Is Your Life Jacket Safe?
The U.S. Coast Guard sets standards that life jackets, or Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs), must meet in order to be sold with a Coast Guard Approval Number. In order to obtain that approval, manufacturers submit samples to a testing laboratory where they are required to pass a rigorous set of tests.
- Donning and In-Water Performance (with 6 subjects in size XS, 12 subjects in each size S/M and L/XL)
- Dynamic Strength at 50 mph
- Water Retention (with maximum pocket area and minimum drainage)
- Flame with Tensile
- Body Tensile
- Zipper Tensile
- Shoulder Tensile
- Waist Belt Tensile
- Dimensional Spot Check
- Buoyancy and Distribution
- Hardware Secureness
- Pamphlet Strength of Attachment
- High- and Low-Temperature Test
- Seam Strength
The manufacturer has to submit multiple samples of the different sizes to the lab for the testing. Should a PFD fail any of the above tests, then it’s back to the drawing board to correct the problem and resubmit new samples for testing.
What’s more, after a model passes all the tests and receives its Coast Guard Approval Number, if the manufacturer decides to change any feature or material in the jacket, it has to go back through the testing process.
Boat Often & Boat Safe