Lifejacket Service life?

[xeitosaphil]

Having just realised my Crewsaver lifejacket is 13 years old, but still functional ( I hope ) and as it is showing no signs of wear on the bladder and internals only the exterior is a little faded, underneath is as crisp in colour/ bright as was the day I purchased it.

Having said that I haven't checked them this year yet?

As a matter of interest, what would you think is the usable life expectancy of a good quality lifejacket if regularly maintained and serviced with new parts?

Philip

 

[Caer Urfa]

Having just realised my Crewsaver lifejacket is 13 years old, but still functional ( I hope ) and as it is showing no signs of wear on the bladder and internals only the exterior is a little faded, underneath is as crisp in colour/ bright as was the day I purchased it.

Having said that I haven't checked them this year yet?

what would you think is the usable life expectancy of a good quality lifejacket if regularly maintained and serviced with new parts?

Philip

Hi Phil

After 13 years and at the end of the day and whatever anyone else says YOU are the one wearing it, and I am quite sure your life is worth more than the maybe £100 to replace it.

I 'personally' replace my lifejackets after 10 years max but replace the firing pin and bottle yearly, as said you are the one wearing it and probably someone you value is wearing another one onboard your boat.

Mike

 

[Uricanejack]

Hi Phil

After 13 years and at the end of the day and whatever anyone else says YOU are the one wearing it, and I am quite sure your life is worth more than the maybe £100 to replace it.

I 'personally' replace my lifejackets after 10 years max but replace the firing pin and bottle yearly, as said you are the one wearing it and probably someone you value is wearing another one onboard your boat.

Mike

I don't think there is specific time or expected life span.
I manualy inflate 1 per year and leave inflated for 24 hrs. Check co2 bottle. Look at general condition particularly straps and lifting strap. Give a reply good pull as if trying to lift 15 stone guy.
Chech whistle and light if you have one. Lights are good for 5 yr.
If all above ok. It's okay.

If worn regularly check none of the straps contaminated with any nasty products one carries on boats. Particularly solvents.

Life will vary greatly depending on use and storage. Left damp and allowed to mildew will decrease life quicker than using regularly.

 

[JumbleDuck]

As a matter of interest, what would you think is the usable life expectancy of a good quality lifejacket if regularly maintained and serviced with new parts?

I think it depends more on how much the lifejacket has been worn rather than on how old it is. If it was in use year-round by long-distance cruising lifeaboards I wouldn't be surprised if it needed replaced after a year or two. If it did the usual dozen daytime passages during a three week annual cruise, years and years and years and years.

 

[onesea]

OK I do not wear it very often now days but mine is approaching 20 years old I think. Test it check it and see how it goes with 8 L/Js to maintain if I changed them every 10 years the cost would soon mount up.

As Jumble Duck says depends on how and how much its used.....

 

[xeitosaphil]

Thanks all for your comments.

Mine is used every time I go afloat as I am usually single handed but only approx 2-3 months use each year. It is always maintained with replacement parts when necessary, and due to be serviced again soon, before the season starts again.

Perhaps then it will be a good time to access it's curent condition and suitability, with regards to it's replacement?

Philip

 

[Daydream believer]

Left damp and allowed to mildew will decrease life quicker than using regularly.

So what are you saying?
We should make sure we fall in regularly???:encouragement:

 

[Sailfree]

With the crewsaver price for replacement bottle and hammer kit is it better to buy a new LJ?

Quick check shows Crewsaver automatic LJ £55 and rearming replacement kit approx £40

 

[xeitosaphil]

With the crewsaver price for replacement bottle and hammer kit is it better to buy a new LJ?

Quick check shows Crewsaver automatic LJ £55 and rearming replacement kit approx £40

I can Appreciate what you are saying but to replace my life jacket, it is in the region of £180+ so the £40 rearming service kit is not so bad?

http://www.mailspeedmarine.com/life...uto-gas-hammar-with-harness845187.bhtml#photo

Having said that should the need arise to replace it and no doubt it will in the not too distant future, I suppose it might be worth looking at alternatives maybe, but as others have said, you need to have peace of mind with your kit.

Philip

 

[JumbleDuck]

With the crewsaver price for replacement bottle and hammer kit is it better to buy a new LJ?

Quick check shows Crewsaver automatic LJ £55 and rearming replacement kit approx £40

Where did you find a Crewsaver automatic lifejacket at £155. I've just checked Force4, and the only Crewsaver automatics they do are Hammar release for is £109.95, and the rearming kit for those is £39.95. They list a manual Crewsaver LJ at £83.95 (rearming kit £13.95) and a standard auto rearming kit costs £24.95.

http://www.force4.co.uk/c/114/Lifejackets---Accessories.html?fbrand=54&Page=1&sortby=plh

 

[KellysEye]

Replace the gas cylinder. When I tried to replace a cylinder I couldn't get it out so got a pro to do it. Otherwise if the lifejacket is in good nick no need to change it.