Inflators/Pumps

Inflators/Pumps

Investing in an electric pump can seem like overkill. As you stand in front of the shelf in the store you may think to yourself, exactly how much will I use it? Won't it become just another gadget that collects dust in the garage or attic, attesting to years of impulse spending? Well, not necessarily.

Technology is a marvelous thing and in recent years clever product developers have brought us everything from the blow-up bed that makes sleepovers a breeze, to the Swiss ball that gave a whole new dimension to our exercise regimes. This is all good and well until the time comes to inflate your new purchases. When it comes to large inflatable objects like lilos, outdoor pools and rubber ducks, a single person's lung capacity is simply not going to do the trick - which is where the air pump comes in. Using an inflator device makes the whole inflation process MUCH easier.
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So, once you have ascertained that an electric air pump is indeed a good purchase you have to decide which model will be best suited to your needs. Here are a few questions you should ask yourself before you venture into the store:

1. What is an air pump and how does it work? An air pump is a device that is used to move air or gas into an inflatable object from a low pressure environment to a higher pressure environment, which fills the object with air and makes it usable. An air pump usually comprises a nozzle, pump, hose and air chamber. The pump draws air through a piston and moves it from the air chamber to the inflatable object.

2. Do I want a manual or automatic pump? A manual pump is operated by means of an upstroke and downstroke pumping action that is performed by the hand or foot. An automatic pump, on the other hand, is operated by means of electricity or batteries and requires no manual action.

3. What distinguishes one pump from another? Look at things like the nozzle, settings and air pressure gauge before you purchase a pump. The ideal pump will have multiple nozzles that you can use on a variety of inflatable objects, three pressure settings to avoid over-inflation, as well as a built-in pressure gauge that will indicate when an object is properly inflated.

If you are still unsure which product to buy after answering these questions we recommend that you speak to an in-store sales assistant who has the expertise to assist you with your sports equipment purchase.