Onyx A/M-24 Automatic/Manual Inflatable Life Jacket, U.S. Coast Guard Approved, Low Profile, Compact Design, Manual Convertible Inflation Option

I purchased this automatic inflating life-vest prior to a fishing trip to Canada. The second day on the lake, the wind came up and water overflowed the transom and the boat capsized. The vest inflated as soon as it hit the water. Thankfully, two day fishermen came upon us and pulled us to shore. It's not an overstatement to say this vest saved my life.

This is a great USCG Approved Automatic or Manual PFD Life Vest! It comes with the Yellow Cap that converts it to a Manual Life Vest and it comes with the Clear Cap that converts it to a Automatic Life Vest! I wanted to focus on these points because I don't know if everyone understands how this life vest functions.Automatic Mode:The way it arrives, is with the Clear Automatic Cap and Yellow Bobbin attached and the CO2 tube in a plastic bag. You must attach the CO2 canister prior to use, simple. In this configuration, if the vest gets wet or you fall or jump into the water the vest will activate and inflate with CO2 with or without pulling the red tabbed string.Manual Mode:The Yellow Cap that turns the vest into Manual Mode is located in a little pocket on the right side of the vest (if you have the vest laying in front of you) you must open the velcro where the inflatable is, and about a third of the way up you will feel the cap in the velcroed pocket. remove it from the pocket,. Then go to the left side of the vest, open the velcro and remove the Clear Cap by turning it counterclock wise, remove what they call the yellow bobbin and put it in a plastic bag so it doesn't get any moisture! Now, you can screw the Yellow Manual Cap on and the vest will Only Inflate by Pulling the Red Tabbed String. It is only a Manual Vest.Manual Mode is good it you plan on getting wet, taking a dip in the water, or are boating in shallow water.Auto Mode is if you are boating in deeper waters or rougher water and cannot get to shore easily. The Yellow Bobbin is different than the Yellow Cap that I am talking about in this review. The yellow bobbin is only used and Must be used in the Automatic Mode, so do not misplace the Yellow Bobbin and put it in a sealed plastic bag!One more point to make, If you live in a humid climate, always keep the Yellow Bobbin in a sealed plastic bag while being stored, so it does not draw moisture from the air and prematurely inflate the vest.This vest is made for many years of use if you understand how it works and when to use the Manual Mode safely and when to use the Automatic Mode safely. This is Not a disposable vest! It is USCG Approved Vest, but only when being worn. That is with any Life Jacket that is USCG approved!

Super comfortable, easy to adjust the fit. Directions were easy to follow to attach the CO2 cartridge. I haven’t test fired or got it wet and had it deploy but I feel safe wearing on the water. Quality build should hold up well.

This vest fits well and looks good on you. Of course with these vests, there’s always an uncertainty. No way of inflating them so can’t give a review on whether it save my life or not.

Instruction are confusing. They don’t give you great warning that if you pull the cord, you’ll have to buy a new cartridge. I’m sure this is on purpose to they make more money. I even went to their YouTube on how to set it up and the guy pulls the cord right away. Oh well. I’m hoping I won’t have to ever use another cartridge. I’m the mean time I like how low profile it is.

So far so good wanted something small to fit in bag it does have not had to use it yet on the auto fill but did manually feel and everything works so far

easy to purchase and fast delivery

Great product