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FOR MODEL NUMBERS MD3181 / MD3183 / MD3184

OWNER'S MANUAL 

INFLATABLE PFD

DO NOT REMOVE PRIOR TO SALE

MD3181 

MANUAL INFLATION MODEL

USCG APPROVALS: RECREATIONAL: TYPE III

UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSELS: TYPE V

WARNING:

 

THE MD3181 WILL NOT INFLATE 

AUTOMATICALLY UPON IMMERSION. TAB MUST BE 

PULLED TO ACTIVATE INFLATION MECHANISM.

MD3183 

HYDROSTATIC INFLATION MODEL  

MANUAL WITH AUTOMATIC BACKUP 
USCG APPROVALS: RECREATIONAL: TYPE II 
UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSELS: TYPE V

MD3184 

HYDROSTATIC INFLATION MODEL WITH HARNESS 

MANUAL WITH AUTOMATIC BACKUP 
USCG APPROVALS: TYPE V

Summary of Contents for MD3183

Page 1: ...COMMERCIAL VESSELS TYPE V WARNING THE MD3181 WILL NOT INFLATE AUTOMATICALLY UPON IMMERSION TAB MUST BE PULLED TO ACTIVATE INFLATION MECHANISM MD3183 HYDROSTATIC INFLATION MODEL MANUAL WITH AUTOMATIC BACKUP USCG APPROVALS RECREATIONAL TYPE II UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSELS TYPE V MD3184 HYDROSTATIC INFLATION MODEL WITH HARNESS MANUAL WITH AUTOMATIC BACKUP USCG APPROVALS TYPE V ...

Page 2: ...UIREMENTS 2 WHAT IS AN INFLATABLE PFD 3 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE 4 UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSEL USE 4 INSPECTING COMPONENTS 4 READINESS CHECKLIST 5 SIZING AND FIT 5 PUTTING ON DONNING YOUR PFD 5 INFLATING YOUR PFD 6 SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR INFLATABLE DEVICES 7 DEFLATING YOUR PFD 8 USAGE BELOW FREEZING 8 RE ARMING YOUR PFD 9 REPACKING YOUR PFD 13 SAILING HARNESS 16 IS YOUR PFD IN GOOD AND SERVICABL...

Page 3: ... AUTOMATIC INFLATOR FOR MODELS MD3183 AND MD3184 20 HOW DO YOU TEST YOUR PFD USING THE MANUAL INFLATOR 21 HOW DO YOU TEST YOUR PFD USING THE ORAL INFLATOR 22 WEAR YOUR PFD 23 HYPOTHERMIA 23 HOW HYPOTHERMIA AFFECTS MOST ADULTS 23 SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER ABOUT HYPOTHERMIA PROTECTION 23 EACH OF THESE DEVICES IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE 25 INFLATABLE PFD SAFETY ACCESSORIES 25 ADDITIONAL...

Page 4: ...valuated Commercial Models MD3181 and MD3183 are USCG approved Type V inflatable PFDs approved ONLY WHEN WORN for use on uninspected commercial vessels less than 40 feet in length not carrying passengers for hire as a substitute for a Type III PFD MD3181 or Type II PFD MD3183 when used in accordance with this owner s manual MD3184 IS NOT USCG APPROVED FOR UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSELS Conditions ...

Page 5: ...you understand how to inflate the device Basic visual inspection see Readiness Checklist p 5 Inflation system check see Inspecting Components p 4 Putting on Donning Your PFD see p 5 Inflating Your PFD see p 6 MANDATORYCARRIAGEREQUIREMENTS Federal regulations in 33 CFR 175 1993 require you to carry Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices PFDs legibly marked with the Coast Guard approval num...

Page 6: ...can be inflated at any time with a 33 gram CO2 gas cylinder The inflatable PFD is designed to offer maximum mobility with minimum bulk The models MD3183 and MD3184 can be inflated either automatically by water immersion manually by jerking a pull tab or orally by mouth The model MD3181 can be inflated manually by jerking the pull tab or orally by mouth It is recommended that you familiarize yourse...

Page 7: ...er on the wearer s left side exposing the oral inflator 3 Ensure the oral inflation cap is in the stowed position Fig 7 4 Ensure the single point status indicator is green and the pull tab lanyard is hanging on the outside secure the zippers on the PFD see Repacking Your PFD p 13 5 Ensure the current date is not past the date on the inflator If it is replace the inflator see Re arming Your PFD p 9...

Page 8: ...is PFD provides a minimum of 33 7 pounds of buoyancy when inflated and is designed for wearers over 16 years of age with a chest range of 30 52 inches 76 132 cm and weighing over 80 pounds 36 kg PUTTINGON DONNING YOURPFD It is important that the inflatable PFD is properly adjusted to fit the person wearing it An incorrect fit or improper fastening of attachments could impede its effectiveness 1 Al...

