Bladder, Flight, DK (Deck)
General Information
Name: Bladder, Flight, DK (Deck).
Country of Origin: The United States.
Date of Manufacture: 1991.
Manufacturer: Switlik Parachute Co, Inc.
NATO Stock Number (NSN): 4220-00-935-5528.
Contract Number: DLA 750-91-C-0412.
Colour: Yellow.
Size: OSFA (One Size Fits All).
Volume Capacity: 15 litres of water displacement.
Weight: 400g ( CO₂ cylinders empty).
Dimensions (cm): 85 (L) × 19.5 (W).
Waterproof: Yes, but depends on the condition of the fabric.
History
The Bladder, Flight, DK (Deck) was fitted inside the Life Preserver, Vest Type MK-1 and provided emergency flotation to personnel operating on U.S. Navy flight decks. When activated after a man-overboard incident, the wearer could inflate the bladder by pulling the inflation lanyard, causing the actuator to fire two CO₂ cylinders and inflate the bladder. An oral inflation tube was also fitted, allowing the wearer to manually inflate or top up the bladder if required.
Description
The Bladder, Flight, DK is fabricated from yellow nylon cloth coated with a polyurethane (PU) laminate on the internal side and assembled using heat-sealed seams, creating a watertight bond without the use of stitching. Constructed in a horseshoe configuration, the bladder features a large rear section that sits across the wearer’s shoulders and two long wings that extend down the front of the torso. The complete bladder measures approximately 85 cm in length, with the rear section measuring approximately 39.5 cm long and the wings tapering to approximately 19.5 cm in width. A padded collar is fitted around the neck opening to reduce pressure and chafing when the bladder is inflated.
Fitted to the right-hand wing is a spring-loaded self-closing oral inflation valve with a rubber-covered mouthpiece. The valve can be locked in the closed position using a knurled locking ring, preventing the accidental loss of air from the bladder. Examination of this example revealed that the oral inflation tube assembly is no longer attached correctly and the bladder will not retain air through the oral inflation opening.
Mounted to the lower right-hand wing is the inflation actuator assembly. The actuator is fitted to a separate panel of bladder material that is subsequently heat sealed into the bladder body. The assembly accepts two threaded CO₂ cylinders and incorporates a pull-operated firing mechanism fitted with a short nylon lanyard and plastic toggle. When activated, the firing mechanism drives two pins into the cylinders, releasing compressed gas and inflating the bladder automatically. Once inflated, the bladder provides approximately 15 kg (29 lb) of buoyancy.
The left-hand wing has an inspection record printed directly onto the bladder showing that the assembly was subject to repeated functional and leak testing throughout its service life.
Examples
Example One
The cylinders presently installed are expended examples that have been fired at some point during the bladder’s service life. The inspection record panel remains blank and the oral inflation tube seal on the bladder no longer forms an airtight seal.
ASMO Number: 5259-840-46104.
