
If it’s an INFLATABLE, wearing clothes over it is a big no-no.
Own an inflatable but don’t plan on wearing it ice fishing. Ill be wearing a striker ice suit with picks around my neck. Also be checking ice ever step with a spud and a buddy 15 ft behind me
Heck, give him your spud and have him walk 15 feet in FRONT of you.
If it’s an INFLATABLE, wearing clothes over it is a big no-no.
Not only will the clothes restrict how much it inflates but it will take forever for the button to dissolve under the clothes.
If you watch my video, the Velcro on the inflatable itself prevented it from inflating fully.
If it’s an INFLATABLE, wearing clothes over it is a big no-no.
It’s a regular pfd, but thanks for pointing that out.
When I was younger it was ice picks,and a inertube tied to my ankle !
I’ve worn a normal life jacket on the ice before, sketchy early ice.
Sometimes I bring a throw able from my boat too. My float bibs are always on and I usually have my pics around my neck
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