What triggers the hydrostatic release for automatic liferafts?

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Hydrostatic release works on depth-driven pressure. When the life raft’s release unit is submerged to a predetermined depth, the surrounding water pressure acts on a sealed mechanism and releases the securing bracket, allowing the raft to detach from the vessel and inflate automatically. This system relies on hydrostatic pressure, not temperature, seawater conductivity, or buoyancy, so those factors don’t trigger the release. The purpose is to ensure the raft frees and inflates even if the crew can’t manually detach it, as the vessel sinks.