life rafts selfservice

[cid]

Hi again,what is to stop you servicing your own life raft?.A great deal has been posted about the shortcommings of service outfits on the forum,so why not do it yourself.I know you have to have the certification if you race.So lets have views on the pros and cons.Does anybody run a course on this.

 

[TigaWave]

In this climate the biggest risk I would think is packing it in high humidity, or test inflating with moist air. As it will spend much of its time cold this will lead to condensation internally and possible perishing/rotting.

I always watch mine being packed, I ask the tester to leave it inflated until I arrive and then I can see what is going in it. This is all done in a humidity controlled room.

 

[absit_omen]

[ QUOTE ]
So lets have views on the pros and cons

[/ QUOTE ]

Pros: It is a very cheap alternative.

Cons: It probably will not work when you need it.

 

[alorwin]

Would think that it would make a great get out opportunity for an insurance company .

 

[vyv_cox]

There has been a thread on this quite recently. I know several people who do their own, it's not particularly difficult. OTOH I don't think any of them have ever needed the raft in anger.

 

[chriscallender]

Hi

Does anyone happen to know, are the replacement CO2 cylinders and other things that may need to be replaced freely available? Well I guess flares etc are nothing special, so maybe the question is just about CO2... at least I know there are pretty many different threads and sizes for lifejackets.


Chris

 

[PeterGibbs]

I have my valise liferaft checked, as required, every 3 years by a major service centre, and I know it is inflated by outisde means, not using the integral cyclinder. This is weighed for contents but left alone. I am told this is in my interests. I am being trustful.

DIY servicing? Is that ever in one's interests? I take the view on this one that you need the experience of the experts to spot any defects: I am an amateur in this area, and lives could hang on it. Including mine.

PWG

 

[Sandy.]

GREAT IDEA. What about PBO doing an article on it. After all parachutists pack their own chutes, don't they?

We could also add some of our own goodies such as quality batteries more water etc, assuming space allows of coures.

 

[Billjratt]

If you know what you're looking for, (otherwise why unpack it?) take copious photos or a video of the unpacking process, so you can get it back in the box again...
The cylinder is not used to inflate, it is weighed and inspected for rust.
Remember it's the structural condition of the liferaft you are inspecting that matters, water and flares can be brought aboard in the grab-bag.

 

[maxi77]

Perhaps if more of us did understand how it was done and what we should be looking for there would be fewer disater stories about dodgy liferafts.