CO₂ cartridge in all SECUMAR lifejacket cannot inadvertently unscrew from the inflation device during its intended use. In fact, the SECUMAR inflation devices were designed to precisely avoid this scenario.

Since 1992 all automatically inflatable SECUMAR lifejackets for leisure and professional use incorporate one of the following two SECUMAR inflation devices:

1. SECUMATIC 3001S (since 1992)
2. SECUMATIC 4001S (since 1999)

The two inflation device are described in more detail below.

1. SECUMATIC 3001S inflation device

The SECUMATIC 3001S was developed by SECUMAR in the late 1980s and was launched to market in 1992. It has a unique torque system to secure the CO₂ cartridge in the inflation device. Furthermore, it has several indicators that show the operational status of the SECUMATIC 3001S.

 

1.1 POSITORQUE secures the CO₂ cartridge

A patented torque system called POSITORQUE ensures a tight fit of the CO₂ cartridge inside the inflation device. This system helps the user to always fit the CO₂ cartridge correctly and prevents the cartridge from loosening inadvertently or due to vibrations.

With this POSITORQUE solution, the cartridge cannot come loose during normal operation in the lifejacket’s intended use.

 

1.2. Three red/green indicators

The SECUMATIC 3001S has three indicators that show if the inflation device is operational (Green = OK. Red = Stop).

• Indicator A = The manual release lever is in the secure position and has not been activated.
• Indicator B = The pill (water sensor) is in place and is not damaged.
• Indicator C = The CO₂ cartridge is correctly fitted and screwed in.

 

1.3 Two actions needed

When screwing in the CO₂ cartridge two actions are needed. With the first action the cartridge is screwed in until a resistance appears. Then, with the second action, the cartridge is screwed in against the resistance until the indicator C shows green. Now, the POSITORQUE system keeps the cartridge in place and avoids it from coming loose during the intended use of the lifejacket.

The same two-action-procedure applies when unscrewing the CO₂ cartridge. With the first action the cartridge must be unscrewed against the resistance until the green in indicator C disappears. After that, with the second action, the cartridge can be fully loosened and removed from the inflation device.

 

1.4 Quick check before use

Although the CO₂ cartridge cannot inadvertently unscrew, we recommend that you regularly check the inflation system according to the instruction manual before every use.

Also see the instruction manual, page 8, chapter 3 “Check of inflation device before use (quick check)”.

 

2. SECUMATIC 4001S inflation device

The SECUMATIC 4001S was developed by SECUMAR and was launched to market in the year 1999. This system incorporates all the benefits of the SECUMATIC 3001S, but only has one single red/green indicator that shows the operational status of the inflation device. This was made possible by introducing a bayonet system that is fixed to the CO₂ cartridge.

 

2.1 Bayonet locking mechanism secures the CO₂ cartridge

The SECUMATIC 4001S inflation device is fitted with a bayonet system and a safety slide (button) which locks the cartridge in its intended position in the inflation device. This bayonet system incorporates one single-point red/green indicator. When the cartridge is mounted to the inflation device, the green indicator becomes visible.

With this bayonet locking mechanism, the cartridge cannot come loose during normal operation in the lifejacket’s intended use.

 

2.2 One single-point indicator

The SECUMATIC 4001S inflation device has one single-point indictor that shows, if the inflation device is operational or not (Green = OK). This indicator shows that

1. The manual release lever is in the secure position and has not been activated.
2. The pill (water sensor) is in place and is not damaged.
3. The tensioning lever is folded and the spring that incorprates the force to pierce the CO₂ cartridge is fully loaded.
4. The CO₂ cartridge (bayonet) is correctly fitted and screwed in.
5. The CO₂ cartridge (bayonet) has not been used and is full.

The SECUMATIC 4001S is mainly fitted to lifejackets which have a viewing window in the protective cover. It is thus possible to check the operational status of the inflation device from the outside of the lifejacket without opening the protective cover of the lifejacket. As soon as the CO₂ cartridge is used or empty, the fixed bayonet indicator turns red. Therefore, it is not possible to accidentally fit an empty cartridge into the SCUMATIC 4001S as this will always show a red indicator.

 

2.3 Two actions needed

When fitting a CO₂ cartridge into the SECUMATIC 4001S inflation device two actions are needed. With the first action, the bayonet must be pushed down. With the second action it must be turned clockwise by 90 degrees until the grey safety slide (button) locks the bayonet system with an audible click sound. This locking mechanism keeps the CO₂ cartridge in place and avoids it from coming loose during the use of the lifejacket.

The same two-action-procedure is required to unmount the CO₂ cartridge from the SECUMATIC 4001S inflation device. With the first action the grey safety button needs to be pushed down. With the second action, the cartridge (bayonet) must be turned by 90 degrees to unlock from the inflation device.

 

2.4 Quick check before use

Although the CO₂ cartridge cannot inadvertently unscrew, we recommend that you regularly check the inflation device before every use, according to the instruction manual.

Also see the instruction manual, page 8, chapter 3 “Check of inflation device before use (quick check)”.