LPU-30/P LIFE PRESERVER ASSEMBLY

The LPU-30/P life preserver assembly is a vest-type preserver (cardigan style, sleeveless) that weighs approximately 3 pounds (without survival items) and provides a minimum of 29 pounds of buoyancy. The preserver consists of a singlecompartment flotation assembly, a fully lined

Figure 6-14.-LPP-l/A life preserver assembly.

protective cover with nondirectional front closure snaps, side buckle adjustments, and inflation assembly. Survival items are also provided. To make up the LPU-30/P life preserver assembly, all required components and survival items must be individually requisitioned (fig. 6-15).

The flotation assembly is constructed of polyurethane-coated nylon cloth and is available in one size. It is equipped with an oral inflation valve and tube, a pressure relief valve to prevent over inflation, a brass manifold for attachment of the inflator, a l-inch piece of hook tape secured to the left front portion of the bladder, and an antichafing pad sewn to the inside neck area on the bladder.

The protective cover is fabricated of white cotton balloon cloth (MIL-C-332) and is available in medium (chest up to 48 inches, & 1/2 inch) and large (chest up to 53 inches, 1/2 inch). The cover has nondirectional front closure snaps and side buckle waist adjustments and is fully lined. There is also a strip of reflective tape sewn across each shoulder and a strobe light pouch, which must be sewn to the upper breast portion of the protective cover, and a sea dye marker pouch, which must be sewn to the lower left portion of the protective cover.

The inflation assembly consists of two Type II (MIL-C-601), 12-gram CO2 cylinders and a Type III (MIL-I-23145) inflation valve. The inflation assembly is connected to the valve stem located on the right front of the flotation assembly. The valve stem is equipped with a check valve to prevent leakage.

The LPU-30/P is manually inflated by pulling the inflation assembly lanyard down. In an emergency situation, the oral inflation valve is used to top off an inflated preserver, maintain inflation of a leaky preserver, or inflate a preserver when the inflation assembly malfunctions or fails. The oral inflation valve is also used to inflate a preserver with air during an inspection test and to deflate a preserver in preparation for issue.

The LPU-30/P life preserver is used by passengers in all helicopters and in the C-1, C-2, and US-3A type aircraft. The LPU-30/P must not be confused with the MK-1 flight deck life preserver. Information on the MK-1 preserver can be obtained by contacting Naval Sea Support Center Pacific, P.O. Box 85548, San Diego, CA 92138-5548, ATTN: Code 914. Request MIP H-402/2-47.

LIFE PRESERVER INSPECTIONS

All life preservers need to have preflight, special, and calendar/phase inspections.

The preflight inspection is performed before each flight by the aircrewman to whom the life preserver is assigned. A preflight inspection is also performed by assigned aircrewmen on life preservers installed in aircraft.

The special inspection is done on all aircraftinstalled life preservers at intervals not to exceed 30 days. The inspection is performed at the organizational level of maintenance by personnel assigned to the aviator's equipment branch.

When the special inspection is completed and the life preserver is found satisfactory, the inspection date and inspector's signature are written in the inspection section of the Aviation Crew Systems History Card. The 30-day special inspection may be recorded on a separate history card from the history card recording calendar/phase inspections, functional checks, and modifications.

NOTE: The calendar inspection interval for LPA type and LPU-21/P series preservers assigned to VP squadron selected air reserve aircrewmen has been extended to 180 days from 90 days, providing the preservers are stowed under controlled conditions.

The calendar/phase inspection must be performed on all life preservers prior to placing them in service. After that, the inspection cycle is as follows: personal issue life preservers are inspected once every 90 days. Aircraft-installed life preserver inspection should coincide with the inspection cycle of the aircraft in which installed. In no case should the interval exceed 231 days. Unless operational requirements demand otherwise, the life preserver calendar/phase inspection is performed by the intermediate level of maintenance or above. As part of inspecting the preserver, the functional test is performed prior to placing it in service, every fourth inspection cycle thereafter, and whenever an inflation assembly is replaced. Also, the leakage test is performed during every inspection cycle. A battery visual inspection for the LPU-23/P series and LPU-24/P series will be performed prior to placing life preservers in service, and every fourth inspection cycle thereafter.

Figure 6-15.-LPU-3O/P life preserver assembly, parts nomenclature.