Self inflating life vests

[yankee]

One of my auto life vests was activated while stored in the cooler of my swing back seet at the console.  This happened apparently from the wet weather and night time moisture.  The vest is actuated by the use of a slow dissolve tablet at the fill valve.  But the vest has inflated within the last seven days, and when I discovered it, the vest was actuated but not inflated.  I'm guessing that the vest did fill with air, but over a few days it has dissipated?  My question is how long should this vest hold its air.  I blew in the fill tube and the vest is not leaking.  

[Juan]

That's the first time I've heard of one inflating by moisture. The instructions on both of mine state it has to be submerged a couple of feet to activate them. I don't know how long they stay Inflated but I hope and guess it's a long time.

[yankee]

Maybe I have a defected vest? I purchased it less than a year ago and the "shelf" life is 5 years. From what I understand, there are two types that activate differently from each other. One is a water sensor, the other is a manual "pull to inflate" tab.

[yankee]

Here is a good link into the workings of an Auto Inflate PFD. Lots of good information here.

simpleinflatables.com/how-do-auto-inflating-life-vests-work/

[Juan]

Thanks for the link yankee. Interesting. Now I'm going to have to check the instructions on my jackets. I didn't know that they recommend replacing them every 5 to 7 years. Mine are at least that old. Not sure I understand why you would replace a jacket unless the jacket is worn out or the sun has degraded the material.. I'm pretty sure mine can be inflated 3 ways.. automatically, manually by pulling a tab or manually by blowing it up and they won't inflate automatically unless they have been submerged. Both have a green and red tab on the CO2 cartridge. If the tab is green, it's good, if it's red, the cartridge needs to be replaced. I've never replaced a cartridge but maybe I should.

[yankee]

I believe that the "shelf life" is for the dissolving tab type of inflate only. There is what they call a bobbin that houses the tablet and this is what needs to be replaced. I'm guessing that the integrety of the slow dissolve tab dissipates over time.

[Juan]

I know little about the CO2 type and didn't even know there were dissolving tab types. I checked mine and they can only be inflated automatically or by pulling the tab. They don't have a inflating hose like I thought and the instructions only mention replacing the cartridge if it's been used. I'm guessing mine are 7 or 8 years old and both still have the green tab indicating they are still good to go. One does say that it could inflate in high moisture conditions but both have been in the rain and they haven't inflated.

[gnrphil]

I think it's time or overdue time to service mine also, all indicators are green but better safe than sorry. figured I'd strap one on and jump in the pool to see what happens.

[yankee]

Give us an update Phil when you take the plunge. I'm interested in how many seconds it takes to bring you back to face up. The phamplet that came with mine says upwards of 10 seconds. In a deep panic, lots can happen in 10 seconds.

[Juan]

I hope your pool is heated!

[freezerfiller]

Phil is doing it right. There is no substitute for experience and knowing what to expect. 10 seconds or a few feet down would both concern me. I'll stick with my orange stranglers for now.

[AHHHH-Spray]

I have a self-inflating one and I tested it this past summer. They call the part that dissolves to trigger inflation a bobbin and its supposed to be replaced every three years. Mine was 10 years old and it still worked when I jumped in the lake. I had my wife video me and it took about 6 seconds from when I hit the water until full inflation. Seemed like longer to me. They recommend inflating it when you replace the bobbin to make sure the air bladder is still good. As long as you don't have any leaks, there's no need to replace anything other than the air cartridge and bobbin. Here's a video about servicing the one I have.

[gnrphil]

I'll see about making a video and let ya'll know how it goes, pool isn't heated so excuse any girly screams when I hit the water.