Thermal Protective Aid

The Avmar Thermal Protective Aids

General Information

A Thermal Protective Aid is to provide insulation to persons in a liferaft as required by Chapter 3 Solas 1974/96.

Introduction

The Avmar Thermal Protective Aids are designed for use with the emergency equipment contained within a liferaft. There are two designs of the Thermal Protective Aid, namely the 1) The AV-3 – which has a bag configuration with no arms 2) The AV-3a – whcih has two arms incorporated into the design, specifically for those who require arms.

Both Models are designed to be easily packed into liferaft stowage areas. They are also designed to be easy to don by person(s) in a liferaft and offer the necessary thermal protection to the wearer. The Thermal Protective Aid is designed for use only when the wearer is in the liferaft – it must be taken off if the user is required to enter the water.

Details

Construction

The AV-3 and AV-3a, are constructed from a waterproof biaxially constructed polymer. The Thermal Protective Aid’s seams are of a sewn construction. A nylon zip is provided from the lower chest area up to the neck area to allow the wearer to gather the excess frontal fabric in a compact and safe manner.

Operational Use

The AV-3 and AV-3a, are packed in a vacuum sealed clear plastic bag, which contains clear instructions. The user removes the Thermal Protective Aid from the bag, unfolds it and then climbs into the Thermal Protective Aid, ensuring that the product is fully on. At this stage the wearer gathers the spare excess fabric at the front of the Thermal Protective Aid and pulls the zip up towards the chin, ensuring that the excess fabric is safely pulled towards the body. If at any stage the wearer has to leave the liferaft and enter the water, they must first remove the Thermal Protective Aid. The Thermal Protective Aid’s are located within each liferaft, normally contained within the emergency packs.

Marking

There are no markings on the AV-3 / AV-3a. Each Thermal Protective Aid is packed within a vacuum sealed plastic bag, in which is clearly placed an instruction sheet. This instruction sheet contains the following information:-

• The Manufacturer
• Model no / name
• Pictoral donning instructions

Quality Assurance

The manufacturing of the AV-3 / AV-3a is done in accordance with the Avmar Quality manual, which has been compiled in accordance to Avmar Quality Standards.