Regular Lifejacket Servicing Could Save Your Life
Regular Lifejacket Servicing Could Save Your Life
Lifejackets are essential safety equipment for anyone venturing onto the water. However, simply owning one isn't enough; regular servicing is crucial to ensure it functions correctly when needed most.
Vital Maintenance: Regular Self-Inspection AND Annual Professional Servicing
The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) emphasizes that a well-maintained lifejacket can significantly increase survival chances in cold water emergencies. They recommend regular self-inspections and annual professional servicing to ensure reliability.
Leading lifejacket manufacturers such as Crewsaver, advise a comprehensive inspection every three months, including leak tests and checking for fabric damage. They also recommend annual servicing by approved professionals to maintain the integrity of the lifejacket.
Regular Self-Inspection Key Checks
To keep your lifejacket in optimal condition carry out the following checks:
- Visual inspection: Look for cuts, tears, or abrasion on the fabric.
- Leak testing: Inflate the lifejacket orally and leave it inflated for at least 12 hours to check for leaks.
- Component checks: Ensure the CO₂ cylinder is tightly screwed in and free from corrosion. Check that the automatic firing capsule is within its expiry date.
- Cleaning and storage: Rinse with fresh water after use, especially after exposure to saltwater. Allow to dry naturally before storing in a dry, well-ventilated space.
Annual Professional Servicing
While regular self-checks are vital, annual servicing by professionals ensures that internal components are thoroughly inspected and replaced if necessary. This is particularly important for inflatable lifejackets, where internal mechanisms can degrade over time.
Trust CH Marine with your professional annual lifejacket servicing
CH Marine offers accredited lifejacket servicing at our approved safety service centre. Our highly trained and certified technicians service all makes of lifejackets including Crewsaver, Baltic, Mullion, Plastimo and Spinlock.
Also, all lifejackets being serviced are added to SAMS, our in-house asset management system. Here, all details and procedures associated with your lifejacket and its status are recorded through this cloud based program. Customers have access to their own online control panel and notifications are sent by text and e-mail of impending service due or expiry dates.
Recent Posts
-
Regular Lifejacket Servicing Could Save Your Life
Regular Lifejacket Servicing Could Save Your Life Lifejackets are essential safety equipment fo …16th Apr 2025 -
Don't let your valuables sink
If you’re gearing up for some aquatic adventures, don’t let your valuables sink! These p …5th Jun 2024 -
Ireland on the Water Expo 2023
CH Marine is excited to be exhibiting at Ireland on the Water Expo, the brand new marine l …2nd Mar 2023