Uninspected Commercial Vessels: USCG Approved Type V
MD3087Inflatable PFD
Manual with Automatic Backup Inflation Model
Recreational: USCG Approved Type II
Uninspected Commercial Vessels: USCG Approved Type V
DO NOT REMOVE PRIOR TO SALE
CONTENTS
Page
1 Approval Conditions and Carriage Regulations
1 Note to Uninspected Commercial Vessel Operators
2 Why are PFDs Required Safety Equipment?
2 What is an Inflatable PFD?
2 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
7 Special Considerations for Automatic Devices (MD3087)
7 Deflating the Inflatable PFD
8 Usage Below Freezing
8 Re-arming Your PFD (MD3085)
10 Re-arming Your PFD (MD3087)
13 Repacking
14 Is Your PFD in Good and Servicable Condition?
14 Care and Maintenance Instructions
16 Cleaning and Storing of Your Inflatable PFD (MD3085)
17 Cleaning and Storing of Your Inflatable PFD (MD3087)
17 How and Why to Test Your PFD
18 Model MD3087
18 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Automatic Inflator?
(MD3087)
19 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Manual Inflator?
19 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Oral Inflator?
20 Wear Your PFD
20 Hypothermia
22 Each of These Devices is Intended to Help You Save Your Own
Life
22 Inflatable PFD Safety Accessories
23 Additional Information
Recreational - This Inflatable PFD is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) for use as a Type III (Model MD3085), Type II (Model MD3087)
Personal Flotation Device (PFD). They are not approved for water skiing
or other high impact, high-speed 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 Inflatable 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.
Commercial - Models MD3085 and MD3087 are U.S. Coast Guard
approved Type V inflatable PFDs, approved ONLY WHEN WORN for use on
uninspected commercial vessels less than 40 feet in length not carrying
passengers for hire as a substitute for a Type III PFD (MD3085), Type II
PFD (MD3087) when used in accordance with this owner’s manual.
Conditions for Type V Approval in commercial applications:
1. The Inflatable PFD must be worn before getting underway and
whenever above deck and not within an enclosed space to meet the
carriage requirement.
2. The operator of an uninspected commercial vessel is responsible for
servicing and maintaining the Inflatable PFD in good serviceable
condition in accordance with this owner’s manual. See Care and
Maintenance Instructions (p. 14) for servicing information.
3. The operator of an uninspected commercial vessel is responsible for
providing each person onboard with the safety information required
for use of the Inflatable PFD. See page 1 for information.
NOTE TO UNINSPECTED COMMERCIAL VESSEL
OPERATORS
The operator of the vessel is required to provide the following user
information to each person on board.
Inflatable PFDs will not provide any buoyancy without being inflated.
Follow these instructions to be sure your PFD is armed and donned
correctly, and that you understand how to inflate the device.
Basic visual inspection for readiness, see p. 3
Inflation system status check, see p. 4
Donning, see p. 4
Inflation, see p. 5
WHY ARE PFDS REQUIRED SAFETY EQUIPMENT?
Drownings are the leading cause of fatalities involving recreational
boating. 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 lb (3.2 to
5.5kg) 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
Inflatable PFD so you know what to do in an emergency.
WHAT IS AN INFLATABLE PFD?
While traditional PFDs are inherently buoyant, inflatable PFDs, rely
entirely on inflation for buoyancy. Uninflated, the Inflatable PFD is a
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 (MD3085) can be
inflated either manually by jerking a pull-tab, or orally (by mouth). The
Inflatable PFD (MD3087) can be inflated either automatically during
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. 2).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
This manual supplies instructional, maintenance and safety information
for all models (MD3085 and MD3087) unless specified otherwise. The
model number is listed on the underside label.
This Inflatable PFD is not approved for “hot work” and care must be
taken to avoid damage from abrasion and sharp objects.
Component Inspection Instructions
1) Examine the service indicator through the window panel (Fig. 1).
Ensure the service indicator is green. If the service indicator is red,
the mechanism has been fired or is incorrectly fitted (see Re-arming
Your PFD (for your model)).
NOTE: The service indicator must be green before proceeding.
2) Undo the Velcro™ strips along both sides of the PFD.
FIGURE 1
3) Ensure the oral-inflation dust cap is in the stowed position (Fig. 6).
4) Ensure the service indicator is green and the pull-tab lanyard is
hanging on the outside (Fig. 1); secure the Velcro™ strips on both
sides of the Inflatable PFD.
5) For the MD3087 only - Ensure the bobbin is valid. The PFD, or bobbin,
must have been purchased within the last three (3) years. If the
purchase date is unknown, check the date printed on the bobbin
and replace if older than three (3) years (see Re-arming Your PFD
(MD3087), p. 10).
Readiness Checklist
Check your Inflatable PFD and ensure all of the checkpoints listed below
are true before use.
■ Service indicator is green (Fig. 1).
■ No rips, tears or holes; all seams are securely sewn; and the fabric,
straps and hardware are still strong.
■ All Velcro™ and waist belt are securely fastened.
■ Inflatable PFD is not twisted.
■ Oral-inflation dust cap is in the stowed position (Fig. 6).
■ For the MD3087 only - Ensure the bobbin is valid. The PFD, or bobbin,
must have been purchased within the last three (3) years. If the
purchase date is unknown, check the date printed on the bobbin
and replace if older than three (3) years (see Re-arming Your PFD
(MD3087), p. 10).
Your Inflatable PFD is ready for use if all applicable boxes are checked.
NOTE: Contact your Mustang Dealer if you have any concerns
about the readiness of your Inflatable PFD.
Sizing and Fit
This PFD provides a minimum of 33.7 lbs of buoyancy when inflated and
is designed for wearers over 16 years of age, with a chest range of 30-52
inches (76-132 cm) weighing over 80 pounds (36 kg).
Donning Instructions
It is important that the Inflatable PFD is properly adjusted to fit the
person wearing it. An incorrect fit or improper fastening of attachments
could impede its effectiveness.
1) All belts and straps are already threaded correctly and only need to
MD3085 MD3087
Manual Inflator Automatic Inflator
be adjusted for fit. The belt should fit below your rib cage adjusted to
a tight personal fit.
2) Put the Inflatable PFD on just like a jacket (Fig. 2) 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.
WARNING: Do not wear Inflatable PFDs under clothing as the
inflation could be restricted or you could be injured.
FIGURE 2
Inflating Your Inflatable PFD
It is recommended that the following procedures be followed to inflate
your Inflatable PFD:
1) Manual
Activate the
tab (Fig. 3). The Inflatable PFD should fully inflate within 5 seconds.
FIGURE 3
Inflation
inflation system by jerking firmly downward on the pull-
2) Automatic Backup Inflation (MD3087)
Inflation will occur automatically within 10 seconds after the inflator
is immersed in water. The water-sensing bobbin will disintegrate,
triggering a spring-loaded plunger, which punctures the CO2
cylinder
(Figs. 8 and 10) to inflate the Inflatable PFD.
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.
IMPOR
TANT
: See Special Considerations for Automatic Devices
3) Oral Inflation
Properly armed and inspected Inflatable PFDs will inflate when
manually or automatically activated. However, you can fully inflate
the Inflatable PFD by mouth (Fig. 4) should inflation not occur, or if
you are in a non-emergency situation. To orally inflate the Inflatable
PFD, first locate the oral inflation tube by opening the wearer ’s left
front panel of the Inflatable PFD. Remove the dust cap from the end
of the oral tube and blow into the tube until the Inflatable PFD is
fully inflated.
Place the oral inflator dust cap back in the stowed position (Fig. 6).