Lifejacket expiry date

giddyup · 12 February 2011, 20:08

I have a couple of auto inflating life jackets and on opening up the velcro I noted the expiry date is now. Does this mean that the whole thing should be replaced or just the gas cylinder? Maybe the plastic bladders do perish in time and I don't want to be let down at the wrong moment. Any suggestions please?

donald463 · 12 February 2011, 20:37

I have a number of life jackets that are passed their date. In a recent RNLI Seacheck the inspector checked them out and his only comment was regarding the auto mechanism which should be changed. |There is no reason to fail the manual system if there is no signs of rust etc. Life jackets should be manually inflated at regular intervals and should hold pressure for 24 hours.

BogMonster · 12 February 2011, 20:49

Hammar jackets have an expiry date for the inflator, you can get just the Hammar unit and change it. There's a guide on RIBnet somewhere about how to do it. I've got to do mine this year, expiry by end 2011. I think they last about 5 years, seem to remember I got these in mid 2006, so make sure the new ones are not old stock or you'll be halfway towards the next replacement!

I queried gas cylinders recently and was told by the supplier that if the gas cyl is still sealed, weighs the right amount and isn't rusty, you can reuse it with the new inflator head.

Just had a search and thread is here http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1803 follow some of the links in the thread too

SPR · 12 February 2011, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Hammar jackets have an expiry date for the inflator, you can get just the Hammar unit and change it. There's a guide on RIBnet somewhere about how to do it. I've got to do mine this year, expiry by end 2011. I think they last about 5 years, seem to remember I got these in mid 2006, so make sure the new ones are not old stock or you'll be halfway towards the next replacement!

I queried gas cylinders recently and was told by the supplier that if the gas cyl is still sealed, weighs the right amount and isn't rusty, you can reuse it with the new inflator head.

Just had a search and thread is here http://www.rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1803 follow some of the links in the thread too

Most Hammar Types will come as a complete unit with bottle glued to it.

You can download:

RNLI Guide to caring your Lifejacket

More information on ALL aspects of Sea Safety can be found on the RNLI Complete Guide - Booklet and CD - CD is very good.

You can download from RNLI website or

The Complete Guide - Sea Safety - Booklet
The Complete Guide Sea Safety - CD installation program

These are very good resource esp the CD for anybody covers, Navigation etc too.

If you need advice you can contact you local RNLI Station and ask for the Lifeboat Sea Safety Officer - and ask for SEA check or LifeJacket advice.

Scott

PS. Another bit of advice is to carry a spare arming kit with you, if you end up in the water you can rearm -

If you use a Hammar type the advice is to carry a second lifejacket, re-arming a Hammar is NOT a trivial task and lifejacket should be test for air tightness afterwards

S..

giddyup · 12 February 2011, 23:10

Great advice folks, thanks very much.

giddyup · 13 February 2011, 00:16

CD download is a good read. Thanks for the link.

BogMonster · 13 February 2011, 10:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

Most Hammar Types will come as a complete unit with bottle glued to it.

The kits for mine do as standard http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/product...arming-kit-33g but they will also supply just the Hammar unit without the cylinder. Wasn't a lot cheaper though - just easier to get it sent here if it doesn't have a pressurised gas cylinder in it! If I was in the UK I'd change the whole thing inc cylinder.

SPR · 13 February 2011, 13:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

The kits for mine do as standard http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/product...arming-kit-33g but they will also supply just the Hammar unit without the cylinder. Wasn't a lot cheaper though - just easier to get it sent here if it doesn't have a pressurised gas cylinder in it! If I was in the UK I'd change the whole thing inc cylinder.

In that case check tightness of the cylinder often! my cylinder unscrewed completely, and because it's inside I never noticed, till I went for a swim of my tender... this is reason they now glue these on as complete units.

regards

Scott

BogMonster · 13 February 2011, 22:40

Any idea what sort of glue they use? threadlock perhaps?

SPR · 14 February 2011, 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by BogMonster

Any idea what sort of glue they use? threadlock perhaps?

sorry no idea, best asking a service centre...hope fully you will be able to remove your old one, to refit!

S.

MikeCC · 14 February 2011, 08:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPR

In that case check tightness of the cylinder often! my cylinder unscrewed completely, and because it's inside I never noticed, till I went for a swim of my tender... this is reason they now glue these on as complete units.

regards

Scott

To be clear, it's the Hammar ones that are glued. The UML / Halkey-Roberts types with the cylinder on the outside are not glued. I understand that manufacturer advice is that they shouldn't be, presumable in case it damages the plastic housing.