Mustang Survival MD0450 22 User Manual

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MUSTANG SURVIVAL

INFLATABLE VEST
WITH LIFTTM

Owner’s Manual

MD0450 22 Inflatable Vest with LIFT

Hydrostatic Inflation Model - Manual with Automatic Backup

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US Patent No. 6,832,415 and Patents Pending

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CONTENTS

Page

1 Introduction

1 Why are PFDs Required Safety Equipment?
2 What is an Inflatable PFD?
3 Instructions for Use
3 Component Inspection Instructions
4 Readiness Checklist
5 Donning Instructions
6 Inflation
8 In-water Adjustments
9 Special Considerations for Automatic Devices
10 Deflation
10 Usage Below Freezing
11 Re-arming Your PFD
15 Auto/Manual Conversion Cap (MA7219) Instructions
15 Conversion Instructions
17 Repacking
23 Is Your PFD in Good and Serviceable Condition?
24 Care and Maintenance Instructions
26 Cleaning and Storing
26 How and Why to Test Your PFD
27 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Automatic Inflator?
27 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Manual Inflator?
28 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Oral Inflator?
29 Wear Your PFD
30 Hypothermia
31 Each of These Devices is Intended to Help You Save Your Life
32 Safety Accessories
32 Do Not Attach PFDs to Your Boat

32 Airline Operator Policy on Carriage of Inflatable PFDs

Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM Owner’s Manual i

INTRODUCTION

The MD0450 22 requires user involvement to ensure a level of safety
equal to other inflatable PFDs. Knowledgeable users increase their safety
significantly by wearing and using these PFDs as prescribed in this
owner’s manual.

General - This Inflatable PFD will turn most wearers from a face
down to a face up position and provide support suitable for offshore
conditions. See page 11 for re-arming instructions.

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.

To be considered serviceable, this PFD shall not exhibit deterioration
that could diminish its performance such as broken or deformed
hardware, detached webbing, rotted structural components, air leaks,
or nonfunctional oral inflation tube. Unless worn inflated, this PFD must
also be properly armed with a full CO
indicator, and a manual inflation beaded handle accessible outside the
user’s right front panel cover (Fig. 1). The chest buckle, on the Inflatable
Vest with LIFTTM, must be fastened after inflation.

cylinder, inflation system status

2

WHY ARE PFDS REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT?

Drownings are the leading cause of fatalities involving recreational and
commercial vessels. A PFD provides flotation to help keep your head
above water, help you to stay face up in the water, and increase your
chances for survival and rescue. Most adults only need an extra 7 to 12
kg (3.2 to 5.5 pounds) of flotation to keep their heads above water. The
proper size PFD will properly support the weight of the wearer.

Since this Inflatable PFD does not have inherent buoyancy, it provides
flotation only when inflated. Familiarize yourself with the use of this

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Inflatable PFD so you know what to do in an emergency.

WHAT IS AN INFLATABLE PFD?

Congratulations on the purchase of your Inflatable Vest with Patent
Pending LIFT

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[Life-saving Inflatable Flotation Technology]. LIFTTM is
different from all other inflatable PFD’s. In general, inflatable PFD’s are
designed to suspend a user’s head above water to prevent drowning.
The Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM provides freeboard that far exceeds the
minimal 3” generally provided. LIFT

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elevates you to an upright safe
position and delivers up to 9” of freeboard, the highest ever seen in
a PFD, keeping your mouth high above the water line to minimize the
risk of mouth immersions. Not only is LIFTTM one of the world’s best
performing PFD’s in wave conditions, but it’s comfortable too. Light and
ergonomically designed – you can’t even tell you’re wearing it until you
need it.

While traditional PFDs are inherently buoyant, inflatable PFDs like the

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Inflatable Vest with LIFT
Uninflated, the Inflatable Vest
inflated at any time with a 38-gram CO
with LIFT

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is designed to meet the demands of a full protection PFD

rely entirely upon inflation for buoyancy.

with LIFTTM is comfortable and can be

gas cylinder. The Inflatable Vest

2

offering maximum mobility with minimum bulk. The Inflatable Vest with
LIFTTM can be inflated either automatically during immersion, manually
by pulling a beaded handle, or by mouth. It is imperative that you
familiarize yourself with the procedures outlined in INSTRUCTIONS FOR
USE (p. 3).

Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM Owner’s Manual 2

INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE

FOLD #3

FOLD #1

FOLD #2

Right Lobe

FOLD #3

FOLD #2

FOLD #1

Left Lobe

Oral Inflator

Window

Beaded
Handle

Front Buckle

Hydrostatic
Inflator

MD0450 Unpacked

Cover Panel

Chest Strap

Waist Belt

Chest
Buckle

Velcro Tab

Single
Po

int
Status
Indicator

Water Inlet Valve

Lanyard

Beaded
Handle

Hydrostatic Inflator Cap

Yellow Inflator Cap
Cap/Locking Ring

Tabs

Black Locking Ring

Inflator
Body
Expiry
Date

This manual supplies instructional, maintenance and safety information
for model MD0450 22 unless specified otherwise. The model number is
listed on the label.

