Just for fun!

[Ian_Edwards]

When I serviced my life jackets in March, I kept 2, time expired, UM Auto cartridges, they were dated 8-21, so just out of date.
I tried them in a sink of water, about 150mm deep, just to see if they would fire. They both fired within a second or two.

20220421 135030 1 1 1

I wasn't sure what to expect when they fired, having never tested on before, but there's obviously quite a kick.

 

[Stemar]

I tested some that were 7 years out of date. They all went off fine, but I replaced them because you only need one failure to have to explain to the coroner

 

[Ian_Edwards]

The post wasn't meant to imply that you shouldn't change them when they reach the retirement date. I'd expect there to be a good safety margin on anything safety critical, just to be sure they will operate, and to ensure that they'll all operated at whatever extreem of the manufacturing tolerance they leave the factory at.
I check all 8 of the life jackets I have on board, every spring, before they go back on the boat, by changing the cartridge, if it is out of date, inflating the life jacket and leaving it inflated for least 24hr, and weighing the CO2 cylinder and compairing it the log of last years weight.
Just me being curious about how they activatate. I never seen one go off before, and I wasn't sure what was going to happen, which is why I used the title "just for fun".

 

[MoodySabre]

I recommend that you jump in the sea with one on next time you want to test one. The kick is quite uncomfortable and your ability to swim is compromised. Without the LJ being done up fairly tight and a crotch strap it will be worse than useless. As for someone getting you back on board………

Get together with some friends and try these things - it is very instructive.

 

[Ian_Edwards]

I've done the offshore survival course many times over the years. On various occations that has involved jumping off a high platform into a pool with waves crashing about, and then swimming over to a rope scramble net and clambering out.
Yes, you can't really swim with an inflated life jacket on. Just swim on your back as best you can!