using a valise liferaft

[paddydog63]

I'vea new seago liferaft but am ashamed to say i dont know how to trigger it if needed

Be kind to a fool and explain in simple language how to use it

thanks

 

[MoodySabre]

Read the instructions?

There's a lanyard, probably tucked in a pocket on the side. Tie the lanyard to the boat and chuck the thing over the side. The lanyard triggers the CO2 and inflates it.

 

[Richard10002]

Just inside a flap on the valise, (or attached to the outside), is a line called a painter. At its' other end it is attached to the gas canister. Tie the exposed end of the painter to the boat rail, pull some painter out of the valise so you can manouvre the valise into position for launching, throw the valise overboard, pull your end of the painter until it's all out, then give it a good tug. This should fire the gas canister, the bag will explode with a bang, bursting all the stitching and zips etc., and out will pop the liferaft, inflating as it goes.

If it ends up upside down, there is a strap on the bottom for righting it. Stand on the canister, and pull the strap. It should right, (and you will fall back in the water.

Board from the boat if possible. If someone is having difficulty getting in the raft from the water, it can help to push them down, (possibly under the water), and the buoyancy of their lifejacket will give them an extra push upwards.

If you have time, get anything that might be useful off the boat and onto the raft, (flares, vhf, watercanisters, food, mirror for signalling, EPIRB, portable GPS, mobile phone/s, portable games, mp3 player/s and so on).

Once in the raft, there should be a knife attached just inside the entrance to cut the painter.

Hope you never have to put it into practice!!

Cheers

Richard

 

[paddydog63]

Thanks Richard

 

[mustntgrumble]

now you've invested in a liferaft, splash out a bit more on one of them sea survival courses - an afternoon messing with a liferaft in a swimming pool aint quite the same thing but it certainly gives food for thought

 

[photodog]

Definetley do the sea survival course from the RYA.... and get swmbo along as well. Well recommended and good fun!