FIGURE 1

FIGURE 2

Component Inspection Instructions

1) Examine the single point indicator through the window panel. Ensure
the single point indicator is green. If the single point indicator is red,
the mechanism has been fired or is incorrectly fitted (Fig. 2). See

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RE-ARMING YOUR PFD (p. 11).

NOTE: The single point indicator must be green before
proceeding.

2) Open the cover at wearer’s right-hand side of the chest and lay the
device flat.

3) Ensure the oral-inflation dust cap is in the stowed position (Fig. 22).

4) Ensure the single point indicator is green and the beaded handle is
attached to it’s Velcro tab; secure the zippers on the Inflatable Vest

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with LIFT

(see Repacking, p. 17).

5) Ensure the date on the inflator is not five years or older (Fig. 2). If it
is, replace the inflator (see Re-arming Your PFD, p. 11).

Readiness Checklist

Check your Inflatable Vest with LIFT

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and ensure all of the checkpoints

listed below are true before each use.

■ Single point indicator is green.

■ Ensure the current date is not past the date on the inflator. If it is,

replace the inflator (see Re-arming Your PFD, p. 11).

■ All zippers, Velcro™ and waist buckle are securely fastened.

■ Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM is not twisted.

■ Oral-inflation dust cap is in the stowed position (Fig. 22).

■ Ensure the beaded handle is placed through the opening and is

attached to the Velcro tab on the outside of the vest (Fig. 35).

■ No rips, tears or holes; all seams are securely sewn; and the fabric,

straps and hardware are still strong.

Your Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM is ready for use if all boxes are checked.

NOTE: Contact your Mustang Dealer if you have any concerns
about the readiness of your Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM.

Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM Owner’s Manual 4

Donning Instructions

It is important that the PFD is properly adjusted to fit the person wearing
it. An incorrect fit or improper fastening of attachments could reduce its
effectiveness.

1) Put the Inflatable Vest with LIFT
the Inflatable Vest with LIFT

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on just like a jacket (Fig. 3). If

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is already inflated prior to donning,

it may be excessively tight while donning. If so, expel some air by

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depressing the oral tube valve, don the Inflatable Vest with LIFT
and refill Inflatable Vest with LIFT

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by mouth using the oral tube.

,

2) Fasten the front waist belt buckle (Fig 3). Adjust the waist belt to a
secure fit using the front adjuster on the belt.

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WARNING: Do not wear the Inflatable Vest with LIFT

under
other clothing or harness systems as the inflation could be
restricted and you could be injured.

FIGURE 3

NOTE: Heavy objects in the pockets may cause the PFD to sink
if dropped overboard when not inflated.

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3) Fasten the middle buckle (Fig. 4). Adjust the middle belt to a secure
fit using the front adjuster on the belt.

FIGURE 4

IMPORTANT: Ensure the
chest buckle is fastened,
when inflated (Fig. 4).

4) Feed the loose end of the waist belt into the belt opening in the
storage pocket (Fig. 5).

FIGURE 5

Inflation

It is recommended that the following procedures be followed to inflate

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your Inflatable Vest with LIFT

.

Manual Inflation

1) Activate the inflation system by grasping the beaded handle and jerk

Inflatable Vest with LIFTTM Owner’s Manual 6

firmly downward. The PFD should fully inflate within 5 seconds (Fig.

Fastened
Chest Strap

6).

NOTE: Deflation may occur if the CO2 cylinder is removed
while the Inflatable Vest with LIFT

FIGURE 6

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is inflated.

2) Fasten the chest straps (Fig. 7) and adjust to a snug fit.

Important: Ensure the chest buckle is fastened, when inflated.

FIGURE 7

Automatic Backup Inflation

Inflation will occur automatically within 5 seconds after the inflator is
immersed in water. Hydrostatic pressure opens the water inlet valve
allowing the water-sensing element to disintegrate, triggering a spring­loaded plunger, which punctures the CO
Vest with LIFT

7 MUSTANG SURVIVAL

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(Fig. 7).

cylinder inflating the Inflatable

2

NOTE: Hydrostatic inflator must be submerged in at least 4 inches
of water to activate the inflator.

NOTE: When inflated, the carbon dioxide (CO

gas) used to inflate

2

PFDs will slowly escape through the cell 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 prolonged immersion.

Oral Inflation

Properly armed and inspected Inflatable Vest with LIFT

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PFDs will inflate
when manually or automatically activated. However, you can fully inflate
the PFD by mouth (Fig. 8) should inflation not occur, or if you are in a
non-emergency situation.

To orally inflate the PFD, first locate the oral inflation tube by opening
the wearer’s right front panel cover of the PFD. Then remove the dust cap
from the end of the oral tube and blow into the tube until the PFD is
fully inflated.

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It may be neccessary to manually release the Velcro

tabs, located at the
bottom of the left and right panel covers, for full inflation because oral
inflation may not provide sufficient pressure to open the tabs.

CAUTION: CO2 inflation could over-pressurize and damage your
PFD if already orally inflated.

FIGURE 8

Inflatable Vest with LIFT

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Owner’s Manual 8