Dan,

I have the same one that Wilf is using and am also very pleased with it. The pockets are handy. I've used it for whitewater canoing and for kayaking. It is very easy to inflate by mouth and the valve system is top notch. When doing whitewater I inflate it by mouth when things get hairy then deflate it when the wild stuff is over. If you get yourself in an unexpected bind you can just pull the tab and do the instant inflate gig. I have never had to deploy it that way in a emergancy situation, but I did it just to show the kids (and myself) how well it works.
It is so comfortable that you will always wear it, that is a benefit in itself.

I say go for it!!

Ken