Inspecting Your Inflatable PFD
Inflatable Life Jackets have gained popularity among boaters due to their comfort compared to traditional life jackets. We tend to be more likely to wear them if they feel good. However, like all safety equipment, inspecting your inflatable life vest at least once a year is essential to ensure it functions properly. We recommend doing this at the beginning of the boating season or before any major outings. Below are the expert-recommended steps for inspecting your inflatable personal flotation device (PFD).
Essential Tips for Inspecting Your Inflatable PFD
- Annual Inspections are Critical: Always inspect your inflatable life vest at least once a year, preferably at the start of the boating season.
- Check the Outer Shell and Hardware: Visually inspect the outer cover for tears and test all buckles and straps.
- Verify Inflation Components: Ensure the CO2 canister is not corroded or discharged (look for a pinhole), and verify that the arming indicator is showing green.
- Perform a 24-Hour Leak Test: Manually inflate the PFD using the oral inflation tube and leave it for 24 hours to check for slow leaks and confirm air retention.
- Address Fabric Damage Immediately: If the outer fabric has a tear, it is safest to replace the PFD.
- Carry Spares: Keep at least one spare re-arm kit on board and consider adding safety accessories like a marine whistle and water-activated strobe light.
Unpack
Your first step is to visually inspect the outer cover for any tears that may expose the inner bladder to damage. Next, test the buckles to ensure they are in good working order and that the straps are intact.
After that, carefully open the life jacket, paying attention to how it unpacks so you can repack it the same way when you finish testing.
Once open, you should see several components:
- CO2 canister This contains the gas used to inflate your life jacket.
- Arming indicator This shows whether your life jacket is armed (green) or not (red).
- Manual inflation valve This allows you to manually inflate your life jacket for testing or in an emergency.
Some life jackets also come with a whistle packed inside or at least a spot to clip one in. If you don't have a marine whistle, it's a good idea to add one, along with a water-activated strobe light, in case you end up in the water at night.
Inspect
After unpacking your personal flotation device (PFD), conduct a thorough life jacket inspection to ensure it is safe for use. Begin by visually inspecting the inside for any holes or tears that might compromise buoyancy. Unscrew the CO2 cartridge and check the tip for any signs of corrosion or discharge; if it has discharged, you'll see a pinhole at the tip. Knowing how inflatable life jackets work is essential to maintaining them properly—especially since they rely on either manual, bobbin, or hydrostatic activation systems to inflate.
If your inflatable PFD uses a bobbin activation system (sometimes referred to as a "pill"), ensure it is intact and doesn't need replacement, as bobbins
can decay over time. Most manufacturers recommend replacing the bobbin every two years to maintain reliable activation. For hydrostatic vests, re-arming every five years is typically advised by manufacturers.
If you're wondering how should a PFD be tested, it's essential to follow the manufacturer's instructions, which usually recommend periodic inflation testing to confirm the vest's air retention and integrity. Fisheries Supply offers a wide variety of re-arm kits for most inflatable life jackets on the market, and keeping at least one spare on board is advisable to ensure your PFD is always ready for action.
Next, locate the oral inflation tube and inflate your vest. This method will allow you to inflate your life jacket in an emergency if the CO2 cartridge fails, so knowing where it is located is crucial. Leave your PFD inflated for 24 hours to check for any slow leaks.
To deflate the PFD, press lightly on the top of the oral inflation tube, ensuring there are no leaks. Remove all the air, reinstall the CO2 cartridge, and ensure the life jacket is completely dry before repacking it.
Repack your PFD exactly as you unpacked it, consulting the manual if necessary. The folds should be smooth, and everything should be packed tightly. Pay extra attention to placing the manual inflation tab in the correct position to avoid accidental inflation of the jacket.
Ensure the CO² canister is aligned correctly, and confirm that you can easily see the arming indicator through the transparent window. The indicator should show GREEN, which means your inflatable PFD is armed and ready for use if needed.
What should you do if a PFD has a tear in the outer fabric?
If a PFD has a tear in the outer fabric, it's generally safest to replace it, as damage can compromise its integrity and effectiveness. However, if replacement isn't immediately possible, here's what you can do:
- Assess the Damage: Inspect the tear carefully. If it's minor and hasn't affected the inner bladder of an inflatable PFD, a temporary repair may be possible.
- Temporary Repair: Use marine-grade fabric tape to seal the tear if it's small and in a non-critical area. Ensure the tape adheres well and that no other areas are fraying.
- Test for Buoyancy: After patching, perform a buoyancy test in shallow water to confirm it can still provide adequate floatation.
- Plan for Replacement: Even with a temporary repair, plan to replace the PFD as soon as possible to ensure reliable performance in an emergency.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I perform a formal inspection of my inflatable life jacket?
You should perform a thorough inspection of your inflatable PFD at least once a year, ideally at the start of the boating season or before any major offshore trip. Regular visual checks of the arming indicator should be done every time you put the vest on to ensure the green "ready" status is visible.
How do I check if my inflatable life jacket has a leak?
To test for leaks, manually inflate the life jacket using the oral inflation tube until it is firm. Leave it inflated in a room with a stable temperature for 24 hours. If the vest loses significant firmness during this time, it has a leak and should be replaced or professionally serviced.
What is the difference between a bobbin and a hydrostatic inflator for maintenance?
Bobbins (or "pills") are water-sensitive elements that dissolve to trigger inflation and generally need replacement every two years because they can degrade from humidity. Hydrostatic systems use water pressure to trigger inflation and typically have a longer service interval, often requiring replacement every five years.
Can I reuse a CO2 cylinder after the life jacket has been inflated?
No, CO2 cylinders are single-use only. Once the PFD has been discharged, you must replace the cylinder with a new one of the exact size and threading specified by the manufacturer.
What should I do if I find a small tear in the outer cover of my PFD?
If the tear is only in the outer protective cover and has not damaged the inner yellow buoyancy bladder, you can perform a temporary repair using marine-grade fabric tape. However, because the cover protects the critical inflation components, you should plan to replace the life jacket as soon as possible.