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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