Crewsaver FAQ

Q. How often shall I get my Lifejacket serviced?|
Q. What is a Newton?|
Q. How do I know that my CO2 gas cylinder is safe to use?|
Q. What does my Product Serial Numbers Mean|
Q. What does the number mean on my inflation chamber?|
Q. What are the torque settings for my replacement CO2 gas cylinder?|
Q. What is the difference between a 55N 50N and 70N Buoyancy Aid?|
Q. What is the difference between a 150N and a 275N Lifejacket?|
Q. My auto capsule doesn't fit my Automatic Head?|
Q. What is the difference between a Hammar head and an Automatic head?|
Q. How do I remove my CO2 Gas Cylinder from my Hammar Lifejacket?|
Q. When to replace a capsule?|

Q. How often shall I get my Lifejacket serviced?|

Crewsaver advises that all lifejackets should be serviced annually.

This can be done here at our Mumby Road, Gosport address. Either bring in your jacket to Reception to be booked in by the receptionist or send your jacket to our address and include the filled in Service & Returns form filled in. Also include any specific requirements including timescale i.e. "Service and return by the 4th July". Note. We require a minimum of 2 weeks and we may have to advise longer during the peak season as we approach spring and summer.

Q. What is a Newton?|
A Newton is a metric measurement of force. To support a 1Kg weight you need a force of 9.8 Newtons. 1 Newton is equal to 0.225lbf. A 150N adult lifejacket will therefore support someone with an in water weight of 15.3Kg or 33.7lbs.

Q. How do I know that my CO2 gas cylinder is safe to use?|
Make sure there is no corrosion on the thread or heavy corrosion on the bottle.
There is min weight on the bottle as long as the bottle weighs more than at least this it is fine.

Q. What does my Product Serial Numbers Mean|
Product serial numbers will be allocated to all products after final assembly, testing and inspection and will conform to the following standard format.

Q. What does the number mean on my inflation chamber?|
This is positioned along the bottom edge of the left camber when worn.
Inflator The inflation chamber batch Identification will be printed on every inflator after testing and will conform to the following standard format and enables traceability of the product.

Material batch number: 017
Month: 01 = January, 02 = February, ... 12 = December
Year: 97 = 1997

Q. What are the tork torque settings for my replacement CO2 gas cylinder?|
Put a cloth over the head and firmly screw the cylinder in by hand.

Q. What is the difference between a 55N, 50N and 70N Buoyancy Aid?|
Buoyancy Aids are for using when help is near. All buoyancy aids are approved to the 50N standard but some are designed to have a greater amount of actual buoyancy for particular uses.
70N is for white water rafting and sports with fast running water. 70N is the minimum legal Newton in France.

Q. What is the difference between a 150N and a 275N Lifejacket?|
275N lifejacket is for people who are going to be wearing additional/heavy clothing when using the lifejacket. Additional air trapped in the clothing will affect how the lifejacket holds you in the water. The additional buoyancy of the 275N lifejacket will help overcome for example air trapped in the legs which would otherwise lower the head in the water.

Q. My auto capsule doesn't fit my Automatic Head?|
There are two rearming kits in the catalogue and they are based on the serial numbers of the jacket. Serial numbers starting with the letter L started to be sold in 2010.
For serial number starting with P and TL:
Junior 23g 11035
150N 33g 11036
275N 60g 11037
For serial number starting with number 0 to 9 or letter R:
Junior 23g 10018
150N 33g 10019
275N 60g 10475

Q. What is the difference between a Hammar head and an Automatic head?|
Both of these heads are activated by water triggering the mechanism.
In the Hammar head the mechanism is protected by a valve which only allows water to enter after it has reached a depth of 100mm (4 inches). This gives it a good resistance to being exposed to heavy weather.
The standard automatic head by its design is resistant to rainfall and relies on the lifejacket cover for resistance to wave action.
A Hammar head is activated by water pressure. Meaning if you are going to get very wet while wearing it, it will not inflate.
An Automatic head is activated by water. It is splash resistant as the water needs to travel through the capsule. But if you are going to get very wet then it will be activated.

Q. How do I remove my CO2 Gas Cylinder from my Hammar Lifejacket?|
There is no need to remove the Hammar head to inspect the gas cylinder unless you know that the lifejacket has inflated, the expiry date of the head has been reach or there has potentially been other damage caused. Should you need to replace the Hammar head Aa hammer head rearming kit comes with a key which unlocks the hammerhead. You can then remove the hammer from the jacket including the cylinder. The rearming kit or replacement head will come with furtherll instructions on how to rearm you lifejacket.

Q. When to replace a capsule?|
The capsule should be replaced according to the date shown on the capsule. When your lifejacket has inflated the capsule and the cylinder must be replaced.

Crewsaver MK5 MK3A Capsule R17005
All automatic lifejackets made from 2002

Shows “REPLACE BY (Year)” This capsule should be replaced by the “END” of that year
e.g. “REPLACE BY 2013” This capsule should be replaced by the “END” of 2013

Crewsaver MK53A Capsule (Vented) R17010
Current make of standard auto lifejackets

Shows “REPLACE BY (Month and Year)” This capsule should be replaced by the “END” of that Month in that year.
e.g. “REPLACE BY 02 2012” This capsule should be replaced by the “END” of February 2012

Crewsaver MK3 Shrouded Capsule
No date shown but they have now exceeded their recommended working life.