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DO NOT REMOVE PRIOR TO SALE!
OWNER’S MANUAL
Model No. 1339 and 1341
I. APPROVAL CONDITIONS and CARRIAGE REGULATIONS
This inflatable PFD is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for
use as a Type V Humidity Sensitive Personal Flotation Device
(PFD) with Type II performance. IT IS APPROVED ONLY
WHEN WORN. It is 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 PFD’s.
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CONDITIONS FOR THIS TYPE V APPROVAL This manual/automatic inflatable PFD is approved for use as a substitute for a Type II PFD ONLY WHEN WORN. Conditional approvals are granted by the Coast Guard for PFDs that: 1. Do not meet all the requirements for approval under the Type I through IV categories but offer other significant safety features, or 2. Have features or uses not found in Type I through IV PFDs that require special user knowledge. The conditions let the user overcome design traits that
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3. The PFD could inflate when you are in an awkward place or position. Owners of inflatable PFDs must understand the unique characteristics of these products so that they can use them safely. You must learn how to properly arm the PFD. Why: An improperly armed mechanism may not inflate the chamber. This PFD will not float you without being inflated. You must check the status of the mechanism and the CO 2 cylinder before each outing. If the cylinder cap is punctured there will be no gas to infl
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Why: The PFD could inflate when you are in an awkward place or position. Why: Automatic inflation after oral inflation could damage the PFD. Do not try to alter or modify the mechanism. If you are dissatisfied with the humidity resistance or other performance of this product, contact Stearns, Inc. at 1-800-783-2767. Why: Altering the mechanism may result in the failure of the device to inflate and provide the necessary buoyancy to float you. Why: Altering the PFD will void the U.S. Coast Guard
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III. INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE SPECIFICATIONS: Chest Size: 30 – 52 inches (76 - 132 cm) Weight Range: more than 90 pounds (40 kg) Age Range: 16 years of age and older Buoyancy (minimum): 33.7 Pounds (150 Newtons) when fully inflated Inflation System: Manual/Automatic Inflation Mechanism (located on your right side) Oral Tube (located on your left side) Pull Tab (located on your right side) used to manually activate the inflation mechanism and inflate the PFD. CO Cylinder: 33 gram, 1/2 inch threa
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The indicators are located on the mechanism at points A, B and C, as shown on Rearming Instructions on the back cover of this book. The mechanism itself is located on the PFD on the wearer’s right side. Indicator A shows the status of the manual activating lever. Be sure indicator Green Pin goes through both the plastic housing and the metal activating lever. Indicator B indicates whether a water sensing pill is in place. If this indicator is red, there is no pill in place and the mechanism can
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Additiona l Note s on CO Cylinders : 2 • FAILURE t o properly rearm t he inflat ion mechanism prior t o inst alling t he CO Cy linder will result in 2 premat ure ac tiv at ion of t he c y linder. • CO Cy linders are only good f or one inflat ion and 2 c annot be recharged. • CO Cy linders are made with a prot ec t iv e c oat ing t hat 2 may wear of f af t er a period of us e or ex pos ure t o t he environment . When t his c oat ing is worn of f, t he CO 2 Cy linder may s t art t o s how s ome s
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A f ter donning, locate the Jerk To Infl a te tab f or the mechanism. It should protrude f rom the PFD as show n on the pictogram. Make sure that you are comf ortable locating the Jerk To Infl a te tab w ith either hand. Should an emergency develop, be prepared to use it! A lw ays w ear your PFD over, not under clothing. Caution: bulky clothing may af fect the ability of this PFD to turn the w earer to a f ace-up position in the w ater. Practice closing hardw are and adjusting straps before use
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5. Other Inflation Precautions • Caution: Do not fully inflate orally then manually or automatically inflate with the CO cylinder. Repeated CO 2 2 inflation after oral inflation will damage the PFD to the point that it will not hold air or float. • Never inflate this PFD with a Pump or Air-Compressor. • Permeation loss is greater when the device is inflated with CO than with air, and earlier replenishment by means of the 2 oral inflation system will therefore be necessary. REARMING AND INDICA
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(See page 13 for repair station locations/information.) In an emergency situation, hold thumb over the valve if it will not close. Refer to the back inside cover for REPACKING INSTRUCTIONS. FREEZING TEMPERATURES At or below 40° F (4° C) automatic activation and inflation time with CO gas will be longer. Wearing a partially inflated PFD in 2 these conditions will provide some initial buoyancy while the PFD fully inflates. Caution: Do not fully inflate orally and then inflate with the CO cylinde
