What is the date stamped on a life jacket CO2 cylinder?

[RIN]

Having read VP's recent post about life jackets, I bought mine home to check. I thought I did this every year but the documentation shows I last checked them in April 2009 All cylinders fine as regards weight, one slightly rusty and now discarded.

The cylinders have the following dates stamped on them 2000-07 or 10/04. I take that to be the date of manufacture. So a couple were 12 years old and two others 8 years old

The question is how old should the cylinder be before being disposed of? Do they last forever? Should I replace all of them?

 

[misterg]

The question is how old should the cylinder be before being disposed of? Do they last forever? Should I replace all of them?

They should also have a weight stamped on them - I can't remember off hand whether it's a tare weight and a nominal CO2 capacity or a gross weight when full, but either way, if they're not corroded and otherwise look in good shape, put them on the scales and check that the weight still tallies.

If so, I would countinue to use them regardless of age. YMMV.

Andy

 

[PaulGooch]

Having read VP's recent post about life jackets, I bought mine home to check. I thought I did this every year but the documentation shows I last checked them in April 2009 All cylinders fine as regards weight, one slightly rusty and now discarded.

The cylinders have the following dates stamped on them 2000-07 or 10/04. I take that to be the date of manufacture. So a couple were 12 years old and two others 8 years old

The question is how old should the cylinder be before being disposed of? Do they last forever? Should I replace all of them?

If the weight is within the acceptable limits and they aren't corroded, they are good. The firing mechanism needs changing at the date stamped on it.