Typhoon says HalkeyRoberts have taken an innovative approach to solving the problem by making the water work harder to get to the inflator mechanism.

Instead of giving the water an easy route to the salt bobbin that activates the inflator, they've set it a bit of an obstacle course. So now, not only does the water have to get into the inflator housing, it also has to go uphill and round an 'S' bend before it can get to the salt bobbin and inflate the lifejacket.

The result is an inflator mechanism that has to be properly immersed in water before it goes off, so moisture and condensation should no longer be a problem. If you do end up in the water though, the Racer Pro will inflate within five seconds as required by EU guidelines.

Apart from a more positive actuating system, the inflator has other features, such as a single point indicator. If the indicator is green, the lifejacket's ready to go. If anything's wrong - perhaps the gas canister has been discharged or the unit is due for a service - the indicator shows red.

Typhoon put a window into the lifejacket cover so the indicator is permanently on show.

The inflator also uses the Halkey-Roberts Super Bobbin.

It has alignment grooves so it can only be fitted to the inflator in the optimum direction.

The serrated surface of the bobbin is also important as it increases the surface area exposed to the water. The bigger the surface area water can get to, the faster the salt bobbin dissolves resulting in improved reaction times and reliability.

Its high-visibility yellow case also makes servicing easier - and servicing is now recommended only every three years for recreational lifejackets and every two years for commercial.

The inflator complies with CE requirements and the most stringent United Laboratories requirements - the official approval laboratories for the United States Coastguard.

The 150 Newton lifejacket comes with a red cover and there are two models available - the Racer Pro 150 automatic with harness, which has an RRP of £89.95 and the Racer Pro 150 automatic without harness with an RRP of £84.95.

Typhoon International T: 01642 486104. F: 01642 487204 E: sales@typhoon-int.co.uk W: typhoon-int.co.uk