MILITARY 18295 Scout Swimmer Vest User Manual

: June 17, 2024
: Military

Table of Contents

MILITARY 18295 Scout Swimmer Vest
Product Information
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
General Precautions and Warnings
Product Description
Vest Component Identification
Donning and Adjustment Procedures
Pre-Use Inspection
Folding the Vest
Post-Use Care and Maintenance
Inspection and Service
Technical Specifications
References
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MILITARY 18295 Scout Swimmer Vest

MILITARY-18295-Scout-Swimmer-Vest-product

Product Information

Specifications:

Model: Para Swimmer Vest and Scout Swimmer Vest
Colour Options: Hi-Viz, Black
CO2 Cartridges: 38 grams each with beaded pull handles
Intended Use: Parachute or tactical swimming operations

Product Description:
Our Para and Scout Swimmer vests are designed for use in parachute or tactical swimming operations. Each vest comes with two 38-gram CO2 cartridges with beaded pull handles for emergency flotation on the surface. The Para Swimmer Vest can be streamlined by folding the side flaps inward.

Vest Component Identification:

Over Pressure Relief Valve (OPRV)
Beaded Handle OPRV
Oral Inflation Tube Front Pocket
H Harness CO2 Cartridges
Beaded Handles CO2 Cartridge

Donning and Adjustment Procedures:

Place the vest over your head. Route both straps underneath your arms, through the D-rings, and tighten the straps. Run the excess strap through elastic bands.
Fully inflate the vest by loosening the knurled nut on the oral inflation tube and depressing the oral inflator valve. Exhale into the valve until the vest is full. If the fit is too tight, adjust the straps for comfort.

FAQ:

Q: Can I use the vest for SCUBA diving?
A: No, the vest is not approved for SCUBA diving.
Q: Is the vest a life jacket or rescue device?
A: No, the vest is not designed to provide face-up flotation in all situations and does not meet regulations for a life preserver or personal flotation device (PFD).
Q: How often should I service the vest?
A: Manufacturer-prescribed service on the vest should be performed by a manufacturer-trained service technician once a year under normal prescribed use, or more frequently if operating in harsh environments.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

This user’s manual is copyrighted, all rights reserved. It may not, in whole or in part, be copied, photocopied, reproduced, translated or reduced to any electronic medium or machine-readable form without prior consent in writing from Aqualung.

Para & Scout Swimmer Vest User’s Manual PN 18295
Para Swimmer Vest Hi-Viz BC1740701UV
Para Swimmer Vest Black 769041
Scout Swimmer Vest Hi-Viz BC1750701UV
Scout Swimmer Vest Black 769031

Please read the instructions in this manual carefully before using this product.
If you have questions regarding the use of this product, please contact Aqualung Military Professional via our website at www.milproaqualung.com.

Warnings, Cautions and Notes
Pay special attention to information provided in Warnings, Cautions and Notes that are accompanied by one of these symbols.

WARNING indicates a procedure or situation that, if not avoided, could result in serious injury or death to the user.
CAUTION indicates any situation or technique that could cause damage to the product and could subsequently result in injury to the user.
NOTE is used to emphasize important points, tips and reminders.
Manufacturer
Aqua Lung America 2105 Rutherford Road, Carlsbad, CA 92008 (USA)
EU Importer
Aqua Lung Trading (Aqua Lung Logistics), 1ère avenue 14ème rue BP 148 06513 Carros Cedex (France)
UK Importer
Aqualung UK Distribution, Neptune Way, Blackburn, Lancashire, England. BB1 2BT

MADE IN MEXICO

General Precautions and Warnings

WARNING: Do not inhale from the oral inflator. The vest may contain harmful contaminants or gases, which could cause suffocation or injury.
WARNING: This vest is not approved for use in SCUBA diving.
WARNING: A vest is NOT a life jacket or rescue device! It is not designed to provide face-up flotation in all situations; therefore it does not meet regulations for a life preserver or personal flotation device (PFD). If you become unconscious in the water without a buddy present to immediately assist you, you may suffer serious injury or death from drowning.
WARNING: Manufacturer-prescribed service on the vest must be performed by a manufacturer-trained service technician according to the procedures outlined in our technical manual once a year under normal prescribed use OR more frequently if operating in an environment where harsh/heavy/in water or training use may exist.

Product Description

Our Para and Scout Swimmer vests are speciﬁcally designed for use in parachute or tactical swimming operations. Each vest is equipped with two 38-gram CO2 cartridges with beaded pull handles for emergency ﬂotation on the surface. The Para Swimmer Vest can be streamlined when worn by folding the side ﬂaps inward.

