Lifejacket repair

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NFCN

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I was doing the usual winter thing of orally inflating my lifejackets, weighing CO2 canisters, checking lights etc when I discovered that one of my lifejackets (it's an Ocean Passage MkII model) has a pinhole tear in the bladder and thus deflates quite quickly when blown up.

Any ideas for how to repair it or, if necessary for a repairer (near Gosport) - and costs?

Thanks

Nick
 
Just think of yourself or another falling over the side and finding the repair didn't work .. Suppose its like climbing with worn out rope .. Bungie jumping with perished bungie .. Sorry mate .. Time for a new one .. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
While on this topic: has anyone any strong views or experience on lifejackets which are prone to failure?
I have a Cr*ws*v*r which has been going donkey's years and still looks good - passes inflation test with flying colours, remaining inflated until my patience runs out - others from same maker which I have replaced after a few seasons.
Do they have a best-before date?
 
On a similar, life risking, theme, in the late 70’s when I was motor racing, I got a slow puncture during practice, as we did not have the £120, a lot of money in 79, for a new tyre, we repaired it for the race with a big blob of super glue inside. Quite frightening now with mature hinesight.
 
No idea how you repair them but I'd be interested to know how and where it has failed. I have two of these as well as two Crewsavers and the Ocean Passage pair seem much more robustly made than the Crewsavers. They have a separate cover for the bladder. Has the bladder been caught in the zip when repacked? I've just inspected mine and they are as good as new inside.

It seems to me that knowing the cause of the failure is rather important since on average the thing has probably been US for 6 months.
 
Most lifejackets have glued seams when new don't they? So what makes people so paranoid about glueing a patch on? Most people are quite happy with cycle tube patches.

OK, salt & dirt may cause problems, but given it passes the "Annual Service" tests it should be perfectly fine. BoT used to specify Kapok lifejackets when Kapok was known to get waterlogged after about 12 hours. I might not want to use it in serious conditions but it would be great fun for kids to play with in the summer, or as a spare for an unexpected guest - definitely better that nowt!
 
Thanks Searush for a welcome practical alternative view!
Of course I take lifejacket maintenance seriously - hence the winter checking routine during which discovered the fault - but at £80 a pop, replacement is expensive. As it happens it's a case of only partial deflation for some reason - it would still keep someone afloat - and it will become my 6th lifejacket, in reserve, and not be used except in extremis. Perhaps I will go and find the bicycle repair kit, which had been my instinct...

Ruffles, the culprit was a fish hook, or my children depending on your view on ultimate guilt! So no concerns over the lifejacket per se.

Nick
 
Surely the topic revolves around whether fault is due to wear on the bladder or accidental rupture by mishandling. If wear and tear - then I think replace entire jacket - life is far more precious. But if fault is because of outside / accidental mishandling - then localised repair is fair solution.
 
At £80 it is presumablyl from a reputable manufacturer - it would be worth calling them to see if they can replace the bladder(or supply replacement for you to fit).

I wouldn't use a bike repair patch, but if determined to do a diy repair I would look at using something like inflatable dinghy repair kit.
 
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