Jayayecee
New Member
When doing winter check on life jackets I was always careful to blow them up with a pump to avoid introducing moisture. I have lately been told this is not necessary. What is good practice folks
Life jacket servicing
- Thread starter Jayayecee
- Start date
neil_s
Well-Known Member
I inflate mine with the dinghy pump, too. Just as easy as blowing.
Boathook
Well-Known Member
I use a balloon pump because I heard that putting extra moisture into the bladders caused problems. More to the point I don't have the puff to inflate 4 jackets at a time!
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In camping circles it is generally recognised that inflating sleeping pads by mouth will cause internal mould from water vapour. If you have the option use an inflator of some sort.
MikeCC
Well-Known Member
Not so much the moisture as the bacteria you blow in. As far as I understand, it won't cause a problem with bladder material now. But why would you, given the choice?
penfold
Well-Known Member
I too use a pump when inflating to test, it seems an easy precaution to take.
bitbaltic
Well-Known Member
An inflate/deflate pump to pump air in and suck it out again and make sure the bladders pack flat. Jackets have had this routine for 9 seasons with no problems.
alan_d
Well-Known Member
How do you deal with the valve when deflating with a pump? I inflate with a pump but deflate manually, sucking out the last of the air by mouth using my tongue to depress the valve.
Helidan
Well-Known Member
You shouldn't need to remove every last bit of air in order to pack the lifejacket successfully. And you should be careful using a pump to deflate due to the possibility of oral tube valve damage.