Inflatable Life Jacket Care & Maintenance

The comfort of an inflatable life jacket is a beautiful thing. It means a boater is much more likely to actually wear it while enjoying the water, which is the end goal when it comes to life jackets and safety. Here’s how to keep your inflatables in peak condition.

Routine Checks Are Crucial

While wearing that inflatable life jacket every time when heading out on the water may give you a warm and fuzzy feeling, when’s the last time you inspected it? Sure, it looks OK, but how do you know it will actually work when needed? Unknown bladder leaks, improperly installed CO2 cylinders, and fabric degradation are just some of the issues that can render an inflatable life jacket useless, placing your life (or the lives of your crew) in jeopardy.

The goal of maintenance checks is to ensure that all parts of your inflatable life jacket (shell, bladder, inflation mechanism, CO2 cartridge) are in serviceable condition.

Inflatable life jackets come in a wide variety of configurations, from belt pack units and life vests (with and without integral harnesses) to inflatable jackets. While you should always read and follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule and requirements for your specific unit, here are some general recommendations that are a good starting point for inspecting any inflatable life jacket.

Each Time Before Use

1. Visually inspect the unit for signs of abrasion, rips, tears, punctures, stitching failure, or any other physical damage. Check that all buckles, straps, and hardware are in serviceable condition.
   
   
2. If equipped with a status indicator, verify that it’s GREEN. RED means the mechanism is damaged, has been activated, or is incorrectly installed. Note: Some life jackets have more than one status indicator, so check the owner’s manual if unsure.
   
   
3. Inspect the auto inflation system (if so equipped) and verify that it’s armed. There are two main types – hydrostatic (pressure-sensing) and bobbin type (water soluble) auto inflation systems. If the unit has a hydrostatic inflator, verify that it is not expired. If a bobbin type, verify that the white “pill” is intact and the unit is within its expiration date. If a date of manufacture is provided, but no expiration date, replace per the manufacturer’s recommendation. This is typically two to three years for bobbins and three to five years for hydrostatic inflators (depending on the model and manufacturer).
   
   
4. Verify that the CO2 cartridge is free from corrosion and firmly installed.
   
   
5. Check the oral inflation tube, verifying that the protective dust cap on the end of the tube is in place.
   
   
6. Check that the manual inflation pull tab is properly positioned and easily accessible.
   
   
7. Verify all zippers are operational (with pull tabs in the ready position) and that all hook-and-loop closures are aligned properly.
   
   
8. If the unit is a combination life jacket and safety harness, inspect the harness, as well as crotch and leg straps, for condition and proper alignment.
   
   
9. Inspect and test operation of any ancillary equipment (such as a strobe light or whistle). 

Every 2 Months

1. Fully inflate the life jacket using the oral inflation valve and allow it to sit overnight (16 to 18 hours) in a room with a constant temperature. A noticeable loss of firmness indicates a leak, in which case the unit must be returned to the manufacturer for inspection and servicing (never attempt to make repairs yourself). Before returning, however, first check the oral inflation valve (located at the end of the oral inflation tube); these sometimes stick open or seal improperly. With the life jacket inflated, test the inflation tube by immersing it in water, being careful to keep the auto inflator dry. If bubbles leak from the valve, remove from the water, deflate the life jacket, and orally inflate again (this may help the valve seat properly). Test the inflator again. If it continues to leak, return the life jacket to the manufacturer for repair.
   
   
2. If no leaks are noted, deflate the life jacket by turning the inflation tube cap upside down and pressing it against the inflation valve to open it. Next, gently squeeze the life jacket (without twisting or wringing) until all air has been removed. Once deflated, repack it per the manufacturer’s instructions, ensuring that the manual activation pull-tab lanyard is accessible and properly positioned.

Annual Inspection

1. Open up the life jacket, hand wash in warm water using mild soap, then rinse with fresh water (being careful to keep the auto inflator dry). Never dry clean your inflatable or use harsh chemicals (such as bleach or ammonia) to clean it. After washing, hang it on a plastic coat hanger and allow it to air dry out of direct sunlight; never dry by applying direct heat.
   
   
2. Once the life jacket is dry, inspect the shell (cover material), webbing, and stitching for damage, deterioration, or seam failure.
   
   
3. Access, remove, and inspect the CO2 cartridge for corrosion and other issues. Reinstall following the manufacturer’s instructions, being sure not to overtighten it.
   
   
4. Conduct the two-month inflation and leak test as described previously.
   
   
5. Test all ancillary equipment; for strobes, Personal Locator Beacons, and other electronics, verify battery expiration dates and replace if expired.
   
   
6. Repack the unit per the manufacturer’s directions.
   
   
7. Record the annual inspection in permanent ink on the life jacket service record label.

Storage

Always follow manufacturer requirements regarding storage of your inflatable life jacket. In general, they should be hung on a plastic coat hanger in a dry, well-ventilated location away from direct sunlight. If wet, allow them to air dry completely before storage. If exposed to saltwater, rinse with fresh water, then allow to dry before storage. If your unit has an auto-inflate feature, remove the auto-inflation cartridge prior to rinsing and be sure to reinstall it once the life jacket is dry and prior to storage.

Finally, always contact the manu­facturer if any questions arise or there are any doubts regarding the proper way to inspect or service your inflatable life jackets