lifejackets

[mark]

here\'s a thought. Gas inflation lifejackets. Luckily I\'ve never had to use em, but thought it might be time to check they still work, so how do you test em? put em on the kids and tell em to pull the cord whilst videoing it for you\'ve been framed, or just blow em up with the manual valve to check for leaks etc.

the gas canisters should be ok as they are obviously still sealed (or are they?)

hate to think that the day I need em (which will hopefully be never) they don\'t work.

the cartridges were new 2 years ago (as were the jackets) so whats the best way to test/service em and best place to store em when not in use

[Charlton]

If i remeber rightly the gas cylinders should be changed every year, even though they are sealed they could still loose pressure. Would suggest you contact someone who sells them and see what they say. Would be worth posting their reply for all to read.

[DaveMason]

Mark , on the instructions there is a time period when to change them . I do not know of any test you can do though . As a point of interest , i wear an auto-inflate when out alone PLUS a safety stropp to stop falling in ! We have four standard lifejackets that do not fail under any reason and a life ring . These and your radio ( and phone ) are one the most important things on board . Never skimp on them .

Btw , I\'m sure you know but never go on deck alone when the boat is moving , always stop first .

[Edited on 19/12/2004 by DaveMason]

[boblydon]

as Alan says i am sure they are surposed to be checked and the cannistered changed, not sure what the time scale is though

[mark]

as well as the crewfit gas jobs there\'s a couple of old Mae wests stowed as well! The only time the gas jobs have been worn is by the kids or when I\'ve been out on me todd (not often)

I can remeber going over the side in me sailing days many years ago and getting dragged along nicely by the safety harness, better than been left behind tho.


just been perusing the crewsaver site and this must surely be worth having
http://www.crewsaver.co.uk/crewsaver/webpages/freecd.htm

I\'ve asked em for a copy so can copy it if any one wants one

I\'ve emailed em to get there opinions. I wasn\'t so much concerned about the gas canister, as for the sake of a fiver each, worth replaceing as a matter of course. More a case of testing the durability of the air chambers.

Did have a baltic autoinflate one once. Hated it. Stand in the rain, bit spray for a few minutes and the thing would go off. Crewsavers need to actually be submerged to go off, not that I want to test that claim.

will let you know what they say

[Edited on 19/12/2004 by mark]

[mark]

had a nice reply from crewsaver. They recomend servicing once a year. Which includes inflating the jacket with the existing canister to verify the trigger mechanism, leaving it inflated and checking all seams and stitching, checking for leaks and general condition of material, deflating, then reinflate with the manual tube (ie blow it up!), if everything is ok, pack it away, replace the canister and if neccessary, whilst the cannister is out clean and inspect the trigger, apparently the spike onthe trigger ca be prone to corrosion.

right I\'m off to frighten the kids then!