MD3183 Inflatable PFD Hydrostatic Inflation Model - Manual with Automatic Backup uscg aPPROVALS: Recreational: Type II Uninspected Commercial Vessels: Type V MD3184 Inflatable PFD Hydrostatic Inflation Model - Manual with Automatic Backup With Harness uscg aPPROVALS: Recreational: Type V
CONTENTS Page 1 Approval Conditions and Carriage Requirements 2 Note to Uninspected Commercial Vessel Operators 2 Why are PFDs Required Safety Equipment? 2 What is an Inflatable PFD? 3 Instructions for Use 3 Uninspected Commercial Vessel Use 3 Component Inspection Instructions 4 Readiness Checklist 4 Sizing and Fit 4 Donning Instructions 5 Inflating Your Inflatable PFD 6 Special Considerations for Inflatable Devices 7 Deflating the Inflatable PFD
APPROVAL CONDITIONS AND CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS Recreational - Approved for recreational use by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as a Type II (Model MD3183), or Type V (Model MD3184) Personal Flotation Device (PFD). Neither are approved for water skiing or other high impact, high-speed activities. Model MD3184 has Type II performance but is approved as a Type V PFD because it has a built-in sailing harness that can cause injury if not properly used. A separate section titled “SAILING HARNESS” (p.
activities. This Inflatable PFD was designed to be more comfortable and less restrictive to wear than inherently buoyant PFDs. When worn, used and serviced according to this owner’s manual, this PFD can greatly increase your chances of survival in the water. Not recommended for non-swimmers or weak swimmers. Users of inflatable PFDs must be at least 16 years old.
comfortable slim collar that can be inflated at any time with a 33-gram CO2 gas cylinder. The Inflatable PFD is designed to offer maximum mobility with minimum bulk. The Inflatable PFD can be inflated either automatically by water immersion, manually by jerking a pull-tab, or orally by mouth. It is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the procedures outlined in INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE (p. 3).
5) Ensure the current date is not past the date on the inflator. If it is, replace the inflator (see Re-arming Your PFD, p. 8). Hydrostatic Inflator Cap Water Inlet Valve Black Locking Ring Yellow Inflator Cap Cap/Locking Ring Tabs Lanyard Readiness Checklist Check your Inflatable PFD and ensure all of the checkpoints listed below are true before use. n Single point status indicator is green (Fig. 1 and 2).
For the non-harness model MD3183, the belt should fit below your rib cage adjusted to a tight personal fit. For the harness model MD3184, the bottom of the belt must always be worn at least 2 inches (5 cm) above the lowest rib and adjusted to a tight personal fit. 2) Put the Inflatable PFD on just like a jacket (Fig. 3) and fasten the front buckle. Adjust the waist belt using the side buckle on the belt and secure the belt’s loose end in the belt loop.
needle into the end of the gas cylinder, which is now punctured so that the gas instantly fills the life jacket. Total buoyancy is normally reached within 4 – 5 seconds. Information When inflated, the carbon dioxide (CO2 gas) used to inflate the PFD will slowly escape through the fabric over time. A slight reduction of pressure will be observed after several hours of inflation. Topping up by oral inflation may be required in the event of very prolonged immersion.
1) Double inflation (CO2 cylinder inflation after full oral inflation) could damage the Inflatable PFD, 2) Inflation when stored in a tight space could damage the Inflatable PFD, and 3) The Inflatable PFD could inflate when you are in an awkward place or position. If this Inflatable PFD should inflate inadvertantly, a re-arm kit (MA7214) is required to re-arm the device. IMPORTANT: The Inflatable PFD should be re-armed according to the instructions (Re-arming Your PFD, p. 8).
Usage Below Freezing When the temperature is below freezing, the Inflatable PFD should be worn partially inflated because a fully discharged cylinder may not quickly or adequately inflate your Inflatable PFD. Under these conditions use the oral inflator to adequately top-up the PFD, after CO2 inflation. WARNING: CO2 inflation could over-pressurize and damage your Inflatable PFD if already fully inflated. Re-arming Your PFD NOTE: A valid re-arm kit (MA7214) is required for this procedure.
(yellow inflator operating head Fig. 10). Dispose of the used cap. Figure 10 Cap 4) Squeeze the sealing ring to elongate and remove the inflator body through the sealing ring (Fig. 11). 5) Dispose of the used inflator body. 6) Check that the new inflator body indicator is green. Insert the new inflator body with CO2 cylinder pointing upward inside the Inflatable PFD (Fig.13). Let the sealing ring rest on the adapter around the four lugs.
