The inflatable PFD uses CO2 as the inflating agent. Which statement is true?

The inflatable PFD uses CO2 as the inflating agent. Which statement is true?

• A. CO2 inflates the bladder
• B. Air inflates the bladder
• C. Water inflates the bladder
• D. Gas from the environment inflates the bladder

Answer: (A)

Inflatable PFDs fill the bladder with gas from a pressurized cartridge, allowing rapid, controlled inflation when activated. The gas in these devices is CO2, stored in a small cartridge and released into the bladder through a valve when the device is triggered. This is why CO2 inflates the bladder. The cartridge provides a compact, high-pressure source of gas that expands quickly to fill the bladder, delivering buoyancy fast and reliably. Air, water, or gas from the environment wouldn’t provide the same controlled, rapid fill and could add unwanted weight or fail to inflate properly, so they aren’t used in this type of vest.

Inflatable PFDs fill the bladder with gas from a pressurized cartridge, allowing rapid, controlled inflation when activated. The gas in these devices is CO2, stored in a small cartridge and released into the bladder through a valve when the device is triggered.

This is why CO2 inflates the bladder. The cartridge provides a compact, high-pressure source of gas that expands quickly to fill the bladder, delivering buoyancy fast and reliably. Air, water, or gas from the environment wouldn’t provide the same controlled, rapid fill and could add unwanted weight or fail to inflate properly, so they aren’t used in this type of vest.