combination carrying case and equipment con- tainer or in the equipment container, as ap- plicable. The remaining space in the container may be used for any specialized equipment for specific environmental or geographic conditions, as directed by the area commander. You should refer to NAVAIR 13-1-6.1 for information concerning which type of packaged LR-1 life raft assembly is used aboard certain types of aircraft. Inspection During the life raft inspection phase and prior to starting any packing procedures, the life raft must be updated and modifications incorporated if required. Compare the life raft assembly configuration with the applicable raft modi- fications listed in NAVAIR 13-1-6.1. All life raft assemblies get a calendar in- spection upon issue and at intervals that coincide with the aircraft inspection cycle. However, the interval between calendar inspections must not exceed 231 days. The procedure for inspecting and testing the life raft is generally the same as those given earlier in this chapter for the multiplace life raft. Additionally, you should read NAVAIR 13-1-6.1. Where there are considerable differences in raft construction, certain steps may be eliminated or added as necessary. For example, life rafts are not constructed with internal bulkheads. Since there is only one continuous flotation tube, the in- ternal bulkhead test is not necessary on the life raft. The life raft is fitted with an oral inflation tube, but it serves the same purpose as the multiplace raft topping-off valves. Therefore, the same general considerations given the topping-off valve should be applied to the oral inflation tube. For instance, although the exposed end of the oral inflation tube has no rough edges, it is kept in a supporting pocket. LIFE PRESERVERS Life preservers are worn by aircrew members on overwater flights. Their function is to keep them afloat until a raft can be reached or until a rescue team arrives. Proper inspection, mainte- nance, and handling of life preservers are necessary to prevent any possible malfunction that could result in the loss of life. LPU-21/P SERIES LIFE PRESERVER ASSEMBLY The LPU-21/P series life preserver assembly is authorized for use by all aircrew personnel wearing compatible flight clothing. It is designed as a constant wear item for use with the survival vest and will not interfere with the removal of the nonintegrated parachute harness. Survival item pouches are attached to the life preserver casing. The dye marker and signal flares that go into these pouches are not initially supplied and must be individually requisitioned. Modifica- tions to the LPU-21/P life preserver have re- sulted in a new letter designation being assigned to the preserver. For the sake of clarity, the term LPU-21/P series is used where appropriate. WARNING THE LPU-21/P SERIES LIFE PRE- SERVER ASSEMBLIES ARE NOT USED IN EJECTION SEAT AIR- CRAFT. NOTE: The LPU-21B/P and LPU-21C/P life pre- server assemblies must NOT be configured with the FLU-8A/P automatic in- flation device. The LPU-21/P and LPU-21A/P life preserver assemblies use pull toggles for activation. After the incorporation of Aircrew System Change 405, which directs installation of beaded inflation handles, the LPU-21/P and LPU-21A/P were updated to become the LPU-21B/P. The beaded inflation handles improve toggle accessibility and provide the inflation system with a multi- directional pull capability. The LPU-21/P series life preserver assembly weighs 4 pounds (without survival items) and provides a minimum of 65 pounds of buoyancy. The flotation assembly is constructed of polychloroprene-coated nylon cloth and consists of two independent flotation chambers. One chamber consists of the left waist lobe joined by a tube to the right collar lobe. This chamber is serviced by the carbon dioxide inflation assembly and oral inflation valve attached to the left waist lobe. The other chamber consists of the right waist lobe joined by a tube to the left collar lobe. This chamber is serviced by the carbon dioxide inflation assembly and oral inflation valve attached to the right waist lobe. The two chambers are sewn together at the collar lobes (fig. 6-12). 6-22