Lifejackets part 2.

[TheBoatman]

On Saturday I helped out at one of the RNLI free LJ check days and the results were somewhat alarming
Whilst most of the jackets were serviceable or if you want, fit for use, the amount that was found with faults was somewhat surprising to me. These faults would have meant that the jacket would not have inflated should the wearer have entered the water. A quick list!
1. Gas bottles loose or not screwed in and lying loose inside the jacket.
2. Gas bottles that had fired/leaked and were empty.
3. Leaking bladders.
4. Crushed mouth inflator which let the air/gas straight out again.

So fellow members why not just take a quick squiz at your LJ’s and un-screw the bottle check it and screw it back in tightly and then blow it up by mouth to see if it holds air?

Alternatively take it to the next free RNLI LJ check and let them do it for you.

BTW for those interested it was approx. 10 failures in 41 checked.


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[Mirelle]

oohh...errr

Thank you for that.

Memo to self - lifeackets!

<hr width=100% size=1>Que scais-je?

 

[Moose]

I know somebody who had a load of British Airways lifejackets. He has had them for 20 odd years and decided to chuck one in the marina the other week, it worked perfectly, the light came on and the whistle worked, I think they are meant to be serviced every 6 months!!

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[A1Sailor]

Haven't there been warnings about this posted all over the place by, among others, the RYA, MCA, DTI and RNLI? They basically said "check your lifejackets"......

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[Windfall]

After being convinced that ours (at least 10yrs old and although HWMO says he's serviced them the household accountant hasn't seen any documentary evidence!) I decided that I wanted a newer, more comfortable one.

So we went home, geared up the bath & the children and threw my lifejacket in....where it promptly did nothing /forums/images/icons/frown.gif. Just about resisted the ' I told you sos' and rushed off to try his. Guess what? It inflated immediately /forums/images/icons/shocked.gif.

Erm.....back to the household accounts.....has he increased the policy recently....has he been planning the perfect murder?/forums/images/icons/wink.gif

Anyway can't find any Sowester re-arming kits so now he has a new lifejacket too, but a salutary lesson and the new ones will be checked.

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[janie]

Do you find that the strap comes across the bust, and is most uncomfortable? It doesn't seem to make any difference which make I try - I don't think that they're designed long enough for women!

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[Talbot]

I had some old beaufort lifejackets that seemed to be fine. I blew them up hard every year and left them and they were ok, but I decided to check a CO2 inflation, and it blew apart the seams, as did all the others. So just an oral inflation is not good enough.

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[LadyInBed]

Re:#3

Yes, I've heard this can be a problem bought on by age /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

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[TheBoatman]

Re:#3

Nige
Leave my bladder out of this thank you very much,,swine<s>.

I'll have you know that me bladder was checked and found to be in full working order, so there!

According to the RNLI chappies if I ever pull me toggle, I'll get instant filling of me bladder with no way to empty it unless I poke some type of gismo down the end of my "if you need to add more air to your bladder use the tube provided" thingy.

Unfortunatly due to my age (sorry LJ's age) my gismo fell off years ago so I can't deflate me bladder but then I think why would I want to do that if I'm actively relying on a full bladder?

According to some of the more rakish members of this forum [like ken,Jimi and oldsaltz] they recommend using beer to fill yer bladder but I'm not convinced I'll float?

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[Colin_S]

Re:#3

In the interest of self preservation, I've just manually inflated my jacket and given it a good squeeze and it seems to hold pressure OK but I'm buggered if I can get all the velcro to go back in place now I've let the air back out of it.

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[TheBoatman]

Re:#3

Colin
You've seen through my ruse, I only posted this thread so that I watch all you sailor types wandering around with open necked LJ's <s>.

Useful tip,,,try not to fold the bladder along the same lines as before, helps stop wear at the folds.

Peter.

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[Windfall]

I agree there are lots of practical things that don't seem to consider the female anantomy....p'haps there's a market opportunity here?

But re' the bust issue....I've sent you a PM

Sharon

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[milltech]

My dear, if you must undertake unnatural pursuits not suited to ladies, such as driving cars or sailing, you must expect a little discomfort.

(ducks to avoid flaming)

<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[Gunfleet]

Ladies\' Lifejackets

You may suffer discomfort but most women have one huge advantage over men while sailing - their height. Anywhere between 5' & 5'8" seems about perfect. Those of us in the 6ft range have scars all over our heads! Good luck with the search for the perfect ladies' life jacket. I'm sure my wife would be pleased to know what answer you find.

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[Colin_S]

Revenge will be so sweet.

Better start looking over your shoulder 'cos someone with a poorly folded lifejacket is out to get you............