inflatable vest

I thought I would ask this in this section since a lot of boaters have these. I recently got a WEST MARINE Comfort Series Inflatable Life Vest Model Number 1131 to use on my kayak. My question is that I was told it would automacially inflate when it hit the water or I could pull the tab to inflate or use the mouth tube to inflate it. Short of putting it on and jumping into the water is there any way to tell for sure that it is automatic? I have sent an email to Stearns but haven't received an answer yet so I figured I would ask here and hopefully someone has one. Thanks

If this is the vest, it says pull the cord or blow it up manually. Nothing about inflating when it hits the water {????}

STEARNS Ultra-Inflatable Manaul PFD Vest 1131

Provides over 22.5 lbs. of buoyancy when fully inflated.
Lightweight comfort for improved range of motion and ventilation.
Quick and reliable manual CO2 inflation by pulling lanyard or by oral tube.
Nylon shell. USCG Approved Type V with Type III performance.
Available in Royal Blue or MX4
Package includes one Stearns 1131 Life Vest in mesh case.

Yes but the other west marine ad says the same thing and also adds that inflates when it hits the water. I'm guessing that there's only one way to find out unless I get an answer from West Marine before I take the plunge.

Andy, West Marine sells alot of this type vest as Lot of SR folks out fishing (Alone)here in Fl, from what I am Told this unit will also inflate in shower or rain storm,as it is water activated, did you also ask about recharge kit, they are quite proud of them as they are little pricey. Chance s are you know more about the unit than the store sales people . Keep us posted Al

Al I think the rain and activation stories are just old wives tales. The ones that activate by water the water has to go up inside the one side of the vest to activate it so some sea spray or rain would be able to get in there.

Ok Andy, as you know there is so much information floating around today it is hard to sift fiction (BS) from fact,hope all is well up yor way, tried to sell some reels to buy a New GPS but looks like every one short of cash right now AL