Check Your Lifejackets

[KenMcCulloch]

Last year I bought 2 new Seago 175N Hammar Harness Lifejackets, chosen because of their excellent published test results. Imagine my surprise when a routine test inflation this winter showed both to be loosing air (not going flat straight away but distinct loss of pressure over 24 hours).

I spoke to Simon Cash-Reed, MD of Seago who could not have been more helpful. They have confirmed that there is a fault (still being investigated but probably the valve in the inflation tube failing to seal perfectly) and I am to expect 2 new lifejackets and a few goodwill gifts in the post tomorrow.

So check yours (whatever brand) if you have not already done so this winter. I would particularly advise anyone who bought the same model as mine last Spring to do so in case there is a batch fault.

 

[davidbains]

If there really is a faulty batch Seago should be recalling them!

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
If there really is a faulty batch Seago should be recalling them!

[/ QUOTE ] And if there is I am sure they will. They will only know if there is more than a very small number affected once people check them however.

 

[captainhaddock]

Assuming that these faults have been present since your lifejackets were manufactured, that must mean that, either they were not actually tested before they left the factory - or else if tests are carried out, they are inadequate? Worrying!

 

[bastonjock]

did you check them by oral inflation or using the gas bottle?

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
Assuming that these faults have been present since your lifejackets were manufactured, that must mean that, either they were not actually tested before they left the factory - or else if tests are carried out, they are inadequate? Worrying!

[/ QUOTE ] Seago Simon explained their test procedures to me. All LJ's are inflated and left for 24 hrs, then deflated and packed. It's possible therefore that the fault could have arisen either as an artefact of the test and deflation/packing process, or indeed as a consequence of my oral inflating technique.

My own view is that possible failures of inflation mechanisms are an inherent risk in inflatable LJs, I am prepared to accept the compromise between the absolute reliability of a solid buoyancy device which I would never wear, and something light and convenient but very slightly less reliable.

 

[KenMcCulloch]

[ QUOTE ]
did you check them by oral inflation or using the gas bottle?

[/ QUOTE ]Oral inflation. It's what you are supposed to do once a year or so.