Safety at Sea: Why the Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack is a Game Changer
When you think of water activities, what often comes to mind? The thrill of paddling through serene lakes, the rush of whitewater rafting, or the simple joy of a sunset cruise on a kayak. But amidst the excitement and adventure, safety should always top the list. Enter the Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack, a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life-saving device that promises peace of mind without sacrificing comfort. With its low-profile, compact design, this inflatable belt pack is a must-have for anyone over 16 who weighs more than 80 pounds and has a waist size of up to 52 inches.
Let’s rewind to last summer. My friends and I decided to take on a weekend of paddleboarding in the sprawling waters of the local reservoir. The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and we were all geared up with our trusty paddleboards—except one friend who thought he’d be ‘fine’ without a life jacket. "I’ll just stick close to the shore," he said nonchalantly. But as the day unfolded, conditions changed. A sudden gust of wind swept across the water, sending his board tipsy and, before he knew it, he was in over his head—literally. Fortunately, he managed to swim to safety, but the heart-stopping moment taught us all an invaluable lesson: the right life jacket can mean the difference between a fun day out and a disaster.
Now, if you’re a water enthusiast looking to ensure your adventures are both thrilling and safe, the Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack could be the perfect companion for you. This innovative life-saving device not only meets stringent safety standards but also offers the freedom of movement that bulky life jackets can’t provide. In this blog, we’ll dive deeper into the benefits of your choice of life jacket and how the Onyx M-16 can enhance your safety without compromising on your comfort. Join us as we explore expert recommendations and product reviews to help you choose the best life jacket for paddleboarding and other water activities. Get ready to take the plunge into a safer, more exhilarating water experience!
Onyx M-16 Manual Inflatable Belt Pack, U.S. Coast Guard Approved, Low Profile, Compact Design, Approved for users 16 years and older; and over 80 pounds; fits up to 52” waist Details
U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED: This USCG-approved inflatable life jacket belt pack jacket inflates manually by pulling the inflation handle. Approved for users 16 years or older, and over 80 lbs. The universal size fits up to a 52” waist
MANUAL INFLATION: The 16 gram CO2 charge provides 17 pounds of buoyancy. This belt pack is equipped with back-up oral inflation to allow the wearer to provide additional buoyancy up to 26.5 pounds
SAFETY & SECURITY: The inflation handle clips to the life jacket to prevent snag hazards. The adjustable body belt and front buckle closure allows for a secure fit of the vest. Features an attached D-ring for affixing accessories.
LIGHTWEIGHT, LOW PROFILE: This ultra-sleek inflatable belt pack weighs less than 1 pound, making it ideal for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, fishing, sailing, and recreational boating. It fits comfortably around your waist for unhindered paddling or casting. When not in use it stows conveniently and compactly
REARMING KIT: Inflatable life jackets can be reused after each inflation. After use, the PFD rearms easily with the M-16 Rearming Kit (sold separately). Always read your Owner’s Manual for the proper way to initially arm your life jacket, and how to re-arm it after it has been inflated. Use Onyx Rearming Kit #1370 for this product. It is recommended to purchase an extra rearming kit to try out your inflatable life jacket and become familiar with its operation.
Customer Says About us
Reviewer: Sarah Salvatori
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great product
Review: Havenât had to actually use it but everyone needs one if you are paddle boarder. Great to have on hand for piece of mind. Iâve been recommending it to everyone I know this summer!
Reviewer: Tim
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Comfort so it will be worn
Review: Most ppl dont wear safety gear because it is not comfortable. This is very comfortable and will be worn without hesitation. Remember to test and reload yearly, jump in a pool and inflate that thang.
Reviewer: John
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: I’ll actually wear it
Review: I think this is great for things where you won’t get knocked unconscious… Like skiing or tubing. Those things I would wear a conventional jacket. This is great for other things like sup, kayak, etc. I actually haven’t had to use it, and hopefully never will
Reviewer: Caleb J. Gaylord
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Onyx m16 manual inflatable life jacket belt pack
Review: I don’t know if this deserves 4 stars or 5, I was happy to read in the description that there is a zippered pocket for keys or whatever. But upon inspection of the belt pack, I can’t find a zippered pocket on it anywhere. Disappointing but I’m sure it’ll serve it’s actual purpose when needed. But the zippered pocket would have been a bonus.
Reviewer: Leo
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: WANDERFULL
Review: outstanding product! just activate one to check how it’s working. working great even with aftermarket gas cartridges, but I need a new security pin(green one) to reactivate which didn’t come with product.so I called customer service & they promised replacement pins over the weekend by FedEx for free. GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE & SUPPORT!
Reviewer: jo
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Good for SUP
Review: Fish, And Game warden gave me thumbs up good quality and coastguard approved
Reviewer: Aries39
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Safety always
Review: I love this PFD. It is so lightweight that I forget that I have it on. When I go paddle boarding I always wear this around my waist where my friends have the bulkier jackets that they attach to their boards. All I have to do is pull the cord when needed.Side note, when I went through other reviews people were commenting on the cartridge being expired. That is the manufactured date.
Reviewer: George A.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Easy to use and ready
Review: Already been to the ocean with this (i got 2), and already ive had people ask about them. With many riptide drownings happening already in my area the peace of mind on how easy these are for kids to learn is priceless.
Reviewer: DL
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great PFD. Super light and small and easy to wear. Got pulled over by river police who didnât think I was carrying a PFD on my SUP, but were happy when I showed them up close that I was in fact wearing one!
Reviewer: crystal cassidy
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Itâs lightweight and appears well made.
Reviewer: Marie Christine Gagnon
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Je lâutilise à chaque sortie
Reviewer: CJThornley
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Perfect for it’s intended use. Very light. Great for stand up paddleboarding. It’s certified by US coast guard but doesn’t have any Transport Canada wording on it so I’m not sure if it’s certified for Canada.Revision: Is NOT certified to use in Canada. Ignore other reviews claiming it is.
Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Great value compared to some other brands. and it’s smaller size means it doesn’t get in my way as much when paddling.
Price: $77.79
