How long does a lifejacket last?
The lifespan of a lifejacket is limited. It has been set at 10 years, due to the wear and ageing of the various materials of which it is made. In fact, it is estimated that the buoyancy and performance of a lifejacket are much less effective after around ten years. That's why it's important to know how to test a lifejacket to ensure its reliability over time.
Validity, standards... what the law says
Lifejackets have a limited lifespan, due to the many stresses and strains they undergo during activities, maneuvers and water sports. In fact, although they are highly effective in keeping adults and children safe while sailing, over the years they can become less effective. Sea salt, sunlight and compression put all lifejacket models on the market to the test, as do the lifejacket accessories that go with them.
The current iso standard for inflatable lifejackets was developed with buoyancy as a priority, and under this standard every iso-certified lifejacket must have an expiry date. For self-inflating lifejackets, the validity date may vary according to the jacket, but is set at ten years. Ideally, the date of first purchase or introduction onto the market should be known. However, article R 4312-6 of the French Labour Code remains rather vague, leaving it up to the individual to decide whether or not to keep a lifejacket beyond this period, as long as it continues to meet the expected requirements.
Lifejacket service life
On board a boat, from a few hours' pleasure cruising to professional use, it's important to check the expiration date of your lifejacket (or cartridge for an automatic lifejacket) before each use, or to keep it in mind. The expiration date is a first indication of how long your lifejacket will last. However, there are a number of important criteria which seem to have an impact on the buoyancy and durability of lifejackets.
The quality of an inflatable lifejacket and its composite products, such as the foam, the release system or the harness, can influence the durability of the lifejacket itself, since they are essential for efficiency and buoyancy.
However, certain product categories, such as reflective strips or the zippers on inflatable lifejackets, are more rapidly degraded by repeated wear and tear. As a result, these components have a limited lifespan of around ten years, depending on the type of inflatable lifejacket. In other words, a lifejacket has a validity date. However, there is no law requiring you to replace them systematically, or simply limiting the use of safety equipment to ensure optimum performance.
Efficiency of the vest
Ideally, for continued practice and regular use of your inflatable or foam lifejacket, we strongly recommend that you change it every ten years, so that you can continue to enjoy water sports safely and serenely, by carrying out the necessary checks and recording them in a maintenance log.
