Boats and Boating Safety: Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices

PFD INFLATION FAILURE DUE TO FALSE-POSITIVE SERVICE INDICATORS AND INCORRECT CO2 CYLINDER INSTALLATION

The U.S. Coast Guard has been made aware of a potential problem when installing CO2 cylinders that have bayonet tips in inflatable personal flotation devices (PFDs or life jackets). If a cylinder is not properly installed, the PFD will not inflate with CO2. The problem may affect several thousand PFDs, but the Coast Guard is only aware of one incident to date.

Some Mustang, Protexion, and Stearns/SOSpenders PFDs using Halkey-Roberts’ inflators can indicate a green “Ready” status when the CO2 cylinder is not properly installed. This false positive green indication occurs when the cylinder-bayonet assembly is inserted in the inflator, not turned, and the cylinder is not ejected.

Cylinders with bayonet tips are designed to be pushed in and turned 1/8th turn clockwise to a full stop to secure the cylinder. When the cylinder is not turned to secure it in place, the PFD will not inflate with CO2. The PFD may still be inflated orally. If the CO2 cylinder is not turned, the mechanism is supposed to eject it. In some production units a false positive green indication can be achieved by simply pushing the cylinder into the mechanism without turning it 1/8th turn to a full stop. According to the consumer report, a user was led to believe the cylinder-bayonet was properly engaged without turning it due to the firm seating of the cylinder-bayonet, which also prevented the cylinder-bayonet from ejecting as designed.

Consumers should check the model number of the PFD (located on the manufacturer’s label) to see if your PFD is affected. Updated cylinder installation instructions are on the home pages of manufacturers’ websites and at the Coast Guard website listed below. Review and follow the instructions. Check your device to ensure that the inserted CO2 cylinder-bayonet has been fully turned clockwise prior to use.

• Carbon Monoxide Advisory
• Boating Safety
• Water Safety
• RescYou Life Rafts Recall
• Inflatable Personal Flotation Devices

Recalls and Class Action Topics

• Boats and Boating Safety
• Consumer Products
• Environmental Products
• Foods Medicines Cosmetics
• Meat and Poultry Products
• Motor Vehicles Car Seats
• Product Recalls
• Recalls and Class Action Verdicts

Recalls and Class Action Videos

• Class Action Litigation
• Mass Torts
• Recalls and Class Actions

Recalls and Class Action Links

• Recalls and Class Action - U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Includes the most significant product actions of the last 60 days, based on the extent of distribution and the degree of health risk.