TM 5-1940-321-13&P
a. Seam Bandaging. Seams should be bandaged when the air leak test (chapter 6, paragraph
6-3) indicates that air is leaking from the buoyancy tubes along one or more of the craft s seams. This
type of leak normally occurs at several points along the seams. Bandaging is the application of a long
narrow fabric patch over the entire seam. A bandage can be applied to a single buoyancy tube seam.
However, if more than one seam is leaking, it is good practice to bandage all seams on the main
buoyancy tubes at the same time. Seams not initially leaking may begin to leak after a short period of
time. Bandaging requires a thorough knowledge of the fabric repair practices identified in Appendix F.
Use the following procedure:
( 1 ) Inflate craft to 180 mbar (2.6 psi).
NOTE:
A tube marking template as shown in figure 7-30 simplifies marking the area to
be bandaged. The holes and end notches of the template are placed directly on
the seam. The thin flexible template bends to conform to the buoyancy tubes.
The bandaged area is then marked on the tubes by tracing along both sides of
the template.
Figure 7-30. Marking Template for Tube Seam Bandages.
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