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IV. IS YOUR PFD IN GOOD AND SERVICEABLE CONDITION? Check your PFD between outings to be sure that it is properly armed; that it is free of rips, tears or holes; that all seams are securely sewn; and that the fabric, straps and hardware are still strong. Inspect the inflatable portion of the PFD in accordance with Care and Maintenance Instructions. V. CARE AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS GENERAL PRODUCT LIFE EXPECTANCY The reliability and service life of this PF
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no leakage and chamber is in operational condition. If the chamber deflates, immediately bring to a Stearns certified Repair Facility for repair. The device is no longer in operational condition. 3. Automatic Inflation System – This test should be performed during years when the PFD is not inspected by a certified repair facility. With device packed as normal, immerse the device into a tub of water and see if it inflates. DRY, REARM and REPACK as shown on back cover of pamphlet. 4. Function
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• DO NOT STORE PILLS (WATER SENSING ELEMENTS) IN HIGH HUMIDITY OR HIGH TEMPERATURES (OVER 100°F) FOR AN EXTENDED TIME. • DO NOT STORE PILLS (WATER SENSING ELEMENTS) FOR MORE THAN 18 MONTHS BEFORE USE. REPAIR If you have any question about the condition or integrity of this product call 1-800-STEARNS (1-800-783-2767). A damaged device must be discarded. SERVICING Stearns strongly recommends that this device be inspected at least every 24 months by a certified Stearns Repair Facility or STEARNS In
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VII. HOW AND WHY TO TEST YOUR PFD? Inflate your PFD and try it out in the water to: • Make sure it floats you: Comfortably (When worn properly) Adequately for expected wave conditions (Body shapes/densities affect performance) • Make sure it works: A flow of bubbles should not appear (See Section V for leak tests) It should inflate quick and easily • Learn how it works by: Activating the CO inflation system 2 Rearming the CO inflation system 2 Using the Oral inflator tube The U.S. Coast Guard re
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4. See if the 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 PFD. Remove the used CO cylinder and the used pill from the PFD inflator. 2 Deflate the PFD using the oral inflator. 6. Let the PFD dry thoroughly. REARM and REPACK the PFD in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction
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4. Get into shallow water, just deep enough that you can stand with your head above the surface. 5. See if the 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. 6. Get out of the water and remove the PFD. Remove the used CO cylinder from the PFD inflator. Completely deflate 2 the PFD using the oral inflator. 7. Let the PFD dr
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9. Let the PFD dry thoroughly. REARM and REPACK the PFD in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions! VIII. WEAR YOUR PFD In approximately 80 percent of all boating fatalities, the victims were not wearing a PFD. Most fatal accidents happen on calm sunny days. This inflatable PFD is much more comfortable to wear than other PFD types. Get into the habit of wearing this PFD. Non-swimmers and children especially should wear a hybrid or non-inflatable PFD at all times when on or near the wa
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jacket style PFD or a Type V Thermal Protective PFD as they cover more of the body than the vest or belt style PFDs. Some Points to Remember About Hypothermia Protection: 1. Always wear your PFD. Even if you become incapacitated due to hypothermia, the PFD will keep you afloat and greatly improve your chances of rescue. 2. Do not attempt to swim unless it is to reach a nearby craft, fellow survivor, or a floating object on which you can lean or climb. Swimming increases the rate of body heat lo
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X. EACH OF THESE DEVICES IS INTENDED TO HELP YOU SAVE YOUR OWN LIFE For your PFD to function properly, follow these suggestions to verify that it fits, floats, and remains in good condition. 1. Check cylinder cap to be sure it has not been punctured, before each use. 2. Check the inflation mechanism status indicators before each use. 3. Get in the habit of rearming the inflation mechanism right after each inflation. 4. This PFD requires rearming with a new cylinder, pill and indicators after eac
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XI. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you need more information about PFDs and safe recreational 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; or call the Coast Guard Customer InfoLine at 1-800-368-5647 or the Free Boating Course number 1-800-336-BOAT (in VA, 1-800-245-BOAT) or see the USCG Boating Web Page at www.uscgboating.org. DO NOT ATTACH PFD'S TO YOUR BOAT Each PFD has straps, hooks, buckles
