There's been a useful discussion on TheMainSail forum lately about lifejacket servicing.
It includes cautionary tales of lifejackets that have inflated in lockers, before they were needed, and lifejackets that have failed to inflate when put to the test.
So how can you be sure that your automatic lifejacket is charged and ready to go, should the need arise?
Swedish lifejacket specialist Baltic has just launched a new lifejacket range which comes with a neat inspection window and simple status indicator. Two indicator bars show if either the automatic head or the CO2 cylinder have been used and therefore if anything needs replacing.
The top line is for the automatic head and the second line for the CO2. Two green lines show that the jacket is ready and safe to use. One or two red lines show there is a problem with the jacket which needs attention.
Based on the design of the Baltic Winner, the new jacket uses zip burst technology which makes it more robust and gives greater longevity than traditional Velcro closures. Two quick openings in the cover zip closures allow access to the manual inflation tube and the gas inflation mechanism.
Additional features on the Argus include a universal attachment point on the front of the jacket for items such as an EPIRB or VHF. The crutch strap is removable and is stowed neatly inside the cover. It is fitted with a quick release buckle on the front.
The Baltic Argus is available in black or red and in a number of sizes to fit people from 40kg to 150kg and comes with a five-year guarantee.
The makers say CO2 cylinders and automatic heads should be visually checked every time you use the jacket. New cylinders are available from Baltic stockists. (Spare cylinders should be carried on board) . The jackets can be sent to a Baltic Service Centre for a full service check.
