Jon Buoy Inflatable Rescue Sling - what is this string for?

[doraymefa]

When unpacking my sling to check it over I have been baffled by the purpose of the thin white string which attaches the bottom of the soluable cartridge inflator to the boat end of the gold and red flecked floating line?
It would appear to serve no purpose other than to put strain on the grey cap on the bottom of the firing mechanism or to interrupt your throw to the casualty until the string breaks. Unless it is part of the firing mechanism?
Can anyone enlighten me? With thanks.

 

[duncan99210]

The grey cap is a waterproof cover for the automatic capsule. It has to be removed before the water can get to the capsule to initiate the gas cartridge. Is the white cord tied off to the container, so that when you extract the buoy from it, the cap is pulled off the capsule?
Otherwise, I’d regard it as a safety measure to be removed before mounting the buoy on the pushpit rail.

 

[doraymefa]

Duncan that is a good suggestion but the grey cap is fused to the black plastic. There is no mention of the string in the set up or deployment instructions.
It is at this stage I have to admit that I discovered that the cylinder was empty whilst the green plastic safety indicator is still in place. I wonder if that is relevant and how long it has been empty? This might be a question for the manufacturer...

 

[duncan99210]

The gas cartridge can be activated manually by pulling on the red toggle or by water getting to the soluble button in the capsule. The empty cartridge suggests that someone pulled the red toggle to inflate the buoy. The gas mechanism is made by United Moulders and is the same as used in perhaps 50% of lifejackets,
Ive no idea why the cap is there if it’s been bonded in place!