FAQ for TeamO & PFD's
- Can I still wear a non-approved Inflatable PFD in Canada?
From: Transport Canada Click Here for Transport Canada Website "You are required by law to have a lifejacket or PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on board for each person on a watercraft. This includes human-powered craft"
A lifejacket works if you are wearing it, so please wear your lifejackets, PFDs or Inflatable PFDs while on the water.
Regarding use of TeamO inflatable PFDs.
As long as you have Transport Canada approved lifejackets or PFDs for each person on board a vessel you can use and wear ISO12402-3 approved products like TeamO inflatable PFDs and get the benefits of their quality, fit, comfort and BackTow Technology.
We feel that TeamO's inflatable PFDs are the best available worldwide and that's why we wanted to bring them into Canada. The manufacturer created this product to address a number of serious marine accidents in the UK and we believe these TeamO products could help Canadian boating consumers be safer on the water with TeamO Marine Lifejackets using BackTow Technology.
According to the csbc website:
Inflatable PFDs are not to be worn or used by:
- Anyone under 16 years old. - Anyone who weighs less than 36.6 kg or 80lbs. - Use on a personal watercraft. - White water paddling activities.
- Certifications and Approvals?
TeamO inflatable PFDs are approved in the following international standards:
ISO12402-3 approved
Please note: TeamO Inflatable PFDs are a UK made, world class product that has the highly regarded world standard of ISO12402-3. We do not have DOT or USCG approval.
- How long does shipping take?
Orders can range from 2-10 business days to process and ship depending on the shipping option you choose at checkout.
- What Is BackTow™?
Existing inflatable PFDs Tow you face-down if you go overboard whilst tethered to the vessel. BackTow™ technology will tow you face-up in the same situation - the only safety harness that can do this!
Clip on at the front like normal - tether point only rotates to your back when the handle is manually deployed.
The BackTow™ strap doubles as a structural lifting point for easier rescue and fewer injuries during recovery.
View BackTow™ in action here.
Innovative ergonomic design for maximum comfort when worn. Includes Whistle, light, sprayhood, double crotch straps.
- Do you ship to the United States?
Yes we do ship to the USA.
- Which Automatic Inflation System is Right for your 170N inflatable PFDs? (Prosensor vs. Hammar)
UML PROSENSOR FIRING HEAD
(TeamO inflatable PFDs come with the ProSensor Firing Head fitted as standard and are our preferred inflation system for TeamO inflatable PFDs.)
The Pro-sensor firing head works using a water-activated system. A compressed paper capsule is contained within the firing head. When it becomes wet it dissolves and releases a spring which fires the CO2 cylinder and inflates your inflatable PFDs.
The firing head is designed so that water must travel upwards inside the unit to dissolve the paper pellet. It is then also protected by the inflatable PFDs cover. This means that spray and rain will not cause accidental inflation.
There are two colour tabs on the front of the unit to show the activation status. When both the firing head and the CO2 cylinder show as green marks the inflatable PFD is armed and ready for use. If one of the marks shows red this indicates that the inflatable PFD is not armed and needs to be checked. If the top tab shows red check that the CO2 cylinder is unpunctured and is screwed firmly in to the unit. If the bottom tab show red check that the paper pellet cup is screwed firmly on to the bottom of the firing head.
HAMMAR FIRING HEAD
The Hammar inflation system works by using water pressure to release a spring and inflates the PFD. Unlike the Pro-Sensor described above, the Hammar firing head requires immersion in water to activate - the cap needs to be approximately 10cm underwater to achieve enough water pressure to activate the unit.
The Hammar system is intended for use in more extreme sailing conditions and is therefore often favored by sailors doing offshore sailing as it is less likely to inflate accidentally in weather when there is a lot of water and spray washing over the deck.
- Do the Inflatable PFDs come with a Warranty?
All TeamO inflatable PFDs come with a three-year manufacturer's warranty.
If for any reason you are unhappy with your purchase please contact us by email at support@indiemarine.com and we will reply as quickly as possible to help solve the problem.
- How Long Does the Co2 Charge and Light Last?
The co2 firing head has a minimum life of 3-4 years. We recommend annual servicing of your TeamO inflatable PFDs to check to see if the canister has the correct weight. Contact us to find out more about these services.
The light has a 5-year warranty. It can last up to 8 hours of continuous use.
- How Do I Re-Arm my inflatable PFD after it has Gone off?
We carry all of the "Re-Arming" kits for our line of Inflatable PFDs and you can find a video of how to repack your TeamO inflatable PFDs here.