We are flying to
Panama next week. I checked with the airline (Copa Air) and we can check a USCG approved life-saving
PFD w/CO2 cartridge as long as the CO2 cartridge is less than 480gm. The typical CO2 cartridge in my PFD is 180gm. I've flown several different airlines over the years and never have had a problem checking PFDs. As I
recall, I once printed a page showing PFDs as OK in checked bags and had this available for gate agent.
Which airline are you flying that prohibits CO2 cartridges in a (key words here), USCG approved life saving device, aka, PFD.
The other thing to keep in mind, the CO2 cartridges are not standard. The size/weight and thread size are all different, depending on the make and model of your PFDs. I had to order specific spare CO2 cartridges online to fit the different make PFDs on board because I couldn't find the right size in our local West
Marine (Los Angeles). Even if you find CO2 supplier in Ensenada, they probably won't have the right size/shape for your PFDs.
Good luck,
Don