Figure 7: The Inflator
Used New
CO2 Gas
Cylinder
Lever “ready” position |
| Inflator |
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Safety clip | Mechanism | |||
Lever “fired” position
Pull cord
MAINTENANCE, INSPECTION
AND TESTING PROCEDURES
Your life preserver should be inspected and tested annually to maintain all compo- nents of the life preserver, and its associated equipment in a serviceable condition, and to ensure that the inflatable cell will withstand the specified pressure. For life preserver that are in use, a more frequent interval is required. Full inspections are to be performed only by authorized service technicians, but you may perform the following tests, prior to using the life preserver and on a regular basis thereafter, to ensure minimum safety precautions are met.
A.Component Testing
1. Inflatable Cell Test
The inflatable cell can be inflated by the oral inflation valve or the CO2 inflation valve. The inflatable cell is to be tested by the following method:
a.Inflate the cell slowly; the cell shall fully inflate so that it opens the cover and becomes rigid. Leave the cell fully inflated for a period of 6 hours. At the end of the 6 hours the cell shall still feel hard to the touch and maintain its general rigidity.
b.Submerge the inflated cell in water and check all seams and all cell material for bubbles. If bubbles are detected the cell must be replaced.
NOTE: Do not attempt to repair any portions of the inflation cell, all inflation cells failing the Inflatable Cell Test must be returned to the Mustang Dealer where the life preserver was purchased.
c.If no leaks are detected from the inflation cell, check for leaking valves as detailed in the CO2 and Oral Inflation Valve Tests listed below.
d.Upon completion of these tests, if any of the minimum requirements have not been conformed to, the life preserver shall be returned to your Mustang Dealer.
2. Oral Inflation Valve Test
The oral inflation valve shall be tested for leaks with the appropriate inflatable cell inflated to a pressure of 2 psi. The procedure is as follows:
a.Place a small amount of soap and water solution to the valve stem
opening, using care to prevent the entry of water into the valve. Leakage will be indicated by the bubbling of the soap solution.
b.Lower the pressure in the inflatable cell and blow by mouth through the oral inflator valve by pushing the valve inwards to open the air passage. The effort required to inflate the chamber shall not be excessive, and it must close tightly when blowing has ceased.
c.The valve shall be considered damaged if it fails either test and the life preserver must be returned to your Mustang Dealer for servicing.
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