RNLI Lifejacket Safety Clinic – a Great Success
Joanna, our Roving Reporter
Joanna, our Roving Reporter
By Joanna, our Roving Reporter
I read with interest the recent email from Jon Roberts announcing that Conwy Marina was to hold an RNLI lifejacket clinic on Saturday 21st August 2010.
This was a free service provided by the RNLI with the specific aim to make sure that people not only wear their life jackets understand the importance of proper care and maintenance.
Clutching two lifejackets, I took my place in the queue and waited to meet David Hughes, Sea Safety Officer and Nicola Davies, Divisional Sea Safety Manager.
As our life jackets are only a couple of years old and we had recently changed the gas
RNLI Safety Clinic at Conwy Marina
cylinders, I thought it would be a very quick visit.
How wrong I was!
David very carefully opened up each life jacket and pointed out the areas of the lifejacket which should be inspected on a regular basis.
I felt that all of David’s advice was very helpful and I now realise that whatever type of lifejacket you use, it will need basic maintenance to keep it working properly.
Safety Advice
For those people who were not able to visit the stand I have listed below David’s advice:
- Open out your life jacket.
- Check all seams and stitching for wear and tear and all corners.
- Once a year you should inflate the jacket using a pump and leave overnight to check that the jacket is still inflated in the morning. Take care when deflating not to break the seal.
- Check hand strap.
- Check all reflective strips.
- Take out the gas cylinder and check that it is in date. Remove cylinder and check operating head. Test the operation by pulling the lanyard and checking that the firing pin travels forward and returns freely and that the pin is not worn or bent. Take care with the plastic safety clip, which is designed to break when operated, and may need to be replaced.
- Check for corrosion. Any part of the jacket that was in contact with a rusty cylinder should be checked for damage and may need to be repaired by the manufacturer.
A free leaflet “Caring for your Lifejacket” can be picked up free of charge from the Marina Office. This, and many other useful leaflets, can also be downloaded from the RNLI download centre (scroll halfway down the RNLI page to see the see safety leaflets).
The Verdict
David did point out to me that both our jackets were lacking “crutch straps” which keep the jackets in place should one be unfortunate enough to end up in the water. Neither of our jackets have a spray hood which help keep sea water from entering the nose and mouth which could cause secondary drowning. Both our jackets were lacking in lights and so we would not be easily spotted by any search party. So all in all, I felt rather deflated – no pun intended!
David Hughes, Sea Safety Officer, Undertaking Lifejacket Checks
However, on a more serious note, I now see the importance of buying the very best lifejacket you can afford. After all, it is all about your safety in an emergency.
I would like to thank David for being so patient with me and explaining everything in such detail. Ian and I will be visiting the local chandlers and upgrading our lifejackets soon!
