do PFDs expire ??

[moparlvr4406]

Having a CG inspection done soon and don't wish to fail.
I have many PFDs of marine sizes on board bit all are at least 10 years old but color is good and no rot on the outer shells... most really have never been exposed to the sun no less used or been in the water.
do they have any type of time lifespan or expiration date ??

 

[sdarc]

I "think" there is a date on PFD. It is either imprinted or on a tag.

 

[IanBat]

Speaking from Australian. The d types no, they float. But the newer inflatable units have to be serviced yearly


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Lazy Daze]

No expiration (but there is a CG approval number), but they need to be in good, serviceable condition. This means no tears or holes, straps not dry rotted or UV degraded, and the CG # must be completely legible. If you have the old, Kapok-style, then a squeeze test should be performed to ensure no air will escape. Be sure to NOT store the vest in the original, plastic wrapper - it is not "readily available" and will not count as one of your vests.

The above is for the normal "type". Inflatables... I think there is? But I'm not 100% sure.

 

[sdarc]

No expiration (but there is a CG approval number), but they need to be in good, serviceable condition. This means no tears or holes, straps not dry rotted or UV degraded, and the CG # must be completely legible. If you have the old, Kapok-style, then a squeeze test should be performed to ensure no air will escape. Be sure to NOT store the vest in the original, plastic wrapper - it is not "readily available" and will not count as one of your vests.

The above is for the normal "type". Inflatables... I think there is? But I'm not 100% sure.

That's what I thought was dated. Thank you for the clarification.

 

[sdarc]

And yes have them readily available. They didn't like it much when mine were stored in a life jacket bag IN the engine room. Hey, I had to use that unused generator shelf for something.

 

[moparlvr4406]

Mine are out of the plastic bags and stowed in the coffin..aka aft bench seat
And always have 1 throwable on a rope out behind the helm seat and 3 more flotation cushion in the cabinet behind the helm.

 

[PatSea]

There is no expiration date for any pfd, including inflatables. The inflatables must be armed and must show "green".

 

[IanBat]

There is no expiration date for any pfd, including inflatables. The inflatables must be armed and must show "green".

Would love some more info on this......not debating it.....your standards, which I would expect are different to ours, believe me if the bar was 100, Australia would set it at 110, though will come back to that later.

We do not have any indicator on our inflatable jackets, believe me, we sell them. However the flap on the jacket when opened shows an inspection date, which must be done yearly. Self inspection is allowable.

Basically, you inflate the jacket and it must stay inflated, no loss of pressure for 24 hours, then replace the canister. First time I did it, I discarded/destroyed one jacket, kept losing pressure

Back to the 100 vs 110 bit, funnily we do not have an annual inspection, just a random one......a customer was telling me last week, they got inspected and breath tested for alcohol 30 km offshore whilst fishing


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[fwebster]

Bordering on too many details here, but inflatables with a CO canister for inflation do have expiration dates on the CO cylinder. Past the expiration date and they are considered non-serviceable.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Having a CG inspection done soon and don't wish to fail.
I have many PFDs of marine sizes on board bit all are at least 10 years old but color is good and no rot on the outer shells... most really have never been exposed to the sun no less used or been in the water.
do they have any type of time lifespan or expiration date ??

You can perform a "virtual" USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check yourself:

http://vdept.cgaux.org/vve/launch.htm

 

[IanBat]

Bordering on too many details here, but inflatables with a CO canister for inflation do have expiration dates on the CO cylinder. Past the expiration date and they are considered non-serviceable.

So, you can't purchase the replacement CO canister service kits, in the US?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[MonacoMike]

You can perform a "virtual" USCG Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check yourself:

http://vdept.cgaux.org/vve/launch.htm

I wish they had this available in an app as it will not work on a phone or pad since it is Flash based. More of us are on our vessels with a phone or pad than a wifi connected computer.

MM

 

[Westie]

Bordering on too many details here, but inflatables with a CO canister for inflation do have expiration dates on the CO cylinder. Past the expiration date and they are considered non-serviceable.

So can't you just use the CO from a portable generator to fill them back up:smt043

 

[Lazy Daze]

So, you can't purchase the replacement CO canister service kits, in the US?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

They are available.

 

[fwebster]

CO2 cartridges are cheap enough ($3.50-$10 depending upon size and method of attachment) that it isn't worth cutting corners on sourcing them.

 

[dpmulvey]

I wish they had this available in an app as it will not work on a phone or pad since it is Flash based. More of us are on our vessels with a phone or pad than a wifi connected computer.

MM

Download "Puffin" It's fast and runs flash on iPads and iPhones.

 

[MonacoMike]

Download "Puffin" It's fast and runs flash on iPads and iPhones.

I will check it out. Thanks, MM

 

[OldSkool]

I test mine every year. Throw the heaviest grandson overboard with the smallest vest. If he floats then good to go. If not then throw the vest away.

Before anyone calls a governmental safety protection agency on me, just know that I do tie them off for easy retrieval.

(the PFD's I mean:grin

 

[AKBASSKING]

Form the USCG website:http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/pfdselection.asp

CHECKING YOUR PFD:

• Your PFD is required to be in serviceable condition in order to be used on your boat as one of the required PFDs.
• Check your PFD often for rips, tears, and holes, and to see that seams, fabric straps, and hardware are okay. There should be no signs of waterlogging, mildew odor, or shrinkage of the buoyant materials.
• If your PFD uses bags of kapok (a naturally buoyant material), gently squeeze the bag to check for air leaks. If it leaks, it should be thrown away. When kapok gets wet, it can get stiff or waterlogged and can lose some of its buoyancy.
• Don't forget to test each PFD at the start of each season. Remember, the law says your PFDs must be in good shape before you use your boat. Ones that are not in good shape should be cut up and thrown away.