It is possible to add air to the air chambers of a slide-raft to maintain buoyancy.

It is possible to add air to the air chambers of a slide-raft to maintain buoyancy.

• A. Sometimes
• B. No
• C. Yes
• D. Only by maintenance crew

Answer: (B)

Buoyancy in a slide-raft comes from air-filled chambers that provide a fixed volume to displace water. These chambers are inflated during deployment and then remain sealed; there isn’t a field method or valve designed for crew to top up the air to adjust buoyancy. Because the buoyant volume is fixed by the chamber design, adding air in operation isn’t part of approved procedures and isn’t relied upon to maintain buoyancy. If buoyancy were lost, the proper course is to service or replace the raft rather than attempting to top up the air. That’s why the statement is not true.

Buoyancy in a slide-raft comes from air-filled chambers that provide a fixed volume to displace water. These chambers are inflated during deployment and then remain sealed; there isn’t a field method or valve designed for crew to top up the air to adjust buoyancy. Because the buoyant volume is fixed by the chamber design, adding air in operation isn’t part of approved procedures and isn’t relied upon to maintain buoyancy. If buoyancy were lost, the proper course is to service or replace the raft rather than attempting to top up the air. That’s why the statement is not true.