Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Carry an inflatable PFD? Do the twist...
PFD INFLATION FAILURE DUE TO FALSE-POSITIVE SERVICE INDICATORS AND
INCORRECT CO2 CYLINDER INSTALLATION The U.S. Coast Guard has been made aware of a potential problem when installing CO2 cylinders that have bayonet tips in inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs or life jackets). If a cylinder is not properly installed, the PFD will not inflate with CO2. The problem may affect several thousand PFDs, but the Coast Guard is only aware of one incident to date. Some Mustang, Protexion, and Stearns/SOSpenders PFDs using Halkey-Roberts' inflators can indicate a green "Ready" status when the CO2 cylinder is not properly installed. This false positive green indication occurs when the cylinder-bayonet assembly is inserted in the inflator, not turned, and the cylinder is not ejected. Cylinders with bayonet tips are designed to be pushed in and turned 1/8th turn clockwise to a full stop to secure the cylinder. When the cylinder is not turned to secure it in place, the PFD will not inflate with CO2. The PFD may still be inflated orally. If the CO2 cylinder is not turned, the mechanism is supposed to eject it. In some production units a false positive green indication can be achieved by simply pushing the cylinder into the mechanism without turning it 1/8th turn to a full stop. According to the consumer report, a user was led to believe the cylinder-bayonet was properly engaged without turning it due to the firm seating of the cylinder-bayonet, which also prevented the cylinder-bayonet from ejecting as designed. Consumers should check the model number of the PFD (located on the manufacturer's label) to see if your PFD is affected. The models numbers a Manufacturer PFD Model # Contact Number Mustang Survival Customer Service 3870 Mustang Way Bellingham, WA 98226 USA MC1900 Automatic MC1900HR Automatic w/ Harness MD0100 LIFT Vest Manual MD0200 LIFT Vest Automatic MD3081 Manual MD3082 Manual with Harness MD3083 Automatic MD3084 Automatic w/ Harness All colors and Styles 1-800-526-0532 (USA) 1-800-661-6181 (CAN) www.mustangsurvival.com Protexion Products Inc. 643 Speedvale Ave W Guelph Ontario N1K 1E6 CANADA NIV3000, Manual NIV3500, Manual with Harness NIV4000, Automatic NIV4500, Automatic with Harness 1-800-268-3112 www.nautilusbyprotexion.com Stearns Inc. 1100 Stearns Drive Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 (also SOSpenders) 38MLNG, Manual 38MHRN, Manual w/ Harness 24MSPT, Manual 38MREG, Manual 38MBP, Manual 38ASSTD, Automatic 38ASHAR, Automatic w/ Harness 38ASPRO, Automatic 38CHR, Automatic and Manual 1469, Automatic 1473, Automatic with Harness 1-800-328-3208 EXT 1 www.stearnsinc.com Updated cylinder installation instructions are on the home pages of manufacturers' websites and at the Coast Guard website listed below. Review and follow the instructions. Check your device to ensure that the inserted CO2 cylinder-bayonet has been fully turned clockwise prior to use. If your PFD inflator does not eject an unturned cylinder-bayonet, contact the PFD manufacturer for servicing |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
Inflatable for tender dinghy | General | |||
Launching inflatable boat from beach, but need wheels? | General | |||
Dinghy Dogs better than an inflatable boat | Cruising | |||
what Tools to carry when boating? | General | |||
FS: Achilles Inflatable Boat $495 o/t in Seattle | Marketplace |