Hi Mick,

Yes, this one does inflate manually by mouth. In fact, the sales person told me that if the weather gets a bit rough, it's a good idea to do so. Didn't ask if there was a relief valve to stop over-inflating (I'll have to go back and ask) -- hate to have blown it half up manually and have the thing pop if the CO2 cartidge is activated

Incidentally, there is also a model that is activated by contact with water -- it's not recommended for kayaking though.

: you can get them to be just inflated by mouth. (hate to be overinflated for
: no reason at all!).
: looks like a great minimalist idea.might pick one up sometime. wonder if you
: could wear it under the tuilik and meet the pfd regs and not be a
: blob?(inflate tube routed thru tuilik 2" thin flange tube)