Switlik Survival Products Marine Safety and Aviation Survival Equipment
Switlik Survival Products manufactures marine safety gear and aviation survival equipment for civilian, commercial, and military applications. Based in Trenton, New Jersey, the fourth-generation, family-owned company offers products that include marine life rafts, inflatable PFDs, and the Switlik MOM 8-S man-overboard module.
Switlik Survival Products Overview
Stanley Switlik, an immigrant from Galicia, founded Switlik Survival Products in 1920. The company began by sewing durable canvas goods before developing life-saving equipment for marine and aviation applications.
How to Choose Switlik Survival Equipment
Compare Switlik survival products by application, inflation technology, and servicing requirements. Coastal and offshore passage needs point sailors toward life rafts featuring hermetically sealed vacuum packaging, while the MOM 8-S module addresses quick-deploy man-overboard response.
| Switlik Product Group | Application or Consideration | Service or Certification Information |
|---|---|---|
| CPR & OPR Life Rafts | Recreational marine rafts with 3,000 PSI Air Charge Inflation Systems. | Features a 5-year raft hull service interval due to hermetic sealing. Time-sensitive survival equipment (flares, water) in external pockets may require shorter inspection windows. |
| MOM 8-S Module | Man-overboard response module featuring an underarm flotation device and pylon. | Designed for owner self-servicing. Has a 1-year service interval requirement using official Switlik re-arm kits and dated compliance stickers. Meets World Sailing OSR 4.22.1 standards. |
| Marine Life Raft Approvals | Marine survival equipment tailored for coastal and offshore recreational vessels. | Recreational models are built to Switlik standards rather than commercial SOLAS or USCG approvals. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What marine safety products does Switlik Survival Products manufacture?
Switlik manufactures marine safety equipment including the CPR (Coastal Passage Raft), OPR (Offshore Passage Raft), inflatable PFDs, and the MOM 8-S man-overboard module. The company also builds survival gear for commercial aviation, military, and helicopter operations.
What distinguishes Switlik marine survival equipment?
Switlik utilizes radio-frequency heat-sealed seams rather than glued construction, 3,000 PSI compressed air cylinders with built-in pressure gauges, and vacuum-sealed hermetic packaging. All products are manufactured in Trenton, New Jersey.
How often should a Switlik life raft be serviced?
Switlik recreational marine life rafts (such as the CPR and OPR) carry a 5-year service interval for the raft hull itself. This interval is made possible by patented vacuum packaging. However, time-sensitive supplies stored in external pack pockets (such as pyrotechnic flares) may require inspection or replacement on shorter schedules.
Can the Switlik MOM 8-S module be self-serviced?
Yes, the MOM 8-S soft-pack valise allows for owner self-servicing. However, the unit has a strict 1-year service interval. Boat owners must inspect, repack, and re-arm the unit annually using official Switlik re-arm kits to maintain compliance with race regulations like World Sailing OSR 4.22.1.
Are all Switlik life rafts SOLAS or USCG approved?
No. Switlik's primary recreational marine rafts (CPR and OPR) are designed for uninspected recreational vessels and are not SOLAS or USCG approved. Certain commercial aviation raft configurations hold FAA TSO-C70a Type II approvals, but sailors should ensure chosen models align with their vessel's regulatory requirements.
Which applications are Switlik survival products intended to serve?
Switlik products serve coastal and trans-oceanic recreational sailors, commercial mariners, military pilots, and aviation crews. Marine applications focus on offshore passage safety, coastal cruising protection, and man-overboard rescue response.