Activating Lifejacket

[Gixer]

I’m going to service my lifejacket shortly, watched plenty of videos and happy with how to do it.

When checking the badder everyone seems to inflate using to tube. Why not just pull the cord? I’ve never let a lifejacket off before and am dying to do it ?

 

[V1701]

Go on do it do it do it...

Put it on TikTok you might go viral...

 

[pandos]

I set off mine a year or two ago and was "delighted "to see it partially inflate ....bottle had come loose , even though I had serviced it at the start of the previous year of use....

 

[RJJ]

I’m going to service my lifejacket shortly, watched plenty of videos and happy with how to do it.

When checking the badder everyone seems to inflate using to tube. Why not just pull the cord? I’ve never let a lifejacket off before and am dying to do it ?

You'd then need a rearming mechanism and a fresh bottle. Probably both are fine, so it's a waste of £20-40 or something.

 

[HissyFit]

I’m going to service my lifejacket shortly, watched plenty of videos and happy with how to do it.

When checking the badder everyone seems to inflate using to tube. Why not just pull the cord? I’ve never let a lifejacket off before and am dying to do it ?

IF you've got a re-arming kit I see no harm, but if it goes off it will be a waste of a good cylinder. If it doesn't go off; well you'll end up with a duff cylinder whatever the outcome.

 

[Gixer]

Thanks guys, looks like the rearming kit is the bottle and auto mechanism anyway so nothing to loose….

Pandos - that’s an unnerving video. Had it come loose on its own or do you think you hadnt done it up tight enough? One of the videos I watched recently said to check the bottle frequently.

 

[pandos]

Thanks guys, looks like the rearming kit is the bottle and auto mechanism anyway so nothing to loose….

Pandos - that’s an unnerving video. Had it come loose on its own or do you think you hadnt done it up tight enough? One of the videos I watched recently said to check the bottle frequently.

I would have done it up tight at the start of the season.

Since then I found that another of mine which was not very old, had holes in the bladder where the sharp corners of folds had worn against itself.

 

[Bilgediver]

Go on do it do it do it...

Put it on TikTok you might go viral...

It is more fun and more Tik Tokish putting it on a non boaty person and letting it off. Make sure you get the facial expression as it inflates plus the sound effects.
Look forward to seeing the video on Instagram or Tik Tok.

It will cost you £12.

 

[neil_s]

Just done annual check on my LJ's - Visual, check weigh of cylinder and inflate with dinghy punp. Found a small leak in one. This was in the middle of the front of one bladder, through the red outer jacket, too. Looks like it was pressed against something sharp.

 

[lustyd]

In case it's useful https://rt-supplies.co.uk/ are generally the best and cheapest supplier of new bits.

Wear a scarf when setting it off, CO2 is cold when it comes out.

 

[Gixer]

In case it's useful https://rt-supplies.co.uk/ are generally the best and cheapest supplier of new bits.

Thanks for the link, I see they sell the inflator units separately.
Would you only replace the gas cartridge if it looks rusty or are very old? The ones on my lifejackets aren’t that old and look like new.

 

[captainboo]

It should have the weight stamped on it and if at or above that then it is good to go.

 

[Kilo]

Would you only replace the gas cartridge if it looks rusty or are very old? The ones on my lifejackets aren’t that old and look like new.

I've read somewhere, on the RT site I think that, gas cartridges don't go out of date, you need only replace them if the seal is punctured or if they're showing signs of corrosion.
The o ring seals are also a service part that might need replacing especially if the life jacket's older.

 

[lustyd]

Thanks for the link, I see they sell the inflator units separately.
Would you only replace the gas cartridge if it looks rusty or are very old? The ones on my lifejackets aren’t that old and look like new.

More importantly they tell you the expiry dates!

Yes, if the weight is good keep it. You can also buy spares individually so if you have different LJs with some matching components you don't need to keep spares for every one. I have one spare of each bottle and trigger on board plus a bunch of the little green bits which seem to break occasionally for no reason.

 

[zulloboy]

Yes, definitely do a "dry run" (ha ha) and jump in the water and inflate it. You might discover all sorts of things about what it's really like to be in the water wearing an inflated PFD. Not such an issue if you've done a sea survival course, but many many people haven't.

Cheers, Graeme

 

[bikedaft]

Main reason I manually inflate at yearly check is that with repeated use of the sharp plunger that pierces the gas bottle, it will blunt, I'd rather leave it sharp.

Same technology as gas inflation for bicycle tyres, the inflator unit has a finite lifespan.

 

[Gixer]

Main reason I manually inflate at yearly check is that with repeated use of the sharp plunger that pierces the gas bottle, it will blunt, I'd rather leave it sharp.

Same technology as gas inflation for bicycle tyres, the inflator unit has a finite lifespan.

That would make sense as to why they recommend using the oral tube to inflate the bladder. Didn't think of this, it must be quite a shock to the mech when it goes off.

I use similar systems on my MTB also.

 

[bikedaft]

It's just a sharp bit of metal. I just like to keep mine sharp ?

 

[Stemar]

I've serviced my LJs and those of friends for close to 20 years. I replace the cartridge when it goes out of date, inflate and inspect everything, but I've only ever replaced one cylinder, because it was starting to rust. I weigh the cartridges religiously, but never had one underweight.

I keep a spare cylinder and a recently expired cartridge on board, so I can do a quick recharge if one is used or just gets a bit too wet. I'm not bothered about it being a year out of date for that purpose; I did a friend's LJs and one was seven years out of date, but the cartridge went off with a satisfying pop when I dropped it into water.

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

I would have done it up tight at the start of the season.

Since then I found that another of mine which was not very old, had holes in the bladder where the sharp corners of folds had worn against itself.

Trying not to sound sanctimonious but I check the tightness of the cylinder every time I put it on, a habit probably engendered by many years of wearing club-owned LJs.