Ready, Set, Inflate!
Did you know that last Thursday an attempt was made to set a world record for Lifejacket Inflation? I didn’t know, until I was accosted at our marina and coerced into participating. 🙂
As I didn’t want to blow off an expensive cartridge, I opted to do a manual inflation of my new Mustang Hydrostatic Inflatable PFD. This was good practice as neither Rebecca nor I had taken the time to explore these important safety devices.
I actually have a “sticky” note on my computer desktop that I copied from an internet post relating to these PFDs:
I never trust a new inflatable PFD – even if it comes in a sealed package.
The check is easy to perform and I do it before I start to use a new one and then every year.
Procedure:
Open the PFD
unscrew the CO2 bottle, the gross weigth is stamped on the bottle – I use a digital kitchen weight to controll.
Check the “pill” that it has not been triggered, normaly they should have a replace by date stamped on it.
Manualy inflate – leave inflated over night, should not loose air.
Check the it for wear and tearAssemble and pack (follow packing instructions)
It sounded like good advice so I saved it.
Good idea, Mike. I’ve owned my inflatable life vests for about 15 years, and never inflateted any of them, let alone adjusted them to properly fit anyone, including me!
I assume not adjusted means not worn. No criticism intended; the last time I wore one was in a severe thunderstorm 4 years ago. Before that, another 13 years when I was sailing beach cats. OK, once or twice in between in sailing dingies, but those weren’t even my PFDs, since I was a guest.
We have them, for example in the dingy. They get stepped on a lot. Would I want to step on them for 4-13 years, in the bottom of the dingy, and then bet they will work? No. But realistically, that’s the use and abuse they can actually see.
I’ve torn pants on sharp stuff. Fish hooks are always a menace.
When it gets really rough, and you’re getting thrown around, a foam vest protects ribs. Sailors sometimes wear them up the mast in rough conditions, for that reason. I know they saved some bruises on the beach cat when sailing in strong weather Google “pitchpole catamaran” to get an idea).
Should we wear them more often? Yes, there are times, but I like a harness better, including inflatables. In part, I feel like if there is a material chance of falling over, I should have the harness, and if I have the harness, I can’t fall over. Most likely it will be night and recovery is a long shot. I think this way of think is ingrained by years of climbing; you either need a rope or you don’t, and if you do, it should be done right.
I accept a certain amount of risk. I’m OK with that. I feel good about that.
The point of this rant? That if I really need a PFD, in a dingy in bad weather or if there has been a serious accident or such, I would rather have a foam vest, I think. I know it will work, every time. The counter argument is that people actually wear inflatables, and many do! It’s a great argument… if they are worn.
I talk too much.
LOL. We don’t think so. 🙂
Yeah, I think it’s a good idea too. One of the people who was in our group found that her PFD didn’t inflate properly.
The second most important aspect of a PDF is to learn how to deflate. Not only if it has inflated unexpectedly and you have to get out through a small hatch but if it overinflated and squeezes your neck you will have to deflate it.
I don’t like the self inflating type. If you are on the foredeck in a storm and a wave washes over you they have a tendency to inflate. Not something you would want. The last point is some helecopter slings are small and difficult to put over a fully inflated PDF so you have to defate to get into one.
I have removed the self inflating mechanism from my Musto PDF If I fall into the water unconscious then I’m gone – self inflating or not. You only need two breaths to keep you afloat and five to fully inflate a normal PDF
Good thinking Harry. I hadn’t considered that. The Mustang ones we have are the newer hydrostatic ones which “supposedly” need to be submerged to inflate. This should deal with the accidental inflation by wave thing. That is all very valid stuff though. Thanks.
No comment
Just a quickie on your list – I don’t think the Musto HAMMAR type use a pill (one of the reasons we went with them).
Fair Winds,
Mike
Oh. I have yet to actually check out the ones we have as I listed. I guess I had better figure out how ours work!
Thanks Mike.
That’s a good protocol, Mike. I plan to add it to our winter checklist.
Thanks!
bob
You’re welcome. Thanks to whoever wrote it in the first place. 🙂