How and Why to Test your PFD
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/densities affect performance)
· Make sure it works:
A flow of bubbles should not appear (see
CARE AND
MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
for leak tests)
It should inflate quick and easily.
· Learn how it works by:
Activating the CO2 inflation system
Rearming the CO2 inflation system
Using the oral inflator tube
The U.S.Coast Guard recommends that you purchase two
rearming kits. One to be used immediately in testing the
inflation system (see
HOW DO YOU TEST YOUR PFD USING
THE MANUAL INFLATOR?
) and the other to carry on board as
a spare.
The only check of the manual
inflation system (with CO2
cylinder and green indicator
pin removed) would be to
determine that the lever
arm and piercing pin move
freely when moving the lever
(attached to the pull tab)
several times down and up.
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