05-10-2011, 06:48 AM
On the inflatable PFD, you can remove and weigh the cartridge to tell if is full, but you need a sensitive scale. The manufacturer can tell you the range of weights. I periodically test my inflatable PFDs every couple of years, just to go thru the disaster drill. This is done with both the backup manual inflation and cartridge.
If there is real danger when on a remote lake or where there are rapids, I will wear the PFD partially inflated just enough to keep me afloat face up. Best to remove the cartridge and plug the hole with the correct metric thread bolt, to keep water out of any mechanism when using manual inflation.
Hope this helps,
Pon
[quote Fishtales23]Hi Joni,
I took your advice and brought my inflatable PFD into West Marine today and asked about the cartridge possibly not inflating in an emergency and mentioned that I'd had it for 9 years, never used it and should I be concerned about it failing.
The guy told me his father made his family wear an inflatable PFD waistpack and then purposely inflate it so they'd know what the experience was like. He said he's had his inflatable for 20 years and has never had to buy a new cartridge. I took all this to mean he knew what he was talking about. He opened my PFD and said, "As long as you do not have a puncture in the cartridge and the blue thingy is still there, and it's seated properly, not to worry, it will work if you need it."
Also, you can buy an extension handle for your trolling motor that will make it much easier to operate.
FT[/quote]
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If there is real danger when on a remote lake or where there are rapids, I will wear the PFD partially inflated just enough to keep me afloat face up. Best to remove the cartridge and plug the hole with the correct metric thread bolt, to keep water out of any mechanism when using manual inflation.
Hope this helps,
Pon
[quote Fishtales23]Hi Joni,
I took your advice and brought my inflatable PFD into West Marine today and asked about the cartridge possibly not inflating in an emergency and mentioned that I'd had it for 9 years, never used it and should I be concerned about it failing.
The guy told me his father made his family wear an inflatable PFD waistpack and then purposely inflate it so they'd know what the experience was like. He said he's had his inflatable for 20 years and has never had to buy a new cartridge. I took all this to mean he knew what he was talking about. He opened my PFD and said, "As long as you do not have a puncture in the cartridge and the blue thingy is still there, and it's seated properly, not to worry, it will work if you need it."
Also, you can buy an extension handle for your trolling motor that will make it much easier to operate.
FT[/quote]
[signature]