The LRU-12/A life raft assembly (fig. 5-21) consists of a four-man inflatable life raft and an inflation assembly (a CO2 cylinder with an inflation valve and a manifold). The life raft has an orange flotation tube that is divided into two separate compartments by two internal vertical bulkheads. These two compartments are called the bow and the stern. The raft has a noninflatable floor with an inflatable seat in the bow section. This seat is manually inflated through the topping- off valve using the hand pump. A lifeline encircles the flotation tube. A righting line and accessory- container securing line are attached to the lifeline. Survival equipment is stowed in the accessory container and a supply pocket attached to the flotation tube. A sea anchor is attached to the bow, a boarding stirrup is attached to the stern, and heaving lines equipped with rubber weights are attached at each end. Two topping-off valves and four boarding handles are located on the tube. Three righting handles are located on the under- side of the life raft floor. Two boarding handles are located on the topside of the floor, one amidships in the center, the other athwartships towards the stern. The life raft CO2 inflation assembly and accessory container are contained in the LRU-12/A carrying case. When the life raft is fully inflated, it measures 9 1/4 feet long.
Inflation Procedures. - Like other flotation equipment, the LRU-12/A has a CO2 type of inflation system. This system can be installed to operate automatically or manually, depending upon aircraft installation.
The LRU-12/A is also equipped with a hand pump for manually inflating the two-section flotation tube and/or the inflatable seat and is stowed in the accessory container. The pump- attaching fitting and the topping-off valve are designed to allow a positive connection. To use the hand pump, follow the steps listed below:
NOTE: In the absence of a CO2 type of inflation system, manual inflation starts with the seat section. It fills quickly and provides flotation for the raft while the main flotation tubes are being inflated.
Screw the inflation end of the assembly hose of the hand pump into the topping-off valve (fig. 5-23).
Figure 5-23. - Survivor holding the hand pump while attaching the assembly hose to the topping-off valve.
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