Auto inflating life-jackets

[chaskins]

Hi,

This is probably a really noddy question but I'm going to ask it anyway.

I have been bought two auto-inflating life jackets and I was just wondering under what circumstanses do they inflate. Is it when they are submerged or would heavey rain be enough to set them off?

Thanks

Chris

[swginn]

Rain won't set them off, they would have to be submerged.

Be sure to service the lifejacket every yr to be sure the auto inflation valve is operating correctly though. Sometimes they don't go off, which is ok if you've fallen off a pontoon by accident and don't wanna have to buy a refill, but rather worrying when you're out in a F6-7 and you've got an Opti behind you

edit: sorry forgot to mention the salt tablet ones can go off from time to time without being submerged as Louise pointed out

[Louise]

Chris, what type of auto lifejackets are they?

One type uses a salt tablet which triggers the jacket to inflate when it dissolves. This kind can occasionally go off when you don't want it to, e.g. if the lifejacket gets very wet. Just ask Mr Kennett...

The other 'hammar' type works by water pressure so is not likely to inflate 'accidentally'.

HTH

[Squirrel]

Originally Posted by Louise

Chris, what type of auto lifejackets are they?

One type uses a salt tablet which triggers the jacket to inflate when it dissolves. This kind can occasionally go off when you don't want it to, e.g. if the lifejacket gets very wet. Just ask Mr Kennett...

The other 'hammar' type works by water pressure so is not likely to inflate 'accidentally'.

HTH

You can tell because Hammar ones are significantly more expensive!

We have Hammars for the grown ups, but couldn't get junior ones, so had to have tablet release ones for the kids. Which is a pain because the kids are more likely to get them wet inadvertantly!

My Crewsaver Hammar release jackets have an indicator on the release mechanism to indicate when it should be replaced.

[chaskins]

These are the ones,
http://www.compass24.com/cgi-bin/abn...rnliste=548609

It doesn't say which type they are. Is there anything obvious on the jacket themselves that would give me a clue?

Thanks

Chris

[Louise]

I've just had a quick look on their website and they are advertising a 'Hammar-release life jacket' for £89-95 which leads me to think that the ones you have are the salt tablet ones, which are usually cheaper, as Squirrel says. You could always get in touch with Compass - or wait for a RIBnet member to say 'Yeah, I've got one of those and it's the ???? type'!

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by chaskins

It doesn't say which type they are

In that case they are salt tablet - the Hammar type will always be mentioned

Is there anything obvious on the jacket themselves that would give me a clue?

Yes - the price - at that price they will be salt tablet ones.
Also the description: "Upon contact with water the jacket automatically inflates" rather than being immersed in water to a depth greater than 10cm.

[Richard B]

Originally Posted by Squirrel

My Crewsaver Hammar release jackets have an indicator on the release mechanism to indicate when it should be replaced.

R U sure? I think that only the date label on the pressure device tells this. The coloured indicator only indicates whether the device has fired or not if I remember correctly.

[chaskins]

Yeah I'm thinking they are the tablet ones

Oh well will do for now and just don't go out in the rain

I will contact compass though to confirm.

Thanks again for your help.

[pmorgan]

It’s a guess but I think the soluble type, as if you go back to the lifejackets home page (1/3 of the way down) they have a different type that specifies that it is a hammar one and they are more expensive.

http://www.compass24.com/cgi-bin/abn...jackets#548609

[pmorgan]

Dam - People are quick on the draw this afternoon !

[Richard B]

[Nick Hearne]

HI I have cheap compass ones & have had then in rain, sea spray etc with out any problems!
They really do have to get very wet to go off!
Nick

[Richard B]

Just don't leave one in a locker on the boat!

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by Richard B

Just don't leave one in a locker on the boat!

Yes would agree, but still do this even when wet & still OK!

[pmorgan]

Maybe it is broken !

[Nick Hearne]

Originally Posted by pmorgan

Maybe it is broken !

[Erin]

AFAIK hammer lifejackets have the gas cylinder hidden inside the inflatable bladder (downside being you can't see it to check for corrosion) whereas normal salt tablet types have the cylinder exposed.

Hammer mechanisms are also usually yellow. So open up the bottom of the jacket (velcro or zip) and take a look.

[David Hickman]

I sell the Crewsaver Freedom 150n Hammer Auto for £72.00 each for customers who have done courses. I can get all the Crewsaver Range as was appointed as an agent earlier this year. Hamer Action 150 Crewfit = £85.95 each.
It comes down to personal choice but if crewsaver are good enough for the RNLI then they are enough for me.
There has been some concern over the hammer action which has been voiced by th US CG but I have not seen any evidence of a problem.
I have either Manual Gas or Hammer action. I have had the Tablet activated once go off in lockers etc.

[Paul Glatzel]

Sorry to be a lifejacket 'sad-ie' but you can tell it is not Hammar as the pull toggle is round with a cord rather than the square one you get with Hammar with a square rubber 'cord'

Paul