Automatic Lifejacket -> Manual Lifejacket

[tompaddock]

Hi,
I've just bought an automatic lifejacket (typhoon edge) from eBay, however there are times when its automaticness might get in the way.
Is there a way to turn the automatic lifejacket into a manual lifejacket.
I assume I either have to remove the auto firing headdy bit, or get a manual refiring pack?
Any advice would be really appreciated,
Tom

[Channel Ribs]

Which times are you worried about?

[Bulligmore]

Would you not buy two auto and manual?

[tompaddock]

Which times are you worried about?

I'm thinking of safety boat work etc, or when I just want it sitting in a wet boat without going off, really.

Would you not buy two auto and manual?

I'm afraid not; I'm a student.

[Vandad]

Originally Posted by tompaddock

I'm thinking of safety boat work etc, or when I just want it sitting in a wet boat without going off, really.



I'm afraid not; I'm a student.

I have been using automatic lifejackets and never had any problem with them even in the wettest environments etc.. As long as the lifejacket does not submerge into the water it will be fine. If it rains etc..

[tompaddock]

Originally Posted by Vandad

I have been using automatic lifejackets and never had any problem with them even in the wettest environments etc.. As long as the lifejacket does not submerge into the water it will be fine. If it rains etc..

Thank you.
and yeah, I guess I might still struggle on safety boat tho :/

[willk]

Originally Posted by Vandad

I have been using automatic lifejackets and never had any problem with them even in the wettest environments etc.. As long as the lifejacket does not submerge into the water it will be fine. If it rains etc..

I'm afraid I have. Granted, it had a Halkey Roberts mechanism, these are fired by continued exposure to water, rather than water pressure as per the Hammar mechanisms.

The situation in question involved myself and poor auld donegaldan getting a right soaking from water over the bows. My Hammar jacket didn't deploy, his H-R jacket did.

That reminds me, I think Hammar mechanisms can "fail" to deploy if the wearer is floundering around on the surface (as in holding a rope or lying flat), they need a foot or so of water to create enough pressure. I may be wrong, again...

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by willk

That reminds me, I think Hammar mechanisms can "fail" to deploy if the wearer is floundering around on the surface (as in holding a rope or lying flat), they need a foot or so of water to create enough pressure. I may be wrong, again...

Just in the interests of science I fired an old Hammar unit the other day off one of the lifejackets that was being rearmed with new firing units at work. Held under a slow running tap it was fine, turn up the wick to full and hold it under (artificial pressure increase) and it popped straight away. Didn't try one in still water.

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by tompaddock

I'm thinking of safety boat work etc, or when I just want it sitting in a wet boat without going off, really.

I used to use a manual or an auto depending on how wet I thought the day was going to be, then when I started instructing I decided to stick to the auto and having got thoroughly doused many times it has not misfired.

[biffer]

i've had an auto go off while wearing it in bad weather and i've had one go off when washing them, now i just have manual one's, i can really wash the salt out of them.