SWITLIK Techfloat User manual

THROWABLE LIFT & RESCUE DEVICE
Owner's Manual

This publication is issued as the owner's manual for the Switlik Techfloat
Throwable Lift & Rescue Device, part number TF-3500-1.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2019 by Switlik Parachute Company, Inc.
This manual may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by any means,
without permission. For information, address all questions to:
Switlik Parachute Company
1325 E. State Street
Trenton, NJ 08607
[phone]
[phone] FAX
www.switlik.com

Table of Contents
TOC
Chapter
Page
WARNINGS
1
Description
2
Operating Instructions
3
Operating Limitations
Pressure
6
Temperature
6
Auto-inflation
6
Care & Servicing Instructions
Cleaning
7
Servicing
7
Identification Label
7
Cleaning-Detailed
8
Servicing-Detailed
Testing
8
Preparing to Pack
8
Rearming the Inflator
10
Folding the Techfloat
13
Packing the Techfloat
20
Packing the Retrieval Line
24
Final Assembly
26
Replacing the Auto-Inflator Bobbin
31
Storage
32
Replacement Parts
33
Servicing Record
34

WARNINGS
1
WARNING! Read these instructions fully before use. Failure to do
so may result in injury or death.
WARNING! This device must be used in accordance with the
instructions in this manual for maximum performance. Failure to
comply with instructions could result in a lower level of performance or
in failure of the device, which could result in death. Under some
circumstances, even if used properly this device may not save your
life.
WARNING! The Techfloat is designed to inflate automatically upon
immersion in water. Do not allow the unit to get wet until it is actually
needed. In the event that the unit does not automatically inflate, it
must be manually activated with the pull tab for use as a flotation
device.
WARNING! Do not inflate this device orally via the included oral
inflation tubes and then pull the inflation tab. This could cause injury
and may overstress the buoyancy chamber.
WARNING! This device is not designed to satisfy the requirements of
a life raft for extended durations.This unit is designed for man-
overboard or individual rescue operations.
WARNING! This unit requires limited periodic maintenance to ensure
operation in an emergency. Do not use this unit if it has not been
properly maintained. See “Care and Maintenance” section for
additional details.
WARNING! Do not open or otherwise disassemble this device until
needed. Maintenance should be performed only when needed. See
“Care and Maintenance” section for additional details.
WARNING! Never use this device if it has obvious damage.

Description
2
The Switlik TechfloatThrowable Lift and Rescue Device is designed to
help first responders in situations involving a victim in the water. The
device consists of an auto-inflating underarm sling (35 lbs buoyancy)
with 100’ of floating line in a wearable valise that is designed to allow
the user to maintain connection with the victim at all times during the
rescue.
The device includes stainless steel lifting rings paired with tubular
webbing that can easily support one or two victims in the event where
hoisting is necessary. The floating line is visible in the water and the
cylindrical shape of the uninflated unit allows it to be thrown far
distances to reach the victim.
The unit can be rearmed and repacked by the user.
When needed, sling the valise over your head and across your chest,
with the device resting on your hip, opposite the side of your throwing
arm, and with the black end cap facing forward. Unbuckle the end cap,
open the cap, grab the webbing handle with your throwing hand and
pull the device from its valise. Using a strong underhand toss, throw
the device near the victim. The rope will pay out of the line bag. Upon
contact with water, the auto-inflator will activate, releasing CO2gas
from the attached cylinder, and inflate the Techfloat. After the victim
secures the device around their body and underneath their arms, pull
in the retrieval line with both hands. The recovered person can be
removed from the water by hoist or winch, if desired, using the
stainless steel rings attached to the device’s lifting straps.

Operating Instructions
3
1. Grab valise and sling over head and across chest. Black
end cap faces forward on side opposite throwing arm.
2. Unbuckle end cap and pull Techfloat flotation device from
valise by the webbing handle with your throwing hand.

Operating Instructions
4
An alternate method to anchor the end of the retrieval line is to
detach the shoulder sling snap shackle from the valise and secure
it to a fixture such as a post or handrail.
3. Throw flotation device near victim.
On contact with the water, the Techfloat will inflate and victim
can don under arms.
NOTE: If the auto-inflator fails to function, the
device can still be inflated by pulling the red pull tab.

Operating Instructions
5
4. Pull in retrieval line with both hands after victim is secured
in Underarm Flotation Device
5. Use rings on lifting straps to hoist victim, if necessary.

Operating Limitations
6
PRESSURE:
Underarm Flotation Device
Normal operating pressure: 2 psi
TEMPERATURE:
The Techfloat is designed to operate between a temperature range of
32º F and 140º F.
At normal and higher temperatures, the raft will inflate to full-design
shape within 10 seconds or less. At lower temperatures, inflation may
take longer.
AUTO-INFLATION:
Auto-inflator attached to unit must remain dry to avoid accidental
inflation inside the valise.

