arks
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- Nov 7, 2002
- Messages
- 1,936
So I've had my SOSpenders for about 6 years now. When boating solo, my primary vest is an 'offshore' automatic self-inflating model with 35# of bouyancy. The 'coastal' models only have 22.
I've been religious about annually replacing the little 'tablet' that fires the compressed gas cartridge when immersed, but until yesterday never actually tested it by jumping into the water.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect (a loud BANG?, maybe a hissing sound...) so I was a bit anxious to do it. I figured this is something I should do so if/when it happens in an emergency, then I'd be prepared for it.
I anchored in a local cove with 4 or 5' depth, then deployed a cushion float tied to the swim platform- just in case....
Anyway, I jumped off the platform into the water and by time by head surfaced, the vest was inflating. I didn't hear any bang or pop, but I think there was a hissing sound for a few moments (my ears had water in them for a couple seconds). The velcro tabs that hold the vest together popped apart as it inflated, but the right half of the vest was wrapped around the oral inflation tube. I was able to push the tube around the air-filled chamber, but within 30 seconds I realized the vest was starting to deflate!
The vest DID easily support my bodyweight (185#), but it was evident that it wouldn't last for long. The vest had a leak, and it was coming from the base of the oral inflation tube. I climbed up the swim platform to assess the situation. I was able to manually re-inflate the vest, but it was still leaking. I decided to go back into the water to see if I could inflate it manually while swimming (I was, fortunately). The leak was minor but to keep my head above water I had to blow 4-5 times into the tube every 30-40 seconds. If this had been an emergency, I don't think I wouldv'e lasted long.
I've decided to retire this vest. I don't see a good way to fix the leak and need all my emergency equipment to be 100% dependable.
So.....GO JUMP IN A LAKE!!!
I've been religious about annually replacing the little 'tablet' that fires the compressed gas cartridge when immersed, but until yesterday never actually tested it by jumping into the water.
I wasn't sure exactly what to expect (a loud BANG?, maybe a hissing sound...) so I was a bit anxious to do it. I figured this is something I should do so if/when it happens in an emergency, then I'd be prepared for it.
I anchored in a local cove with 4 or 5' depth, then deployed a cushion float tied to the swim platform- just in case....
Anyway, I jumped off the platform into the water and by time by head surfaced, the vest was inflating. I didn't hear any bang or pop, but I think there was a hissing sound for a few moments (my ears had water in them for a couple seconds). The velcro tabs that hold the vest together popped apart as it inflated, but the right half of the vest was wrapped around the oral inflation tube. I was able to push the tube around the air-filled chamber, but within 30 seconds I realized the vest was starting to deflate!
The vest DID easily support my bodyweight (185#), but it was evident that it wouldn't last for long. The vest had a leak, and it was coming from the base of the oral inflation tube. I climbed up the swim platform to assess the situation. I was able to manually re-inflate the vest, but it was still leaking. I decided to go back into the water to see if I could inflate it manually while swimming (I was, fortunately). The leak was minor but to keep my head above water I had to blow 4-5 times into the tube every 30-40 seconds. If this had been an emergency, I don't think I wouldv'e lasted long.
I've decided to retire this vest. I don't see a good way to fix the leak and need all my emergency equipment to be 100% dependable.
So.....GO JUMP IN A LAKE!!!
