Lifejackets.

[oldgit]

Convinced did not buy them that long ago, finally checked the dates ?
Arggh.........

Does one
Change bottles ?
Change that firing pin/ salt tablet thingy ?
Or simply buy new (Auto) lifejackets.

 

[dunedin]

How old are they and are they in otherwise good condition?
Suggest:
- manually inflate as hard as possible and leave for 24-48 hours to ensure stay firm holding air
- remove the cylinder and if rust free simply check weight and compare to what stamped 9n side when new
- replace the firing device with the date on - should be pretty cheap
- repack carefully
- mark last service date with a pen on the label.
Ideally should do annually - as I type this have new activator and light on desk and 4 lifejackets ready to do the annual checks.

 

[Whaup367]

UML Separate Spares Archives - RT Supplies Ltd

 

[PaulRainbow]

Convinced did not buy them that long ago, finally checked the dates ?
Arggh.........
View attachment 188650
Does one
Change bottles ?
Change that firing pin/ salt tablet thingy ?
Or simply buy new (Auto) lifejackets.

As Dunedin said (beat me to it), but the annual check doesn't include replace the firing capsule, replace that as per the date.

Just did ours, best price i could find was ; United Moulders Parts Archives - RT Supplies Ltd Very prompt service and the capsules were will in date.

If the cylinders are good you can just buy the firing capsule, if not, get the kit.

 

[oldgit]

Thanks.
Actual jackets guessing around 10 years old.
All dry stored, no mould/abrasion or corrosion anywhere , harness and crutch straps. 100%
Will start by weighting cylinders, assume weight stamped on surface ?

 

[dunedin]

Thanks.
Actual jackets guessing around 10 years old.
All dry stored, no mould/abrasion or corrosion anywhere , harness and crutch straps. 100%
Will start by weighting cylinders, assume weight stamped on surface ?

Yes, weight pressed into side. Form memory typically 190g or so. With 7 lifejackets in total, none of our cylinders have ever needed replacing (except after being fired accidentally, when tag caught in the rail stepping ashore).

 

[Boathook]

Thanks.
Actual jackets guessing around 10 years old.
All dry stored, no mould/abrasion or corrosion anywhere , harness and crutch straps. 100%
Will start by weighting cylinders, assume weight stamped on surface ?

2 weights stamped on the bottle. Empty and full, possibly GTW ? My gas bottles weigh around 150 grams or so for a 180 Newton lifejacket.

Just use the heavier weight and a reasonable digital scales. If a gram or 2 under I wouldn't worry to much as long as the bottle is in good condition as kitchen scales aren't 100% accurate.

 

[Martin_J]

If you want to buy just the black UML (Untied Moulders) capsules, you can buy them and the small plastic clips individually at Aspli..




Lifejacket spares and accessories

 

[Martin_J]

Ooh.. It does look like the link that Whaup367 posted earlier shows that RT supplies also sells the capsules and clips individually.

Sorry.. didn't spot that earlier. I'd only clicked on PaulRainbow's link that took me to the complete kits.

 

[PaulRainbow]

If you want to buy just the black UML (Untied Moulders) capsules, you can buy them and the small plastic clips individually at Aspli..
View attachment 188691
View attachment 188692


Lifejacket spares and accessories

£8.60 as opposed to the £5.95 previously linked to above ?

No need to change the clip if the firing capsule hasn't gone off.

My link has links to full kits and the individual parts.

 

[dunedin]

Ooh.. It does look like the link that Whaup367 posted earlier shows that RT supplies also sells the capsules and clips individually.

Sorry.. didn't spot that earlier.

Surely you don’t need to replace the clip, unless it has been manually triggered and hence would need cylinder as well - and May as well buy a rearming pack?
Generally only the dated but needs renewed in routine servicing.

 

[Martin_J]

It's just useful having a couple of spare clips on board in case one does get used and lost..

 

[wonkywinch]

When you inflate them, use a balloon pump, not your mouth. This avoids filling the bladder with moisture.

Edited to add - when I did my RYA Sea Survival course with HSY, lifejacket servicing was included as part of the course giving me the knowledge to DIY.

 

[oldgit]

9 Jackets on board ,will start with the cylinders.
Can probably only use this excuse to just nip down to the boat once ?


How long ? No more than an hour or two at most, Dearest.!

 

[Martin_J]

Not sure how you can leave them inflated for 24 hours in that hour or two..

Perhaps two visits to the boat needed..!!

 

[Alicatt]

When you inflate them, use a balloon pump, not your mouth. This avoids filling the bladder with moisture.

Edited to add - when I did my RYA Sea Survival course with HSY, lifejacket servicing was included as part of the course giving me the knowledge to DIY.

When we did our RYA PB2 in 2023 the instructor went through checking and servicing the life jackets with us. Our last trip back to Scotland my wife bought herself a new automatic lifejacket, she says it is far more comfortable to wear than her old one.

My own lifejacket was checked last October by the waterpolice, their only comment about it was that it was better than the ones they are issued.

 

[Martin_J]

It also takes time to fit new capsules and to re-pack them all..

You have to be slightly more organised than me..



What you don't want to do is to get them all packed and realise you have one new capsule left over..

Then find when you're checking again, it's the last one you check that needed it..

 

[wonkywinch]

9 Jackets on board ,will start with the cylinders.
Can probably only use this excuse to just nip down to the boat once ?


How long ? No more than an hour or two at most, Dearest.!

Bear in mind, unless the boat is coded, it's not usual to change the CO2 cylinders unless they are spent or rusty.

 

[Refueler]

Bear in mind, unless the boat is coded, it's not usual to change the CO2 cylinders unless they are spent or rusty.

Cylinders generally do not have Expiry Dates on ... so where is this Coding req't coming from ??

The replacement is based on cylinder condition / weight of ...

 

[wonkywinch]

Cylinders generally do not have Expiry Dates on ... so where is this Coding req't coming from ??

The replacement is based on cylinder condition / weight of ...

Only because I seem to always see job lots of cylinders for sale. I assumed they might have a "rusty or 10 years, whichever sooner" thing in SOLAS.