Care & Servicing Instructions
7
CLEANING:
The Techfloat valise and flotation device may be cleaned with mild
soap and water. Never use harsh chemicals on or around this product.
If exposed to harsh chemicals such as hydraulic fluids, oils or solvents,
have the unit cleaned and inspected by an authorized service center.
SERVICING:
The Switlik Techfloat Throwable Lift and Rescue Device can be
serviced by the user.However, only authorized parts may be used to
service this device. See the parts section for available parts.
The Bobbin in the Auto-Inflator should be replaced every year. It
also needs to be replaced after an actual deployment. Refer to the
instructions attached to the inflator or the “SERVICING – detailed”
section of this manual.
WARNING: For servicing or repairs beyond the scope of this
manual, or if you’re not confident in the self-inspection
servicing of your device in accordance with these
instructions, return your Techfloat to a factory-
authorized service center.
NOTE: Service Stations are to follow manual 25-61-25 for
testing per service information letter STG-19165.
IDENTIFICATION LABEL:
Located inside the end cap on the valise is an identification label. The
label contains the part number and serial number of your device. It
also has an area for your contact information.
OWNER:
ADDRESS:
PHONE:
PART NUMBER: TF-3500-
SERIAL NUMBER: TF-

Care & Servicing Instructions
8
CLEANING - detailed
1. With the Techfloat inflated, wash with fresh water. A mild soap
may also be used.
a. Be sure to also wash the retrieval line that was in the water.
b. Remove the cap on the auto-inflator (twist counter-clockwise),
remove the yellow bobbin and wash out the white residue in the
cap and inside the inflator.
c. Allow to air dry. DO NOT PLACE IN DRYER.
2. When dry, untie the retrieval line from the Techfloat and place the
unit on a clean work area, free of anything that could damage or
puncture it.
Continue with “SERVICING – detailed” instructions below.
SERVICING – detailed
TESTING
Inflate Techfloat through oral tube until firm and let stand overnight.
A leaking Techfloat will not hold firmness and should be replaced.
PREPARING TO REPACK
1. Remove the CO2bottle.
a. If holding the inflator in your left
hand, and holding the cylinder in
your right, twist the cylinder
counter-clockwise to remove.
b. Discard used cylinder.
c. If cylinder has not been
punctured, check for corrosion
and check that its weight meets
the minimum weight marked on
the cylinder. If there’s no
corrosion and the weight is good,
you can re-use the cylinder.

Care & Servicing Instructions
9
2. Remove trapped air from the device.
a. Invert the dust cap on the oral tube, pressing it back into the
end of the tube to deflate the Techfloat.
b. Starting at the opposite end, roll the device towards the oral
tube, squeezing out all the air. Repeat, as needed, to expel all
air from the unit.

Care & Servicing Instructions
10
c. When all the air has been expelled, pull out the dust cap to
close the oral valve. Turn it back over and cap off the oral tube
with it.
REARMING THE INFLATOR
1. If not previously accomplished:
a. Remove the cap on the auto-inflator (twist counter-clockwise).
b. Remove the yellow bobbin and discard.

Care & Servicing Instructions
11
c. Check the cap and inflator to be sure they are clean and dry.
2. Check the date on the new bobbin in the rearm kit. The date
should not be over three (3) years from today’s date.
3. Install new bobbin in inflator. It can only go in one way. If it slides
in smooth and easy, it’s in correctly.
4. Re-install the cap on the inflator. Hand-tighten, only. The red color
in the cap will be replaced by a green color when fully installed.
5. If the green indicator clip is missing or broken, place a new clip
over the red lever by aligning the arms on the clip with the slots in
the inflator. There’s a little cut-out on the end where the cord goes.
Push firmly in the middle of the clip to snap in place.
6. Check the cylinder seat seal inside the inflator. If it’s worn, remove
and replace it with a new one.

Care & Servicing Instructions
12
7. Install the CO2cylinder.
a. Place the hole in the Halkey-Roberts rearming instructions over
the threaded end of the cylinder. Wrap the instructions around
the cylinder.
b. Thread the cylinder into the inflator assembly, using the right-
hand rule, until it is bottomed out. Then, torque to 25 ± 5 in-lbs.
(approximately ½ turn).

Care & Servicing Instructions
13
FOLDING THE TECHFLOAT
1. Lay out Techfloat on a clean, flat surface. The side with the red
oral tube should be facing up.
2. Grab the end with the oral tube and pull it over to the opposite end
until the cap of the auto-inflator is visible.

Care & Servicing Instructions
14
3. Grab the fold you just made and fold it over again to a length of
about 11 inches.

Care & Servicing Instructions
15
4. Flip device over. The auto-inflator and cylinder will now be on the
bottom. Do not twist the lifting straps.

Care & Servicing Instructions
16
5. Grab the top end of the device, with the female part of the buckle,
and pull it back to the opposite end.