If YES is the answer to both questions, then proceed as follows. If the answer is NO to either question, get a new cap. 8) Hold the CO2 cylinder through the fabric of the Inflatable PFD (Fig. 15). Position the replacement cap with the water inlet valve pointing to the right and press Green Indicator CAUTION: Do not turn the center shaft Figure 13 Figure 14 Water Inlet Valve Single Point Indicator Figure 16 Figure 15 firmly onto the inflator body and sealing ring (Fig. 16).
10) Check: To see that the single point status indicator on the cap is green; the pull to inflate lanyard is present and that the locking ring is locked. 11) Refold the Inflatable PFD in accordance with the Repacking section (p. 11). Repacking If your Inflatable PFD has been used and/or the hydrostatic inflator replaced, always inflate through the oral tube and check that it stays inflated at least overnight.
Figure 20 Figure 21 C B Figure 22 E D Figure 23 F H Figure 24 G Figure 25 caught by the zipper when closing. 6) Fasten the Velcro™ tab (H) to keep zipper closed. 7) ZIP 1 - Reset the 2-step zipper by pulling the slider (I) to the Velcro™ tab (H). ZIP 2 - Close by pulling slider (I) in the opposite direction to the end the zipper (Fig. 29).
caught by the zipper when closing. 8) Use a finger to push the zipper ends into the openings at the bottom of the the packed Inflatable PFD (Fig. 30). Figure 27 H 9) Ensure the pull-tab (J) is on the outside of the folded Inflatable PFD. Fig. 31 depicts a correctly folded Inflatable PFD. Sailing Harness Figure 28 CAUTION: Use only as a sailing H harness.
When attached to the boat use a tether of less than 6 feet 6 inches (2 m) in length with quick-release under-load hardware (Fig. 32). Figure 31 Ensure that a tether is secured to both D-rings. When not in use, the D-rings can be pushed under the lapels. J Chest Buckle NOTE: The fold lines, on the diagram, are provided to assist with packing. D-Ring Tether Webbing Chest Belt Webbing Quick Release Lanyard Figure 32 Warning: Use of a sailing harness to prevent falls overboard presents several risks.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS Federal Regulations require Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs) that are legibly marked with the Coast Guard approval number, are in good and serviceable condition, and are the correct size for each person on board. It is the responsibility of the operator to be sure this PFD is in serviceable condition.
CAUTION: To avoid accidental inflation, don't allow the water to contact the hydrostatic inflator. iii) Perform a thorough visual examination. See Readiness Checklist (p. 4). Perform these tests more often if exposed to potential damage or used in extreme conditions. 3) After Each Inflation - Re-arm the Inflatable PFD. See Re-arming Your PFD, p. 8.
Cleaning and Storing of Your Inflatable PFD To avoid inflation, do not submerge the Inflatable PFD or directly spray the inflator. Hand wash or sponge down the Inflatable PFD in warm, soapy water. Rinse the PFD and inflator with clean water, using a clean rinse cloth. Hang the Inflatable PFD to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry clean. Always store your Inflatable PFD in a warm, dry place out of direct sunlight.
inches or so, the Inflatable PFD should fully inflate automatically within 5 seconds. 4) See if the Inflatable 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 the Inflatable PFD. 6) Deflate the Inflatable PFD by depressing the oral inflator valve (see Deflating the Inflatable PFD p. 7).
HOW DO YOU TEST YOUR PFD USING THE ORAL INFLATOR? This test is not mandatory, however may be conducted using the following procedure. WARNING: Use only a previously fired hydrostatic inflator to perform this test. DO NOT test with a fully armed hydrostatic inflator as double inflation may occur, possibly resulting in cell damage. 1) No spare parts or re-arming kits are needed to test your Inflatable PFD. 2) Put on the Inflatable PFD.
Inflatable PFD is much more comfortable to wear than other PFD types. Get into the habit of wearing this Inflatable PFD. Non-swimmers and children especially should wear a hybrid or nonInflatable PFD at all times when on or near the water. HYPOTHERMIA Prolonged exposure to cold water causes a condition known as hypothermia - a substantial loss of body heat, which leads to exhaustion and unconsciousness. Most drowning victims first suffer from hypothermia.
survivor, or a floating object on which you can lean or climb. Swimming increases the rate of body heat loss. In cold water, drownproofing methods that require putting your head in the water are not recommended. Keep your head out of the water. This will greatly lessen heat loss and increase your survival time. 3) Use the standard H.E.L.P. position when wearing an Inflatable PFD, drawing the legs up to a seated position, because doing so will help you conserve body heat (Fig. 33).
it. Store it in a well-ventilated area. 8) Do not dry your Inflatable PFD in front of a radiator or other source of direct heat. Inflatable PFD Safety Accessories MA7214 Re-arm Kit contains 33-gram replacement CO2 cylinder inflator. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you need more information about PFDs and safe boating, contact your state boating authority, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron, Red Cross, or your nearest unit of the U.S. Coast Guard.
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