It is important to note

1. The protective sleeve should never be opened or removed unless you are positive that the air tube is leaking and needs repair.
2. The air tube is oversized, allowing enough material to be carefully tucked back on itself at each end in order to protect the end welds.
3. That these instructions are not relevant in the rare event of a catastrophic failure of an airtube (bursting).
4. These are temporary repairs only and your local Outwell retailer should be contacted in order to organise a replacement tube. 

Five Rules for 'In Field' Repairs

• Do not inflate an air tube, repaired or otherwise, until it is in situ and protected by its sleeve – and never undo the protective sleeve when an air tube is inflated.

• Once the repaired air tube is in its sleeve slowly inflate to the lower end of the operating pressure range by cracking open the isolating ball valve.

• Regularly check air pressure to ensure minimal stress to the repair.

• The use of self-amalgamating tape is critical on repairs to the connecting tube due to the pressure and stress experienced at this point.

• Remember this is a temporary repair. Contact your supplying retailer as soon as possible to arrange a replacement tube.

1. If an air tube appears to have lost its pressure first consider:

• Ambient temperature – if it is cold then the air pressure will diminish and an air tube will appear deflated.

ACTION: Leave – the pressure will increase as the day warms.

• Air loss from the inlet valve – sometimes dirt stops the inlet valve closing properly, leading to air loss.

ACTION: Check for air escaping and, if so, strip down and clean.

2.Try to locate the damage. Pump in more air, close inside valves if present, and look for visible damage. Try to hear air escaping or feel it against your cheek. For small punctures it might be helpful to apply a little water on the spot you suspect as small bubbles will show up.

ACTION: Mark the damaged spot.

3. Completely deflate the damaged air tube. Then open the sleeve zip until you reach the location of the leak.

ACTION: Repair as above.

1. Regularly check the air pressure. Standard operating pressure lies within 0.3 - 0.5 bar. However, warmer conditions, like those Continental temperatures experienced in summer, may require a lower pressure around 0.4 bar. ACTION: Pressure will change throughout the day and you may find you need to add air at night to compensate for falling temperatures and let air out in the morning to prevent over expansion as the pressure increases with the heat of the day.

2. If the protective sleeve swells or bulges DO NOT open the zip to check.
ACTION: Immediately reduce the air pressure.

3. In the unlikely event that the seams or zip on a protective sleeve fail then deflate the tube immediately and temporarily repair the damage using a strip of Gorilla or heavy duty Duct/Duck tape that has minimum stretch to provide tube support under pressure. Re-inflate the tube to a lower pressure to prevent stress on the repair.

4. Do not open the sleeve unless for repair – this will minimise the chance entry of abrasive/sharp contaminants.