between the circular tubes; and a boarding ramp permanently attached to each circular tube. The floor is equipped with a built-in inflatable floor support, and the inflatable boarding ramps are located on opposite sides of the raft. A sea anchor, used to retard drifting, is stowed in the sea anchor pocket, which is located at the junction of the circular tubes. An inner lifeline, boarding handles, a heaving line, and emergency survival equipment, stowed in the accessory container, are provided for the safety and survival of the aircrewmen. The inner lifeline, attached to the floor, and the boarding handles, attached to the circular tubes and boarding ramps, are used to secure the accessory container to the raft. Topping-off valves are located on each side of the tubes. A topping-off valve is also located on each side of the floor support. The LRU-15/A life raft assembly parts and nomenclature are shown in figure 6-7. EQUIPMENT AND SURVIVAL ITEMS The LRU-15/A life raft equipment and survival item requirements and the applicable storage container are listed in table 6-5. The LRU-15/A life raft assembly (droppable) is inflated by pulling the inflation assembly handle, located under the carrying case end flap. The LRU-15/A life raft assembly (wing installation) is automatically inflated and ejected from the raft compartment after the life raft compartment door has been released. A unique design feature of the LRU-15/A is that it is always right side up after inflation. The inflation assembly inflates the circular tubes and boarding ramps only. In the event that the inflation assembly does not function properly, the equalizer tube distributes gas equally between each circular tube. After boarding, the floor sup- port is inflated with the hand pump provided in the accessory container. The circular tubes may be topped off, if necessary, from either side of the raft floor. The LRU-15/A life raft assembly can be either dropped to survivors or used by aircrewmen in the event of an emergency. Each type of packaged LRU-15/A life raft assembly is used in certain types of aircraft; for applicable configurations, refer to the aircraft MIM. Prior to packing the LRU-15/A life raft assembly, it must be updated by comparing the configuration of the assembly with the modifications listed in NAVAIR 13-1-6.1. EMERGENCY REPAIRS Emergency repair of the LRU-15/A raft, when in the water, is accomplished by the use of the metal clamp type plugs provided in the accessory equipment container of each raft. No emergency repair equipment is provided with other types of rafts. DEMONSTRATING THE USE OF RAFTS Many ditching and water crashes occur in a rough sea or at night. Only complete familiarization with the use of survival equipment will give the aircrewman a chance of survival under such adverse conditions. Therefore, intensive drill in the use of rafts and their associated equipment is essential for safety. The survival officer must be concerned with survival techniques and should see that a survival training program is set up in the parachute loft. In most cases, the chief in charge of the loft has the responsibility of setting up this training. As a PR2 you will have many occasions to participate in this training and, in many instances, may be completely responsible for the carrying out of the program. Regardless of who is in charge and must shoulder the complete responsibility, it is the duty of every PR to be completely familiar with all phases of survival training and to be able to demonstrate the use of survival equipment. The multiplace egress trainer is a very effective system of training in water survival techniques. It is used to simulate an actual aircraft ditching, and to teach the best escape procedure with full equipment. Although such complete courses of training cannot be conducted in certain localities because of the lack of specialized equipment, the PR should make every attempt to give aircrewmen frequent practice in the actual use of the equipment.    Discussions, demonstrations, and shop lectures are all helpful, but working with the actual raft equipment is the only way to acquire the knowledge essential to survival. In demonstrating the raft’s use, the most important thing to stress is that the retainer lanyard snap is firmly attached to the ring on the life vest before inflating the raft. Inflate the raft as soon as possible so that personnel can get out of the water. The raft is inflated by pulling on the short length cable attached to the C0₂ cylinder valve. After several hours, the CO₂ cylinder may be removed from the side of the raft. It tends to 6-16