maintenance tips

 

Looking after your inflatable lifejacket


The care and maintenance of your inflatable lifejacket, also known as a personal flotation device, is your responsibility.

Here are some simple tips to help you properly care for your inflatable lifejacket.

Have you read the instructions?
Your inflatable lifejacket should contain information on how to wear, operate and look after your device. It is important that you familiarize yourself with these instructions.

How do I look after my lifejacket?
Check the following for excessive wear, cracking, fraying or anything to indicate possible loss of strength:
zips, buckles, waist belts, all fastening mechanisms and devices.
Also, check that: the gas cylinder is screwed in firmly, the lifejacket has not been activated and there is no rust on the gas cylinder.

Don’t forget to manually inflate the lifejacket from time to time.

To do this: open up the inflatable lifejacket to expose the inflation tube
inflate with dry air leave it inflated overnight, check for loss of pressure the next day. If you believe there is leakage, contact the manufacturer or your local service agent immediately.

If there is no obvious loss of pressure, deflate the inflatable lifejacket by turning the cap upside down and holding the topside (with the knob down) pressed into the inflation tube. This will open the one-way valve. Make sure all the air is expelled and the life jacket is repacked correctly.

What should I do with my inflatable lifejacket at the end of a day out?
If your inflatable lifejacket is equipped with automatic inflation, remove the bobbin or cartridge before washing to avoid accidental inflation.

  • Rinse: If it has been exposed to salt water, rinse thoroughly in fresh cold water.
  • Wash: To clean the outer shell of it, hand wash with warm soapy water. A clothing cleaning agent can be used for removing grease and stubborn stains.
  • Dry: Hang it up in a shaded area to dry thoroughly before storing.

Important
If your inflatable lifejacket is equipped with automatic inflation remember to replace the bobbin or cartridge once the inflatable lifejacket is thoroughly dry. The bobbin can only be inserted one way and the cartridge simply screws in.

Bobbins and cartridges
Some automatic inflatable lifejackets are equipped with sacrificial water-soluble bobbins and others with sacrificial paper element cartridges. They are prone to accidental inflation if exposed to humid conditions for any length of time. If you have any difficulty, contact the manufacturer, service agent or place of purchase.

What if I have deployed my inflatable lifejacket?
If you use your inflatable lifejacket, you will need to replace the CO2 gas cylinder once it has been used. It is recommended that you have your inflatable lifejacket serviced each time it is deployed. The inflatable lifejacket can then be checked for any damage which may have occurred during the incident. For automatic inflatable lifejackets, it is recommended that the bobbins or cartridges be replaced in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations.

Does my inflatable lifejacket need to be serviced?
Your inflatable lifejacket should be serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. Refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations for full servicing details relevant to your inflatable lifejacket.

 

  1. Albury

  2. PFD1 PTY LTD
  3. PH 0439 712 200
  4. EMAIL info@pfd1.com.au
  5. Web www.pfd1.com.au
  6. Adelaide

  7. Personal Floatation Device Servicing SA
  8. PH 0497 804 266
  9. EMAIL sa@pfdservicing.com.au
  10. Web www.pfdservicing.com.au

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