What is Hydrostatic Release Unit and Its Purpose As already told, that it is type of arrangement which will lead to automatic operation of life raft, means, cut off and inflation of the life raft. You must be aware about the inflation arrangement of the same, in which we use Co2 cylinder to inflate it. But when we have ample amount of time, we simply throw the life raft in to the sea, with a painter line attached to it. Sudden jerk on the rope, release the Co2 from the cylinder, and inflate the raft. You might be interested in read this: All