Just a thought...before the season starts and while your swimming around in your pools with your helmets and suits on, why don't you put on your PFD and pull the cord and activate the CO2 cartridge and let the thing inflate and then try blowing it up manually should the CO2 fail. It is quite an experience if you have never done this. You can get replacement cylinders at West Marine and send it back to Switlick or whomever, they need to be serviced anyway.
I've talked to a few racers that have never had the experience of having those things inflate. Better to know what is going to happen before you are upside down.

Just looking out for your safety, my gear works...

Be safe,


-sammy

I always try to look my best for the public , drivers meeting's all events before and after a race. During the race in an open cockpit boat is another story . Anything can happen out there and does . I'v milled for more then a hour waiting for anything from sea turtles, to helo's refueling. I.v broken down with a 3hr tow to pits. Barrel rolled and broke the boat in half.Smashed my body with blood everyware, I,v never gone in the drink but I would not want to tread water JUST FLOAT If I ever did . All the races I'v been in my looking good never won the race for me. I may not be as tough as the europeans but oh well!