Servicing lifejackets

Cardo

Cardo

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 Oct 2005
Messages
4,231
Location
In a plastic tub!
www.yacht-tinkerbell.co.uk
Yes, I know this has no doubt come up zillions of times before. But hey, it's better than an anchor thread!

Before we head back into the mean ol' sea (even if it is the relative calm of the Med ;) ) I've decided to service our lifejackets.

As per Spinlock's instructions, I've opened them up and inflated the bladders (using a pump, not by mouth!). Checked them over and they're in pretty good nick, seeing as they've rarely been out in bad weather.
So now they're sitting on the bed for the next 24 hours to make sure they're not leaking (too badly).

Question is, on mine the firing pin expired last year and the light will expire later this year.
The Mrs's LJ has a firing pin that's good until later this year, and the light is good until next year.

Quick look on Force4 (and MarineSuperstore) only shows Spinlock's fancy new pylon light, at £35! Firing pin recharge kits come with new 33g canisters. The ones on the jackets haven't been fired so don't need replacing. If we keep replacing all these bits, we'll end up with loads of unused bits!

Realistically, how imperative is it that all parts are in date? We have a spare recharge kit with a firing pin that doesn't expire until next year, so I can replace one of them with that, for another year...
 
hi, ive been working on rescue boats and supply vessels and servicing safety equipment for a LONG time, with regard to your lights, no problem, I came across a light out of date by three years this trip, worked perfect, I would advise to keep the rest of the parts up to date, a faulty part for inflation will/could cost you in a situation, but then its like sell by dates on tins.................the risk you take :)
 
MASH said:
How does/can a firing pin have an expiry date? What happens to it?
Click to expand...

The old type (salt tablet) can cause the lifejacket to self inflate, we had an old spare stored in a locker...

Don't know about the new type - worst case it won't fire when you need it - why take the chance?

The firing mechanism reacts with water and releases the firing pin.
 
I bought a second-hand lifejacket with an auto firing head that was about five years out of date (which I was a bit miffed the seller didn't mention, actually!).

I dunked it (just the head) in a sink full of water, and it went pop immediately. I don't regret having bought a new one though, and would probably do so again.

(You ought to be able to buy just the bits you need without having to get compete kits, though.)

Pete
 
Slight warning:
We serviced our LJs this weekend (our lights are all out of date, but working fine with good voltages)

By inflating with a pump, you will keep dry (ish) air into the bladder, but you haven't then tested the ability for you to blow up the LJ manually by mouth.
We had one valve which was difficult to inflate manually - this will be changed today.
We also weigh the cylinders (ours are 33g) to ensure contents are still there!
Look for chafe on all panels and seams, and take the opportunity to add reflective 3M tape as we find the manufacturers are a bit mean with it.
 
Servicing Lifejackets

I have done hundreds at work, and also do my own. It is a simple job, but if you are heading down this way you have to think about certification!
I recently serviced our 10 lifejackets, replacing out of date firing heads and lights (individually sourced from UK).
Then I took the lifejackets to a service agent and had them certified, at a cost of about 10 euros each. Unfortunately certification is necessary here.

Cheers,

Michael.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top