Automatic Inflatable Work Vest

Download Mustang Survival MD3188 User Manual

The MD3188 User Manual is a pdf file. If you are unable to open it you will need to download the latest FREE version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Download Mustang Survival MD3188 Specification Sheet

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Download Mustang Survival MD3188 Re-Arm Procedure

The MD3188 Re-Arm Procedure is a pdf file. If you are unable to open it you will need to download the latest FREE version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Formula to Determine Buoyancy

If a man weighs 200 pounds on land, he only weighs 10 pounds in the water.

80% of the human body is water. Water in the body has no weight in the water.

200 pounds x 80% = 160 pounds
200 pounds – 160 pounds = 40 pounds

The human body is 15% fat, fat is lighter than water.

200 pounds x 15% = 30 pounds
40 pounds – 30 pounds = 10 pounds

A 200 pound person only weighs 10 pounds in the water.

A U.S.C.G. approved Type V vest is mandated to have 17.5 pounds of buoyancy.

If a man weighs 350 pounds on land, he only weighs:

80% of the human body is water. Water in the body has no weight in the water.

350 x 80% = 280 pounds
350 pounds – 280 pounds = 70 pounds

The human body is 15% fat, fat is lighter than water.

350 pounds x 15% = 52.5 pounds
70 pounds – 52.5 pounds = 17.5 pounds

A 350 pound person weighs 17.5 pounds in the water.

Type V PFD

In regards to using Work Vests or any other Life Jacket, the saying goes “It can only save your life if you’re wearing it.” Less obvious is what to expect upon entering the water once you take an unexpected fall. Depending on the height from which you fall, position of your body when entering the water, along with any currents present you may be kep under longer than you think. Type V Vests are required by United States Coast Guard to have a minimum buoyant force of 17 ½ pounds. This is adequate buoyancy to keep your head, neck and the top of your shoulders above the water. You will rise to the surface more quickly with more body fat and air pockets in your clothing. A lean and muscular person will rise more slowly to the surface.

A person of 200 lbs weighs 10 lbs in the water, 80% of a person’s weight is water which has no weight in the water, and about 15% is fat, which is lighter than water, consequently, the real weight of the person in water is about 10 pounds.

Having your Vest fit snugly is key to survival. Loose fitting or unbuckled Vests can slip over your head when falling feet first, allowing you to sink much further down. Hold on to your Vest as you enter the water just in case. Nothing is more important at that moment than getting your mouth above the top of the waves. Once in the water pull your Vest down to make sure all of the buoyancy is under the water. This will get your mouth and nose as high as possible. Most Vests have a strap that goes under your arms to keep your vest from riding up. If it is missing then replacement is recommended. Vests wear out over time and will lose some of their buoyancy. Here’s a quick way to check for the minimum buoyancy of 17 ½ pounds. Attach 20 pounds of steel weight to the Vest. Dumb bell weights work just fine. Twenty pounds of steel weight weighs approximately 17 ½ pounds in the water. If your Vest floats above or just below the surface, it still meets the minimum required buoyancy. If it sinks it should be replaced. The foam in your Vest will lose its buoyancy if it is compressed under weight or crammed in storage. It’s best to hang them or set them on a shelf when not in use.

Humans are land dwellers and need a little help in the water.

Mustang Survival Warranty and Repair Information

**Products not eligible for returns include: Re-Arm Kits, Custom Orders, Non Current and Non Stock Products, Discontinued Products and Inflatable PFD's purchased 6 months ago or longer.

The Mustang Survival Warranty and Repair information sheet is a pdf file. If you are unable to open it you will need to download the latest FREE version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.