At the Navy training school in Neustadt, Germany (cruiser department).
My husband weighs 260 lbs. (120 kg). Can he paddle the kayak?
There is no problem with regards to the buoyancy. The question is whether or not he fits in the boat. He would have to try one out for size.
Can´t I buy the life jacket for my son a little bit bigger, then he can grow into it ? (instead of Mini- Junior, or Junior- Survival for adults)
We would strongly advise against doing so. This has to do with the circumference of a child's neck. If a child wears an adult's life jacket, the child will slip down inside the buoyancy chamber. The child's head will not be far enough above the surface of the water.
Is one obliged to have one’s life jacket serviced?
If we had our say, yes. If you had the final say, that ought to be the case, too. If we go by legislation, the law is keeping out of it in this case. But if there has been an accident which was due to a life jacket not having been serviced, then the law becomes involved again and makes it clear to the person who has no obligation to take the life jacket for a service that it is his duty to service the life jacket.
What does self-bailing mean?
Self-bailing means that the boat has holes in the floor so any water which comes over the side flows out again due to the speed of the kayak. Only our white water kayak has this characteristic, though.
Can I switch off the automatic inflation device when I am taking part in paddling sports, and switch it back on again when I go sailling?
Yes, you can, as long as your life jacket is fitted with a SECUMATIC 3001 S or 4001 S type of inflation device. We carry a manual override for both of these inflation devices in our range.
Function: If the manual override is inserted, the function of the automatic inflation device is restricted to semi-automatic operation. That means, if the manual override is activated, the lifejacket can only be inflated by pulling the release handle.
Important note: In certain applications it makes scenes to use a manually inflated lifejacket. Sometimes it is even safer than using a fully automatic inflatable lifejacket. But in Europe, lifejackets are classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). All PPE is approved and certified by an external, independent notified body. If a fully automatic lifejacket is modified to manual operation, this may effect the lifejacket approval. Therefore it is essential for your safety to follow the user instructions supplied with the manual override.
Can you take your inflatable lifejacket with you on board an aircraft?
Yes, in principle you may take an inflatable lifejacket with CO₂ cartridges on board an aircraft. International dangerous goods regulations allow this, but the airline must approve it in advance.
In short: passengers may carry up to two self-inflating personal safety devices, such as swimming aids or lifejackets. Each device may be fitted with no more than two CO₂ cartridges. In addition, up to two spare cartridges may be carried per device.
The lifejacket may generally be carried in either:
- checked baggage
- carry-on baggage
However, approval from the airline is required. The lifejacket must also be packed in such a way that it cannot be accidentally activated.
Do your kayaks qualify as life-saving equipment which can be used as a substitute for life rafts?
Under no circumstances whatsoever should kayaks be used as a life-saving device. Life rafts are the final possible option in an emergency situation. Only they should be used for this purpose.