How do I test a lifejacket?
Regular checks and tests are necessary to ensure that your lifejacket is working properly and to improve its durability. Testing your inflatable lifejacket will mainly involve assessing its buoyancy in the water and determining cartridge depletion. We also advise you to consult the manufacturer's user manual before attempting to service your lifejacket yourself.
How do you test and maintain your lifejacket ?
The primary purpose of a lifejacket is to save your life in the event of an on-board emergency, whatever your boating habits. This safety equipment must be regularly serviced by you or a professional to make it operational on the boat. Whether it's a 275 Newton automatic lifejacket or a 50 Newton foam lifejacket, your equipment must comply with current safety standards.
Preventive maintenance of your lifejacket is of vital importance, and must be carried out regularly. Lifejackets need to be tested for a number of different things. The condition of the straps, the watertightness and the operation of the bladder and lung should all be checked. They must also be checked to make sure they are keeping the air in. The trigger system should be updated, and in some cases replaced. The lifejacket manufacturer's recommendations are important in the lifejacket testing phase. Keep all related information in the user manual.
If you don't feel comfortable servicing your lifejacket yourself, we recommend that you contact your manufacturer directly to carry out these checks. The same applies to the replacement of your lifejacket's gas cartridge: professional advice is recommended. The aim is to ensure that your safety equipment is always in good condition and ready to use when you need it.
Test and maintain your lifejacket yourself
Please note that this check cannot replace those carried out by a professional at an approved service station or center.
The lifespan of a lifejacket has been limited to 10 years, due to the wear and tear it can undergo during navigation. To guarantee the performance of this safety equipment, it must be serviced at these facilities at least every two years. All lifejacket categories are subject to this standard.
- Vérification des courroies
Our aim here is to check the condition of the belts and related accessories. Make sure they're not broken, and that there's no paint or oil inside to damage them. Next, check that the buckles are in good condition (some may have been damaged by the harness), and that the fasteners work properly. If any of these parts are damaged, replace them, or buy a new vest if it's too worn. - Vérification de la vessie
To test the condition of the bladder, open the lifejacket using the zipper on either side. This gives you access to the bladder and the inflatable bag that provide buoyancy. Inside the inflatable bag, you'll find a mouthpiece for mouth inflation of the vest's bladder. Now inflate the vest bladder through this mouthpiece to assess its watertightness and the condition of the textile to detect potential leaks. Fill the bladder as full as possible with air. Then leave the vest inflated for a few hours (exact time determined by the manufacturer's instructions). You can then check that the vest is still properly inflated and that it is not leaking air. If necessary, you'll need to replace the lifejacket with a new one. - Vérification du système de déclenchement
Keep your vest open. Pull out the lifejacket's release system from the inside. Dismantle according to the lifejacket manufacturer's instructions. Set aside the canister inside. Check the information on the mechanism. If the system's expiry date has passed, you'll need to dismantle and replace it. For tablet systems, the trigger mechanism is accessible in the same way. The capsule, designed to melt on contact with water to trigger the system, may have been damaged over time. Check the cartridge's expiry date to determine the fate of your current trigger system.
Have your lifejacket tested at an approved center
If you don't feel comfortable having your lifejacket serviced, go to an approved service center or station. In any case, your lifejacket should be fully serviced every two years, regardless of the category of lifejacket you own.
In addition, any necessary repairs are carried out during the overhaul. Various types of optional accessories, such as the flashlight and fog hood, can also be checked. The overhaul of your automatic vest is tracked by computer. You can also record all interventions and revisions carried out on your lifejacket in a service log.
