life jackets

[nigelmercier]

I just use an old dinghy footpump. ...

Yup, I even made an adaptor.

 

[prv]

Yup, I even made an adaptor.

I don't bother, just hold the nozzle against the tube.

I service the Jon Buoy alongside the lifejackets (apart from the bladder being larger and a funny shape, the technology is identical), and since that takes longer to inflate I do tape the pump nozzle onto the oral tube.

Pete

 

[xeitosaphil]

I just use an old dinghy footpump. I think when people say "dry air", they're referring to the moisture in breath which would go into the bladder if you blew the jacket up by mouth. They don't mean some kind of artificially dehumidified air supply.

Older lifejackets were susceptible to damage if left with dampness inside the bladder from oral inflation. Newer ones (as in the last ten years or more) are reportedly immune to that problem and the manufacturers say it's ok to blow them up by mouth for servicing. But even so it seems a bit unhygienic, and the footpump is easier anyway, so that's what I use.

Pete

Thanks Pete for enlightening me, will get the Avon pump out and try it.

I did wonder about the moisture in breath inflation, and as mine is a Crewsaver of around 2001 vintage, not quite sure what their recommendations were for it?
Will in future use the foot pump, and as Nigel has done try and make an adapter for the purpose.

Philip

 

[Slowtack]

Inflated all our lifejackets last weekend. All but one are auto 150N and they had no leaks except the most expensive one- a Secumar 275N, also one of the newest. It has an excellent heavy duty harness, no other faults and the bladder insert looks easily removed but I have not found any source for a replacement insert. Seems wasteful not to mind expensive to bin the whole thing but will have to unless a certified insert is availlable.

 

[andygc]

Thanks Pete for enlightening me, will get the Avon pump out and try it.

I did wonder about the moisture in breath inflation, and as mine is a Crewsaver of around 2001 vintage, not quite sure what their recommendations were for it?
Will in future use the foot pump, and as Nigel has done try and make an adapter for the purpose.

Philip

If you have lungs you don't need a pump. From the Crewsaver website http://www.crewsaver.co.uk/Inflatable_Lifejacket_Manual/Lifejacket_Care_and_Maintenance/index.html

3. Check the air holding properties of the Lifejacket by inflating orally and leaving overnight. If air loss does occur, return the Lifejacket to Crewsaver for inspection.

Moisture in exhaled air causes no problems with lifejackets which use bladder materials introduced since the Mae West went out of service.

 

[Dave_Seager]

Automatic inflation mechanisms are quite easy to service. There are three main types, Halkey Roberts, Standard Mouldings and Hammad.

Halkey Roberts have a salt bobbin with a manufacturing date printed on it. They should be replaced when three years old.

Both of the other types are marked with expiry dates and should be replaced when that date is reached.

Gas cylinders are marked with a minimum weight which can be used to check for leakage.