Vest Component Identification

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Donning and Adjustment Procedures

Place the vest over your head. Route both straps underneath your arms, through the D-rings and then tighten the straps. (Fig. 1). Run the excess strap through elastic bands.
Fully inﬂate the vest by loosening the knurl nut on the oral inﬂation tube and depressing the oral inﬂator valve. Exhale into the valve until the vest is full (Fig. 2). If the ﬁt is too tight, adjust the straps for comfort. $MILITARY-18295-Scout-Swimmer-Vest-fig- $2$$

Pre-Use Inspection

WARNING:
Before use, inspect the entire vest for leakage or other damage. If any part of the vest does not function properly, or it is damaged, return the vest to maintenance personnel for inspection.

Ensure that all stitched-together components are not separating.
Check that the oral inﬂation tube and valve properly function by depressing the valve and blowing into the tube. Ensure the knurled nut on the oral inﬂation tube turns freely.
Remove the CO2 cartridges and inspect both actuators. Pull the green locking clip off each actuator. Pull the beaded handle on each side of the vest to ensure it releases properly. Operate each actuating lever to check the piercing pin travels up and down. Return the actuating lever to the firing position, reinstall the green locking clips and secure the beaded handles into the proper position. Re-thread the CO2 cartridges into the actuator.
Perform a function check on the over-pressure relief valve (OPRV) by fully inflating the vest and then squeezing the vest to ensure the OPRV opens allowing air to escape. Next, pull the beaded handle below the neck opening to ensure the dump valve is correctly working by allowing air to escape (Fig. 3).
Fully inﬂate the vest and set it aside for 10 minutes. Check the ﬁrmness of the vest after the time has elapsed. If leakage is detected, return the vest to maintenance personnel for inspection.

WARNING:
Ensure the actuator is free of debris and the CO2 cartridge washer is in place before re-installing the CO2 cartridge.

Folding the Vest

Prior to each use, the vest should be placed in its proper configuration.

NOTE:
Only the Para Swimmer Vest can be folded for streamlining.

Ensure the vest is clean and dry. Lay it flat (front side up) and deflate the vest.
Fold the lower edge of the vest up until the bottom edge of the flap is visible underneath. (Fig. 4).
Fold each side in and overlap them until the CO2 cartridges are visible on each side. (Fig. 5).
Secure the vest by laying the left flap over the right flap and fastening the hook and loop closure together tightly (Fig. 6).

Post-Use Care and Maintenance

Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and extreme heat. Nylon fabric can quickly fade when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays and extreme heat may damage the welded bladder seams.
Avoid repeated or prolonged use in heavily chlorinated water, which can cause the vest fabric to discolour and decay prematurely.
Do not allow the vest to chafe against any sharp objects or rough surfaces that could abrade or puncture the bladder. Do not set or drop heavy objects such as block weights on the vest.
Avoid any contact with oil, gasoline, aerosols or chemical solvents as this may damage the vest.
To preserve the life of the vest, rinse it inside and out with fresh water after every day of use, using the following procedure:
- Unscrew the OPRV, then direct water through the port using a garden hose to flush the interior of the vest. Rethread the OPRV onto the vest and then thoroughly rinse the exterior.
- Swish the water around to remove any mineral deposits, then invert the vest so the OPRV is the lowest point. Drain the water by pulling the beaded handle and cord assembly. Repeat the vest cleaning procedure as needed.
- After rinsing, inflate the vest and allow it to dry inside and out.
- Fully inflate the vest and set it aside for 10 minutes. Check the firmness of the vest after the time has elapsed. If leakage is detected, return the vest to maintenance personnel for inspection.

Storage
Store the vest partially inflated, away from direct sunlight and in a clean, dry area. Do not store the vest in an enclosed space, such as a car trunk, where temperatures may fall below -18ºC/0ºF or rise above 49ºC/120ºF.

Transport
Do not allow the vest to chafe against any sharp objects or rough surfaces that could abrade or puncture the bladder. Do not set or drop heavy objects such as block weights on the vest. The vest should be exposed to temperatures no lower than -20°C/-4°F and no higher than 65°C/150°F.

Inspection and Service

It cannot be assumed that the vest is in good working order on the basis that it has received little use since it was last serviced. Remember that prolonged or improper storage can still result in internal corrosion and/or deterioration of o-ring seals and other parts.
Manufacturer-prescribed service on the vest must be performed by a manufacturer-trained service technician according to the procedures outlined in our Technical Manual once a year under normal prescribed use OR more frequently if operating in an environment where harsh/heavy/in water or training exists. Manufacturer-prescribed service consists of:
- Complete overhaul of the CO2 detonator. Reference List PN 18065 for CO2 detonator service instructions.
- Inflation test: Fully inflate the vest and set it aside for 10 minutes. If a puncture is detected, utilize a BC patch kit to repair the hole. Reference List PN 18301 provided with the repair kit.
DO NOT attempt to perform any disassembly or service to the vest. Doing so may cause the vest to dangerously malfunction. All service must be performed by a manufacturer-trained service technician.