Life Rafts

Naval aircraft are required to carry enough life rafts to meet the needs of the aircrewmen in the event of a crash landing at sea. Some aircraft carry the LR-1, a one-man life raft designed to be carried in a soft pack or a seat survival kit (SKU and RSSK), and the helo backpack.

Figure 5-18.\Aircrewman placing right hand between body and right main sling. 5-12

The Navy maintains four sizes of multiplace life rafts-the LRU-12, 13, 14, and 15. These life rafts are installed in aircraft that have the capability of carrying a large crew or a large number of passengers. To select the proper life raft for an aircraft, refer to the Allowance List, NAVAIR 00-35QH-2. There is also a listing by aircraft in the Inflatable Survival Equipment Manual, NAVAIR 13-1-6.1. The Navy also uses some aircraft that are civilian-contractor maintained,

Figure 5-19.\Aircrewman turning 90 degrees.

such as the C-9, C-12, and C-44. These aircraft carry life rafts that vary in capacity from 7 to 25 persons.

Three basic designs of life rafts used in naval aircraft are shown in figures 5-20, 5-21, and 5-22.

LR-1 LIFE RAFT ASSEMBLY.\ The LR-1 assembly (fig. 5-20) consists of a one-man life raft and an inflation assembly (CO 2 cylinder with inflation valve). The life raft has a single flotation tube with a noninflatable floor. It is 6 feet long when fully deployed. It is blue and features a weather shield, a sea anchor, a sea anchor pocket, and ballast bags with a retaining line and pocket. . The weather shield is sea blue on the

outside and fluorescent red on the inside. It is sewn to coated cloth tape, which is cemented around the periphery of the life raft. When the securing straps (which are manufactured from hook-and-pile tape) are properly positioned, the hooks interweave with the pile to hold the weather shield in a stowed condition. . The sea anchor is attached to one end of

the lanyard and is stowed in a pocket outboard of the flotation tube. The other end of the lanyard is attached to a ring located at the bow end of the raft.

^{Inflation Procedures.}\ There are two inflation systems for the LR-1 life raft. The CO 2, a mechanical system, inflates the raft within 30 seconds and is normally used during parachute descent. If the mechanical system fails, the oral inflation system is used to inflate the raft. The oral inflation system consists of a length of rubber tubing; an oral inflation valve with a ^{rubber mouthpiece;} and a knurled, locking collar. The oral inflation valve may be used in topping or relieving pressure from the flotation tube; this may become necessary because of temperature changes from daytime to nighttime. The raft should not be inflated drum tight, as it will ride more comfortably in choppy seas if the pressure is slackened.

Righting Procedures.\ The LR-1 life raft is equipped with boarding handles to assist the survivor in boarding the life raft. You can easily right the LR-1 life raft by grasping the boarding handles on the flotation tube and turning it over.

Figure 5-20.\LR-1 life raft assembly parts nomenclature.

Boarding Procedures.\ The design of the LR-1 life raft makes it easy to board. Approach the life raft from the small end. One end is noticeably smaller than the other. Grasp the small end of the flotation tube with both hands. Locate the boarding handles and push the life raft down into the water. To board the raft, pull your body into the raft so that the upper body is completely inside. Once you are inside the raft, roll your body so that you are lying face up or in a sitting position. Now deploy the sea anchor. The sea anchor reduces drifting. Adjust the length of the sea anchor securing line so that the sea anchor rests in the wave trough and causes the life raft to ride on the crest of the wave. Always remain attached to the raft; if it capsizes in rough water or during high winds, it will be lost if not securely fastened to you.

LRU-12/A LIFE RAFT ASSEMBLY.\ The LRU-12/A, 13/A, and 14/A are very similar in design. The basic difference is size. The LRU-12/A carries 4 survivors, the LRU-13/A carries 7, and the LRU-14/A carries 12. Of the three, only the LRU-12/A life raft is discussed in this chapter.

Figure 5-21.\LRU-12/A life raft assembly parts nomenclature.

Figure 5-22.\LRU-15/A life raft assembly parts nomenclature.

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 toppingoff valve using the hand pump. A lifeline encircles the flotation tube. A righting line and accessorycontainer 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 underside 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 CO 2 type of inflation system. This system can be installed to operate automatically or manually, depending upon aircraft installation.