Mustang Survival MD3183 User manual

Owner’s Manual
MD3183 Inflatable PFD
Hydrostatic Inflation Model - Manual with Automatic Backup
Recreational: USCG Approved Type II
Uninspected Commercial Vessels: USCG Approved Type V
MD3184 Inflatable PFD
Hydrostatic Inflation Model - Manual with Automatic Backup
with Harness
Recreational: USCG Approved Type V
DO NOT REMOVE PRIOR TO SALE

CONTENTS
Page 1 Approval Conditions and Carriage Requirements
2 Note to Uninspected Commercial Vessel Operators
2 Why are PFDs Required Safety Equipment?
2 What is an Inflatable PFD?
3 Instructions for Use
4 Uninspected Commercial Vessel Use
4 Component Inspection Instructions
4 Readiness Checklist
5 Sizing and Fit
5 Donning Instructions
5 Inflating Your Inflatable PFD
7 Special Considerations for Inflatable Devices
7 Deflating the Inflatable PFD
8 Usage Below Freezing
9 Re-arming Your PFD
13 Repacking
16 Sailing Harness
17 Is Your PFD in Good and Servicable Condition?
17 Care and Maintenance Instructions
19 Cleaning and Storing of Your Inflatable PFD
19 How and Why to Test Your PFD
20 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Automatic Inflator?
21 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Manual Inflator?
21 How Do You Test Your PFD Using the Oral Inflator?
22 Wear Your PFD
22 Hypothermia
24 Each of These Devices is Intended to Help You Save Your Own
Life
25 Inflatable PFD Safety Accessories
25 Additional Information
25 Airline Operator Policy on Carriage of Inflatable PFDs and CO2
Cartridges
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APPROVAL CONDITIONS AND CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
Approved for recreational use by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) as a
Type II (Model MD3183), or Type V (Model MD3184) Personal Flotation
Device (PFD). Neither are approved for water skiing or other high impact,
high-speed activities. Model MD3184 has Type II performance but is
approved as a Type V PFD because it has a built-in sailing harness that
can cause injury if not properly used. A separate section titled “SAILING
HARNESS” (p. 15) discusses requirements and features on the MD3184
only. USCG approval does not apply to the sailing harness because some
of the risks associated with its use have not been evaluated.
Model MD3183 is a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type V inflatable PFD,
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 II PFD when used in accordance with this owner’s
manual.
NOTE: MD3184 is not USCG approved for Uninspected Commercial
Vessels.
Conditions for Type V Approval in commercial applications:
1. The MD3183 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 MD3183 in good serviceable condition
in accordance with this owner’s manual. See Care and Maintenance
Instructions (p. 17) 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 MD3183. See page 2 for information.
When fully inflated, the MD3183 will provide Type II in-water
performance. The MD3183 will turn most wearers from a face down to a
face up position and provide support suitable for offshore conditions. See
page 9 for re-arming instructions.
Inflatable PFDs are not approved for water skiing or other high-speed
activities. This Inflatable PFD was designed to be more comfortable and
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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. Users of inflatable PFDs must be
at least 16 years old.
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. 4
Inflation system status check, see p. 4
Donning, see p. 5
Inflation, see p. 6
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
pounds (15.4 to 26.4 kg) 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
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CO2 gas cylinder. The Inflatable PFD is designed to offer maximum
mobility with minimum bulk. The Inflatable PFD can be inflated either
automatically by 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. 3).
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
This manual supplies instructional, maintenance and safety information
for both models (MD3183, MD3184). The model number is listed on the
underside label.
Oral Inflator
(behind cell)
Velcro
TM
Tab
Pull-tab
Front
Buckle
Hydrostatic
Inflator
MD3183 Unpacked
Adjustment
Point
Zipper
End
Waist Belt
FIGURE 1
Single
Point
Status
Indicator
Water Inlet Valve
Lanyard
Manual Inflation
Pull-tab
Hydrostatic Inflator Cap
Yellow Inflator Cap
Cap/Locking Ring
Tabs
Black Locking Ring
Inflator
Body
Expiry
Date
FIGURE 2
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