Turn the topping-off valve cap 1 1/2 turns to the right when the assembly hose is attached.

Pump the handle until desired inflation is achieved.

Then turn the valve cap 1 1/2 turns to the left.

Remove the hand pump and secure it in the accessory container.

NOTE: The main flotation tube is divided into two separate sections by an internal bulkhead. This design feature prevents the life raft from completely deflating if for some reason the tube is punctured.

Righting Procedures. - The LRU-12/A life raft may inflate upside down. To correct this problem proceed as follows:

1. Locate the righting line on the side of the raft opposite the CO2 bottle.

2. Toss it over the life raft on the side where the CO2 bottle is located.

3. Grasp the righting line and climb onto the bottom of the raft. Pull the righting line from the far side and at the same time stand up and push the near side of the life raft away with your feet. This will cause the life raft to flip over.

Boarding Procedures. - In most cases, there are four or more survivors in the water. Upon reaching the life raft, grasp the lifeline to keep the raft from drifting away until your turn to board. Use the boarding stirrup and the boarding handles at the stem to board the life raft; survivors should board one at a time.

The first survivor to board the life raft should assist the remaining survivors and ensure the life raft loading is balanced to protect against overturning.

LRU-15/A LIFE RAFT ASSEMBLY. - The LRU-15/A life raft assembly (fig. 5-23) consists of a 20-man life raft and an inflation assembly (CO2 cylinder with an inflation valve). The raft is orange and has two single compartments, circular flotation tubes connected by an equalizer tube, a noninflatable floor suspended between the two flotation tubes, and two boarding ramps. One ramp is attached to each tube on opposite sides of the raft. The floor has an inflatable floor support. The life raft also features a sea anchor, a lifeline, boarding handles, and topping-off valves located on each side of the flotation tubes and floor support. The life raft and accessory container are contained in the LRU-15/A carrying case. The life raft assembly is stowed either in an accessible area inside the fuselage (droppable type) or in a life raft compartment (wing or fuselage installation) of the aircraft.

Inflation Procedures. - The wing-installed LRU-15/A life raft assembly is automatically ejected and inflated from the life raft compartment of the aircraft when the compartment door is released. To inflate the droppable LRU-15/A life raft, you perform the following steps:

Locate the inflation assembly actuating handle outside the end flap of the carrying case.

Pull the actuating handle with sufficient force to actuate the inflation assembly. Ensure that adequate space is provided for the raft to inflate.

NOTE: This is a very large life raft and should never be inflated inside an aircraft.

Righting Procedures. - Because of the large size and cumbersome configuration of the LRU-15/A life raft, it is designed with identical components on each side so that the raft is always right side up.

Boarding Procedures. - Survivors should board the LRU-15/A using the boarding ramps on the lower flotation tube (boarding is possible over the ramp attached to the upper tube but is extremely difficult and therefore not recommended). As you board the life raft, grasp the handles provided and kick with your feet to pull yourself into the life raft. Boarding can be accomplished more easily and quickly if survivors are assisted by those who board first.

The first person in the life raft is responsible for installing the equalizer clamp. The clamp is in a pocket located next to the equalizer tube. The equalizer clamp is necessary to prevent the life raft from completely deflating in the event one side of the life raft has a tear or puncture.

RAFTSMANSHIP. - We assume that with all the advanced rescue equipment and technology available to the Navy, a rescue can be effected in a few hours. However, the possibility exists that you may spend days or even weeks at sea.