Now lets be honest .... How many check fully their LifeJackets ?

[Mirelle]

What had happened...

All three lifejackets with empty gas bottles had United Moulders auto-inflation systems which had triggered and emptied the gas bottle without inflating the jacket.

Since the bottles appeared to be firmlt screwed home, I am at a bit of a loss to understand this.

 

[tome]

Re: A shocking result:

All our LJs are Crewsaver 150N with Hammar units. It's actually very easy to remove and weigh the cylinders, which we do annually. There is no need for any special tools or equipment. The procedure is fully described in the CD which comes with each LJ. If you need a copy PM me

The cylinders are marked with a minimum weight - be warned that this varies with different cylinders

I wouldn't mix LJs from choice as it makes safety briefings more complex if there are more than one type in use. I posted this previously, but here is our 2006 inspection

 

[Guest]

Keeping record ...

LJ's ........ the label inside once the flaps are opened up should have an area for writing in ballpoint pen date / signature etc. for service / checks. There is no reason why YOU can't write here - I do. Yes it is supposed to be there for Service Agents to record on .... but there is no reg. / rule that says you cannot use it also. That way you have record particular to that LJ - not in some book that may get stowed away and hard to find.

OK - Racy-lady has passed it on ..... Cylinder will have min wt and also design CO2 weight stamped on ... Min wt = empty - about 138 - 142g, design wt CO2 ... about 33 - 38g for 150N LJ. (I did want people to actually look !!)

 

[Mirelle]

Caution!!! PLEASE READ!!!

SimonCr's post made me realise what had happened to my three "failed" autoinflate lifejackets.

I had read the "M" notice about the bottles tending to come unscrewed in Hammar type lifejackets and had gone round all our lifejackets carefully screwing the bottles home. Several were loose.

What I had not realised, or thought to check, was that the autoinflator might have triggered and discharged the CO2 bottle whilst the bottle was not screwed home, so the jacket did not inflate.

It seems that this had happened three times, in the past two years, that being the period since I last checked the lifejackets.

So - be warned. If you find the bottle loose, in a non - Hammar type automatic lifejacket, LOOK AT THE TRIGGER DEVICE and see if it has "fired" before you calmly screw the bottle home and assume that you have done all that is necessary and all is well!