Page 9: ...turn releases a stainless steel coil spring The spring then drives a needle into the end of the carbon dioxide CO2 cylinder which is now punctured so that the CO2 instantly fills the PFD Total buoyancy is normally reached within four to five seconds Once the PFD is inflated the CO2 will slowly escape through the fabric over time A slight reduction of pressure will be observed after several hours o...

Page 10: ...IN EXCESSIVELY HIGH PRESSURE WITHIN THE INFLATION CHAMBER WHICH MAY CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE WHEN YOUR PFD IS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH AIR THE INFLATOR MAY NOT AUTOMATICALLY INFLATE WHEN EXPOSED TO WATER SPECIALCONSIDERATIONSFORINFLATABLEDEVICES The inflatable PFD might not be armed when needed either knowingly or unknowingly Inadvertant inflation causes several risks that you must address to avoid dr...

Page 11: ... REMOVED FROM THE PFD 3 Examine the single point status indicator Fig 2 or 2a on p 4 If the indicator is red the mechanism has been fired and the inflator requires service see Re arming Your PFD p 9 THE SINGLE POINT STATUS INDICATOR MUST BE GREEN BEFORE PROCEEDING 4 Your device is ready to be repacked see Repacking Your PFD p 13 USAGEBELOWFREEZING Do not use inflatable PFDs in below freezing tempe...

Page 12: ...under the cover and pulling it toward you turning the cell and cover inside out to fully expose the inflator for re arming Hold the CO2 cylinder through the fabric using one hand Fig 8 for models MD3183 and MD3184 and Fig 8a for model MD3181 2 Insert the metal key between the black locking ring and the labeled yellow cap Turn the key counterclockwise Fig 9 for models MD3183 and MD3184 and Fig 9a f...

Page 13: ... Fig 10a for model MD3181 Dispose of the used cap 4 Squeeze the sealing ring to elongate and remove the inflator body through the sealing ring Fig 11 5 Dispose of the used inflator body Fig 12 FIGURE 10 FIGURE 10A Cap H A M M A R H A M M A R FIGURE 11 Red Indicator Inflator Body Sealing Ring MD3181 MD3183 AND MD3184 REMOVE INFLATOR BODY Cap ...

Page 14: ...side the PFD Fig 13 Let the sealing ring rest on the adapter around the four lugs FIGURE 14 FIGURE 14A Single Point Indicator Water Inlet Valve HAMMAR JERK TO INFLATE Single Point Indicator Expiry Date FIGURE 12 FIGURE 13 Red Indicator Trash Green Indicator Caution Do not turn the center shaft 7 Now check the new manual automatic cap as follows Fig 14 for models MD3183 and MD3184 and Fig 14a for m...

Page 15: ...FIGURE 15 FIGURE 16 HAM MAR JERK TO IN FLATE H A M M A R 90 FIGURE 17 H A M M A R FIGURE 17A Black Locking Ring Lanyard 10 Check that the single point status indicator on the cap is green that the pull to inflate lanyard is present and that the locking ring is locked Turn the cell and cover right side out returning to normal state 11 Refold the PFD in accordance with the Repacking section p 13 MD3...

Page 16: ...twist the PFD Put the oral tube cap back in its stowed position on the oral tube Fig 7 p 8 Let the PFD dry before packing BEFORE FOLLOWING THE REPACKING SEQUENCE BE SURE TO PROPERLY RE ARM YOUR INFLATABLE PFD SEE RE ARMING YOUR PFD P 9 ENSURE ALL AIR IS REMOVED BEFORE REPACKING 1 Lay the PFD on a flat clean surface Fig 18 2 Fold side A inward along the full length of the dotted line Fig 19 Fold co...

Page 17: ...the zipper Fig 26 Ensure that the inflatable cell does not get caught by the zipper when closing 6 Fasten the Velcro tab H to keep zipper closed Fig 27 7 Reset 2 Pull the slider I to the zipper stop K and under Velcro tab H Fig 28 Close by pulling slider I in the opposite direction to the end of the zipper Fig 29 Ensure that the inflatable cell does not get caught by the zipper when closing LEFT S...

Page 18: ...RE 30 FIGURE 27 FIGURE 31 FIGURE 28 8 Use a finger to push the zipper ends into the openings at the bottom of the packed PFD Fig 30 9 Ensure the pull tab J is on the outside of the folded PFD Fig 31 depicts a correctly folded PFD CLOSE TAB H RESET 2 UP RESET 2 DOWN PUSH IN ENDS CORRECT ...

