Do life jackets expire?

All of the care that you give to your PFD will prolong its use. There is no expiry date for a personal floatation device and/or lifejacket, but it becomes void if it has been repaired or altered; therefore, it is no longer usable and must be replaced and discarded for recycling.

How do you know if a life jacket is still good?

Vests should fit properly when you float in the water. No vest should not rise up over the wearer's shoulders when in the water. If the wearer cannot float safely with the life jacket, it can mean that the foam inside has lost its buoyancy and the jacket should be replaced.

How often should life jackets be replaced?

The lifespan of an inflatable lifejacket is thus limited to ten years. Linked to this ten year period is the regular servicing of the device in periods of no more than two years and is strongly recommended for all lifejackets used in leisure boating.

Do life vests go bad?

Answer: There is no expiration date but you should learn to inspect your PFDs (Personal Flotation Devices) as seen below I will show you some of the things we look for when checking them. If you have torn, worn and rotted PFDs you may say they have "expired".

What do you do with old life jackets?

By donating your gently used life jackets, you can help bring the joy of boating to other people right in your local community. If you have a life jacket that no longer fits your boat's passengers, please fill out this form and donate them to the Sea Tow Foundation.

Why Life Jackets Should Be Mandatory!

How long do inflatable life vests last?

With regular maintenance before and after every use, you can expect your inflatable life jacket to last up to ten years before needing to be replaced. "Daily" maintenance includes checking your CO2 cylinder and inspecting the life jackets for rips, tears and missing components before every use.

Why can't you wear a life jacket at the beach?

An unapproved devices can slide off, pop, or float a child face down. Water wings can actually slide off and even trap a drowning child underwater. With any device a child can easily float away and into deep water.

What is the lifespan of a PFD?

If you keep it clean, store it dry and use it appropriately, a good PFD should last you 10 years or more.

When should I retire my life jacket?

Generally, foam life jackets have a 10 year lifespan. This includes PFDs for leisure purposes. Life jackets for commercial use will usually need to be replaced more frequently. With inflatable life jackets, you will often find that the air cartridge has an expiration date printed on the side.

Can you return life jackets?

Defective merchandise must be returned within 15 days. These items will be inspected and if defective, will be eligible for a refund or replacement. Used merchandise found to be free of defects will be refused. Some exceptions may apply please contact us if concerned.

How often should life jackets be checked?

Manufacturers generally recommend lifejackets to be serviced every two years by people they appoint. However, where lifejackets are used very regularly, an annual or more frequent service may be needed.

Do life jackets expire Australia?

It's recommended that the average lifespan of a lifejacket is 10 years. It's suggested to buy new lifejackets every decade to ensure your safety while boating, but regardless of whether they're foam or inflatable, make sure they have the Australian Standards number – AS4758 – printed somewhere on the label.

Should you replace the CO2 cylinder in an inflatable PFD?

After an inflatable PFD has been inflated using a cylinder, replace the spent cylinder and re-arm it. Because an inflatable PFD is a mechanical device, it requires regular maintenance. Maintain the inflatable portion of the PFD as instructed in the owner's manual.

Do PFD CO2 cartridges expire?

Hammar recommends the inflator be replaced every five years, and provides a kit and YouTube video describing the process (below).

What does 90 lbs mean on a life jacket?

“ADULT LARGE”

ADULT >90 LBS. Chest size is used on ADULT devices to further define the fit.

Can life jackets be repaired?

Inflating PFD's still have the same basic principles as above, their fabric will weaken over time and any rips or tears cannot simply be repaired.

How do you clean a moldy life jacket?

Make a solution that is 2/3 water and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide and pour it onto any mold, mildew, or stains. Place the life jacket in the sun and allow this solution to soak into it for half an hour. Again use your nylon scrubber, brush, or a cloth to scrub the areas where you placed the solution.

How often should a life jacket be tested for buoyancy?

Life jackets and PFDs should be tested for buoyancy at the start of each season and on a regular basis throughout the season. Even if they are new! How to test a flotation device: Put on and properly fit the life jacket or PFD and wade into chest deep water.

Is a swim vest the same as a life jacket?

The difference between a life jacket, a puddle jumper and a swim vest is that a swim vest is a swimming aid and not a life saving device. The life jacket and puddle jumper are designed to provide buoyancy and can often be approved by the US Coast Guard to meet boating regulations.

Are life jackets safer than puddle jumpers?

Once your child has learned the basics of swimming and is comfortable around water, instead of using a puddle jumper, both Hyman and Fuselli recommend using a lifejacket whenever hands-on supervision is not possible.

How long do CO2 cartridges last in life jackets?

If they are properly cared for, hydrostatic inflators can go without maintenance for up to five years, at which time the activator and CO2 cartridge are simply replaced.

How long do lifejacket cylinders last?

The gas cylinders don't have an expiry date as such - that only applies to auto inflation mechanisms. You should unscrew the cylinder and weigh it - you will find a "tare weight" stamped on the side and provided it still weighs at least that (or a couple of grams more) then it's still ok.

What does 50S mean on a life jacket?

The level 50 life jackets are designed for smooth and partially smooth waters, and do not have collars to keep the head above water. These life jackets are popular with water sports, water skiing, kayaking, fishing and other activities where you expect to regularly get in the water.