Lifejacket 'time expired'

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Sailfish156

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Hi I have a virtually new automatic lifejacket (been worn twice only). The cartridge is intact and it has never been fired. The firing mechanism has an expiry date - is it safe to use the jacket?

Why is an expiry date put on the mechanism - my understanding is that these are generally a soluble tablet, so how does this expire with time?

Hope someone can advise me.
 
It will almost certainly work, but as it has an expiry date perhaps better to replace it just in case. Sounds like a Hanmar mechanism which does not use a soluble tablet.
 
Over time the soluble tablet degrades: it may initiate without being immersed or may fail to go off when required. The soluble tablet holds back a spring which is what actually punctures the CO2 cartridge and that spring may weaken over time. Both factors suggest that you should replace the bobbin at the time suggested.
 
Tranona said:
It will almost certainly work, but as it has an expiry date perhaps better to replace it just in case. Sounds like a Hanmar mechanism which does not use a soluble tablet.
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Yes, the Hanmar type of inflator has an expiry date but the other type that has a soluble tablet/bobbin has the date of manufacture printed on the bobbin and the replacement date is specified as "Shelf life plus service life not to exceed six (6) years from Date Code. Replace (Discard) bobbin within a maximum of six (6) years from Date Code." Max shelf life 3 years plus max service life 3 years.

Www.solocoastalsailing.co.uk
 
Although many people report bobbins working past their due date, and this has been e case when I have checked, the question is - would you be happy with an out-of-date jacket loaned to you when sailing on someone else's boat?
 
Sailfish156 said:
Hi I have a virtually new automatic lifejacket (been worn twice only). The cartridge is intact and it has never been fired. The firing mechanism has an expiry date - is it safe to use the jacket?

Why is an expiry date put on the mechanism - my understanding is that these are generally a soluble tablet, so how does this expire with time?

Hope someone can advise me.
Click to expand...
I renewed all the firing mechanisms on the 4 jackets, easy to do, did as my German neighbour said afterwards, made a note in the ships log!
The CO2 bottles have a weight stamped on them, if you weigh them on a kitchen scales and they are the correct weight, no need to replace unless they have gone rusty.
I put the 4 old mechanisms in a bucket of water, 3 popped immediately and one took its time, They were about 5 years out of date!
 
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Enjoyed a hilarious five minutes on the London underground last month, when my mate and I had just delivered a boat, and were taking the tube back to St Kats were in a train, when his lifejacket went off for no apparent reason at all.

The commuters were all laughing their asses off, while I indicated, in true airline steward style where the emergency exits were located, which made 'em laugh even more!

Expiry date 2010 :disgust:
 
The manufacturer of my lifejackets (secumar) used to give a 12 month expiry on their soluble pills. Two years ago that changed to four years; pills look identical. I have a large sack of expired ones which I am sure would work fine, but I make sure they are always replaced on expiry for the reasons johnalison hints at: I don’t want to offer guests (or my family) any safety kit I might have reason to doubt.
 
Minn said:
In a spirit of enquiry, I tried a 2002 Crewsaver last week. It performed perfectly and stayed well inflated for 24 hours. The performance of the LJ was so good that instead of throwing it away I replaced the bottle and bobbin.
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I had the same experience with a lj my parents no longer used. 2002 date stamped. Fully inflated and stayed inflated for 24 hours. However this lj was stored in the dry attic. If it had been kicking around at bottom of a locker maybe the results would have been different. Refurbing the ljs every few years isn't pricey and buys peace of mind.
 
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