Page 19: ... the harness using the strap adjuster so that the harness is as snug as tolerable Failure to adjust the harness properly could result in injury When attached to the boat use a tether of less than 6 feet 6 inches 2 m in length with quick release under load hardware Fig 32 Ensure that a tether is secured to both D rings When not in use the D rings can be pushed under the lapels WARNING USE OF A SAIL...

Page 20: ...ns contact Mustang Survival customer service INSPECTINGYOURINFLATABLEPFD Before Each Use Examine the single point status indicator ensuring it is green If the indicator is red your PFD needs to be re armed see Re Arming your PFD p 9 Ensure the manual pull tab is accessible Visually examine your PFD for damage or excessive abrasion wear tear or contamination Particular attention must be paid to the...

Page 21: ...ent ink on the Care and Storage label in the Date Maintained column Repack the PFD as outlined in the Repacking section p 13 SERVICINGINSTRUCTIONSFORUCVOPERATORS It is the responsibility of the operator to be sure this PFD is in serviceable condition Refer to Mandatory Carriage Requirements p 2 This PFD must also be properly armed with status indicator showing Green on both the inflator cap and bo...

Page 22: ...port the weight of the wearer Since this inflatable PFD does not have inherent buoyancy it provides flotation only when inflated Familiarize yourself with the use of this PFD so you know what to do in an emergency HOWANDWHYTOTESTYOURPFD Inflate your PFD and try it out in the water to Make sure it floats you Comfortably when worn properly Adequately for expected wave conditions body shapes densitie...

Page 23: ...ce Once the inflator is underwater four inches or so the Inflatable PFD should fully inflate automatically within 10 seconds A4 See if the PFD will float you on your back or just slightly back of vertical In a relaxed floating position verify that your mouth is well above the water s surface Note the effect of where you hold your legs on how you float A5 Get out of the water and remove the PFD A6 ...

Page 24: ...y jerking firmly downward on the pull tab The PFD should fully inflate within five seconds M4 Get into shallow water just deep enough that you can stand with your head above the surface M5 See if the PFD will float you on your back or just slightly back of vertical In a relaxed floating position verify that your mouth is well above the water s surface Note the effect of where you hold your legs on...

Page 25: ...flate the PFD partially so that you are supported well enough to be able to complete inflation without touching bottom either orally or manually Note this level of inflation because it is the minimum needed for you to safely use this PFD O5 Fully inflate the PFD using the oral inflator O6 See if the PFD will float you on your back or just slightly back of vertical In a relaxed floating position ve...

Page 26: ...s first suffer from hypothermia The following chart shows the effects of hypothermia HOW HYPOTHERMIA AFFECTS MOST ADULTS Water Temperature C F Exhaustion or Unconsciousness Expected Time of Survival 0 3 32 5 Under 15 min Under 15 45 min 0 3 4 32 5 40 15 30 min 30 90 min 4 10 40 50 30 60 min 1 3 hrs 10 16 50 60 1 2 hrs 1 6 hrs 16 21 60 70 2 7 hrs 2 40 hrs 21 27 70 80 2 12 hrs 3 hrs to Indefinite ov...

Page 27: ...mmended Keep your head out of the water This will greatly lessen heat loss and increase your survival time 3 Use the standard H E L P position when wearing a PFD drawing the legs up to a seated position because doing so will help you conserve body heat Fig 33 4 Keep a positive attitude about your survival and rescue This will improve your chances of extending your survival time until rescued Your ...

Page 28: ...bly in and out of the water 4 Mark your PFD with your name if you are the only wearer 5 Do not alter your PFD If it doesn t fit properly get one that does An altered device is no longer Coast Guard approved 6 Your PFD is not intended for use as a fender or kneeling pad 7 If your PFD is wet allow it to dry thoroughly before storing it Store it in a well ventilated area 8 Do not dry your PFD in fron...

Page 29: ...TATTACHPFDsTOYOURBOAT Each PFD has straps hooks buckles or other means for securing the device in place on the wearer Some PFDs also incorporate decorative D rings or tabs Such items are not to be used to attach the device to the boat Attaching the device to the boat will not permit it to perform as intended MODEL MD3184 HAS A BUILT IN SAILING HARNESS INTENDED FOR ATTACHING TO BOATS WITH QUICK REL...

Page 30: ...27 MUSTANG SURVIVAL OWNER S MANUAL MD3181 MD3183 MD3184 INFLATABLE PFD ...

Page 31: ...28 ...

Page 32: ... years Mustang Survival has been engineering high performance marine gear for military coast guard and rescue personnel With a focus on applied research and field testing we re committed to the protection and enhancement of those who push themselves to extremes We build gear that saves lives and fuels exploration www mustangsurvival com ...

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