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HOW AND WHY TO TEST YOUR PFD
Inflate your PFD and try it out in the water to:
1. Make sure it floats you:
- Comfortably (When worn properly)
- Adequately for expected wave conditions
(Body shapes/densities affect performance)
2. Make sure it works:
- A flow of bubbles should not appear (see "Inspecting your
inflatable PFD" on page 14 for leak tests)
- It should inflate quickly and easily
3. Learn how it works by:
- Activating the CO
2
inflation system
- Rearming the CO
2
inflation system
- Using the Oral inflation tube
The U.S. Coast Guard recommends that you purchase two rearming
kits; one to be used immediately in testing the automatic inflation
system (see "How to test your PFD using the automatic inflator" on
page 16) and the other to carry onboard as a spare.
HOW TO TEST YOUR PFD USING THE AUTOMATIC INFLATOR
1. To test your inflatable PFD using automatic inflation, you will need
your fully armed PFD, and the re-arming kit (MA5183) approved
for your PFD.
2. Put on your PFD.
3. Get into shallow water, just deep enough that you can stand with
your head above the surface. Once the inflator is under water your
PFD should automatically fully inflate within 10 seconds.
4. See if your PFD will float you on your back or just slightly back of
vertical. In a relaxed floating position, verify that your mouth is
well above the water’s surface. Note the effect of where you hold
your legs on how you float.
5. Get out of the water and remove your PFD. Deflate the PFD using
the oral inflator (see "Deflating your PFD" on page 7).
6. Let your PFD dry thoroughly, Re-arm (page 8), and Repack
(page 11) your PFD.