I cant figure out how to blow up the raft portion of this thing! Trying to blow air into the valves is incredibly difficult! Am I missing something??
1603967
Like all the other answers said, Pinch the valve! I spent probably an hour trying to figure it out as the directions were not clear on this! Once you get the hang of squeezing the valve and blowing it goes faster. My daughter used this float when we went to Florida when she was 6 months old. It was so nice to be able to put her in the pool and not have to hold on to her the whole time.
1603968
If I recall, squeeze the base of the air valves and try blowing. It takes a bit of effort to squeeze the valves and blow at the same time,if I can remember correctly. Let me know if it works :-)
1603969
I don't think you're missing anything, it is a little hard to blow up. I found that if you squeeze the portion in that you're blowing into, the air goes in a lot faster. I hope that helps!
1603970
Unfortunately no, it is very stubborn. If you don't have a small air nozzle handy to blow it in, I found that I keep butting on the valve and blowing until I find the sweet spot. Once I know I'm getting a good amount in then I clamp onto it with my teeth (not my lips) and blow until it is full. I believe I usually end up biting on the fabric portion since the valve is pretty deep. If you do this it usually only takes a couple breaths and is way easier than trying to pinch the valve with your fingers, especially because once it starts to get full it gets very difficult to hold your pinch, but the teeth won't let it escape. Unfortunately no, it is very stubborn. If you don't have a small air nozzle handy to blow it in, I found that I keep butting on the valve and blowing until I find the sweet spot. Once I know I'm getting a good amount in then I clamp onto it with my teeth (not my lips) and blow until it is full. I believe I usually end up biting on the fabric portion since the valve is pretty deep. If you do this it usually only takes a couple breaths and is way easier than trying to pinch the valve with your fingers, especially because once it starts to get full it gets very difficult to hold your pinch,... » Read More Unfortunately no, it is very stubborn. If you don't have a small air nozzle handy to blow it in, I found that I keep butting on the valve and blowing until I find the sweet spot. Once I know I'm getting a good amount in then I clamp onto it with my teeth (not my lips) and blow until it is full. I believe I usually end up biting on the fabric portion since the valve is pretty deep. If you do this it usually only takes a couple breaths and is way easier than trying to pinch the valve with your fingers, especially because once it starts to get full it gets very difficult to hold your pinch, but the teeth won't let it escape. « Show Less
1603971
This is the ONLY thing that worked for us. Bite the valve while blowing. We pinched those stupid valves for over an hour with no success. Tire pump - no luck. Sticking holes in it with a safety pin - nada. But biting the valve open while blowing - yup, that is the only way we got it to work.
643686
I just assembled mine and tried it as well, the vapor is coming out the bottom, I tried the wiggle technique, but still no help. I emailed the company but guess I won't hear back until Monday.
889695
You need to bite the valve very low when you blow into it. It was very difficult the first time we inflated it but after that it does get easier.
518282
We are having the same problem and are very frustrated. We even bought the pump that goes with it. My husband continues to blow it up. They had the same pool on sale at Big Lots for $19.99. So disappointed!
2123216
Very easy! Like a small child's float or raft. Can easily be blown up by mouth!
1048826
Sounds like something is caught inside it. Try blowing it out from both directions with compressed air.
1494767
See the handle hanging (lowest item in the photo) that is attached by a line to a small cylinder of air. You have to pull that handle to set off the air that inflates the vest. It is category III lifevest:" Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue." I was a little disappointed that the makers of these vests are not required to state that in their advertisements. I bought mine for offshore kayaking, and I really should have purchased a more expensive model. If you are doing any river rafting I would recommend something that does not require manual inflation. If you accidentally bump your head, you may be incapable of igniting this device. Good luck. See the handle hanging (lowest item in the photo) that is attached by a line to a small cylinder of air. You have to pull that handle to set off the air that inflates the vest. It is category III lifevest:" Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue." I was a little disappointed that the makers of these vests are not required to state that in their advertisements. I bought mine for offshore kayaking, and I really should have purchased a more expensive model. If you are doing any river rafting I would recommend something that does not require... » Read More See the handle hanging (lowest item in the photo) that is attached by a line to a small cylinder of air. You have to pull that handle to set off the air that inflates the vest. It is category III lifevest:" Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue." I was a little disappointed that the makers of these vests are not required to state that in their advertisements. I bought mine for offshore kayaking, and I really should have purchased a more expensive model. If you are doing any river rafting I would recommend something that does not require manual inflation. If you accidentally bump your head, you may be incapable of igniting this device. Good luck. « Show Less
1790168
You blow it up manually with your mouth. There are two small compartments to blow up and you have to pinch the valves while you blow into it. It's really simple.
640255
you just have to blow into it like a balloon!... then put your thumb until you have the enclosure in it!...
2248181
You need to squeeze the valve while you blow into it. It is a bit hard to do at first, but does loosen up after you use it a bit. Hope that helps!
1759018
I would use a pump to blow it up, otherwise it will take forever. However, I would not recommend this product. Ours did not hold air and had to be blown up consistently.
1682132
One other comment: I saw the post from the person who said they killed themselves blowing it up. Floats these days have a valve that you have to pinch when you're blowing them up. If you're not doing it right, yes, you're going to bust a gut trying to blow it up. If you're pinching it right, it should only take a few minutes at most.
341391
There are about 8 different compartments that have to be blown up IN ORDER. The instructions should tell you where to start. I used an electric air pump. I wrestled with it for quite a while, but it was well worth it when my great grandson saw it and screamed. He loves it. I will tell you you have to have a tip that you have to push in pretty far. I see no way to blow it up by mouth. It would take a month
1644603
You really need a pump. My friend had one at the lake house where I left this. I'm talking about an electric pump. There are some that plug into the cigarette lighter on a boat that are ideal. It doesn't take terribly long. I cannot comment on using your lungs to blow it up. It would take a long while.
1494768
See the handle hanging (lowest item in the photo) that is attached by a line to a small cylinder of air. You have to pull that handle to set off the air that inflates the vest. It is category III lifevest:" Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue." I was a little disappointed that the makers of these vests are not required to state that in their advertisements. I bought mine for offshore kayaking, and I really should have purchased a more expensive model. If you are doing any river rafting I would recommend something that does not require manual inflation. If you accidentally bump your head, you may be incapable of igniting this device. Good luck.
1726388
I truly had no trouble inflating mine...just opened the valve and blew into it. If & WHEN you do get it operationaldon't inflate it until it's taut. Leave it a bit limp. We have gotten 2 summers out of our 6, and they're still going into the pool again this summer. Good luck! If it's still not inflating, send it back...I'm sure the seller will want to know it's not working.
2115371
I never opened this toy from the box... I would assume the whole thing is to be blown up with air vs water. This toy was so cheaply made we sent it back when we got it. Sorry I'm not much help with the base.