buoyancy. An LPP life preserver that provides
a buoyancy of 29 pounds is more than sufficient
to keep a 200-pound man afloat for an indefinite
length of time.
OPERATIONAL DIFFICULTIES OF LIFE
PRESERVERS.— With all the equipment worn
by aviators, life preservers must completely inflate
to provide the buoyancy necessary to keep them
afloat.
Partial inflation of the collar lobe on the LPA
and LPU life preservers is a reported problem.
Improper functioning of the hook-and-pile tapes
that hold the collar lobes in the packed condition
causes this problem. If the hook-and-pile tapes
fail to open, simply pull them apart and the
preserver will fully inflate the collar lobe.
BAILOUT PROCEDURES USING THE
#
FOUR-LINE RELEASE AND THE LPA LIFE
PRESERVER.— Each aircraft has its own bailout
procedure. The Naval Air Training and Operating
Procedures Standardization (NATOPS) manual
outlines the emergency procedures for each
aircraft. We will discuss the emergency egress
procedures for the P-3 aircraft.
When the command is given to bail out, the
aircrewmen don their parachutes. We are using
the NB-8 personal parachute to describe the
bailout procedures. Grasp the shoulder straps as
shown in figure 5-3 and place the parachute onto
your back (fig. 5-4). Use the quick-release snap
and the V-ring to attach the chest strap in place
(fig. 5-5).
When you are donning the parachute over the
LPA/LPU life preserver, be sure the harness
Figure 5-4.—Aircrewman slinging parachute onto back.
Figure 5-5.—Aircrewman attaching quick release V-ring.
5-5
