SHETLAND OWNERS ASSOCIATION

I don't post here very often but thought I should share this...

We visited the London boat show today and decided to buy 2 re-arming kits for our Seago 175N Life Jackets as we've had them since 2007. Although never used I figured they were well over due a service and new CO2 cylinders needed. I thought the best way to inflate them was by pulling the cord and activating the old cartridge so as to check for air tightness before fitting the new cylinder. Although both inflated, the first jacket (mine) went down immediately and the other was completely deflated again within 2 minutes, on close inspection found that where mildew had crept in around the edges due to having got damp / splashed over the years the main bladder of both jackets had perished rendering them both completely useless.

If you own life jackets that are more than 5 years old I would urge you to inflate and inspect them or invest in new ones, your life may depend on it...

Paul

Good point, if I am honest if I was to go in to the water tomorrow that would be when I would find out for sure if my automatic lifejacket worked as I would hope

Good point - Paul. We routinely inflate our 2 automatic jackets every 2 years. My life is worth more than 2 arming kits. It also alows you to feel exatcly what it is like to have them inflate around you - it can be unpleasant but if you are aware its less of a shock.