Red wrote in :

Anyone have any knowledge or experience with the hydrostatic release
module that is inside the case that launches the EPIRB when the boat is
sinking? Specifically the one I am inquiring about is the Hammar model
H20 E. It says on the top that you should replace after 2 years of
"use", but what if the unit was manufactured longer than a few years
prior? If the manufacture date is 2005, but has been deployed in the
case for only one year since purchase - would the unit still be good and
reliable? I am not familiar with the internal workings of these units,
are they a form of explosive charge (making them more susceptible to
failures over time similar to flares), or just spring loaded? Any other
info I should know? Thanks
Red

I have one of these and have found the replacement hydrostatic release part
on the Internet. This is the same part that I have on my liferaft.

I believe that it's a mechanical part with a sharp blade that cuts the
rubber retaining rob in the EPIRB unit and (I think) a line for the life
raft. I tend to replace them every 2 years. They aren't cheap.

I've taken an old unit diving with me to see if it would "fire". It did
and there wasn't any explosive sound. I suspect that it's a pressure
activated release on a spring. The problem is that there's no way to
inspect it and it's a one time use device.

-- Geoff
www.GeoffSchultz.org