How long should a life jacket last under normal conditions? And how long will they last? If you didn’t take care of them for many many years? My question is should I go ahead and purchase a new life jackets? The ones I had or have our foam jackets not the inflatable ones. Thank you for your input.

17 minutes ago, Justbass11 said:

How long should a life jacket last under normal conditions? And how long will they last? If you didn’t take care of them for many many years? My question is should I go ahead and purchase a new life jackets? The ones I had or have our foam jackets not the inflatable ones. Thank you for your input.

Everyone's ides of 'normal conditions' is probably a little different.

Actual chronological age doesn't really matter.

However the material condition of the PFD's does.

Either way, perhaps just give the ones you have a real life 'inspection.'

Ensure the material encasing the foam is intact and dry,  noting any deteriorated areas

and is in good repair. No mold, mildew or other type of stank. 

Same with the straps and buckles (usually plastic these days).

If you want to test the integrity of the straps,

Stand on the jacket and yank up on the strap pretty good.

If stitching or the buckles fails, you'll have your answer.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

Everyone's ides of 'normal conditions' is probably a little different.

Actual chronological age doesn't really matter.

However the material condition of the PFD's does.

Either way, perhaps just give the ones you have a real life 'inspection.'

Ensure the material encasing the foam is intact and dry,  noting any deteriorated areas

and is in good repair. No mold, mildew or other type of stank. 

Same with the straps and buckles (usually plastic these days).

If you want to test the integrity of the straps,

Stand on the jacket and yank up on the strap pretty good.

If stitching or the buckles fails, you'll have your answer.

Good Luck

A-Jay

 

 

 

 

Absolutely; I'll add that there's a "life span" on the bobbin and such on auto-inflatables, although I admit I do not know what that span is. If you have auto-inflatables, I'd inspect the whole system and do some homework on replacement due dates. 

10 minutes ago, Smokinal said:

Absolutely; I'll add that there's a "life span" on the bobbin and such on auto-inflatables, although I admit I do not know what that span is. If you have auto-inflatables, I'd inspect the whole system and do some homework on replacement due dates. 

Inflatable unit's have an actual 'expiration date' right on the gage

and should be changed when required. 

An expired unit might still work but will 'not count' in the 'eyes of the law' should you & your vessel be fortunate enough to be inspected.

Same with pyrotechnics (flares) where & when required. 

I wish I didn't have an expiration date.

Just saying. 

A-Jay

 

Thanks @A-Jay and @Smokinal, I appreciate the advice. The one I have is in bad shape the more I look at. Might just have to buy a new one. Thanks again 

Thanks fellas.  Had some similar concerns about my own life vest. 

I agree with the above 100%. Safety isn’t an area to guess, if you have doubt replace.

 

Thanks for bringing this up, time for me replace.

A water safety question you might not have thought of (I hadn't), answered by an actual US Coast Guard guy --- where else but BassResource??

Old food saying "When In Doubt, Throw It Out" Might wanna consider that when it comes to your life.

The rule of thumb I was told is 5 years unless there is mold, broken hardware or a tear in the fabric, then it should be replaced sooner.

 

Also, the foam should not be brick hard. Squeeze a new one and compare it to the old.  

I appreciate the discussion here.

 

I assume that sunlight is the primary thing that degrades life vests?

You could also wear one next time you go swimming , see how she floats 

5 hours ago, Bazoo said:

I appreciate the discussion here.

 

I assume that sunlight is the primary thing that degrades life vests?

Heat and abrasion also 

So staying in a hot locker year after year. Thanks.

On 8/18/2024 at 8:16 PM, A-Jay said:

Inflatable unit's have an actual 'expiration date' right on the gage

and should be changed when required. 

An expired unit might still work but will 'not count' in the 'eyes of the law' should you & your vessel be fortunate enough to be inspected.

Same with pyrotechnics (flares) where & when required. 

I wish I didn't have an expiration date.

Just saying. 

A-Jay

 

I don't mean to hijack a thread, but @A-Jay, since you mentioned pyros, what is the correct way to disposed of expired flares?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

I have been in the aviation maintenance field for over 40 years. If you don’t know this, most of a commercial aircraft is composed of parts that are time-limited. In other words, they are tracked by actual time (months/years) or flight cycles (take-offs and landings), and those components are removed and replaced prior to a determined MTBF (mean time before failure) date. This includes the life vests under your seat or the life raft over your head. 
 

Nothing lasts forever. And when it comes to safety (aviation, boating, motor vehicle or home), playing it safe is not an option. One day that life preserver will fail. The time to discover that is not when your boat is headed for Davy Jones’ Locker. 
 

@A-Jay advice is 100% spot on. Follow it to the letter. 

6 hours ago, DaveT63 said:

I don't mean to hijack a thread, but @A-Jay, since you mentioned pyros, what is the correct way to disposed of expired flares?

 

Thanks,

 

Dave

Shoot them at @roadwarrior. 

🤣

A-Jay 

5 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Shoot them at @roadwarrior. 

🤣

A-Jay 

 

This is what I did!  Shot them off July 4th.  No one knew the difference.

 

 

 

18 hours ago, A-Jay said:

Shoot them at @roadwarrior. 

🤣

A-Jay 

LOL

Just bought a new one myself.  No inflatables for me only full vest style.