Testing your inflatable life jacket is one of the most important (and fun) things you should do before going out on the water. If you’ve never used one before, you’ll want to get a hang of how everything works. Likewise, the best way to check the buoyancy of your PFD is to confirm that it floats.
Reasons to Test Your Inflatable Life Jacket
- Make sure it floats you comfortably and adequately for water conditions and optimum performance.
- Make sure it works to confirm product integrity. It should inflate quickly and easily without leakage.
- Learn how it works by arming and activating the CO2 inflation system, re-arming, and using the oral inflator tube.
How to test using the oral inflation tube
Testing your inflatable life jacket with the oral inflation tube is the most common way to test your vest and will not require any spare parts or re-arming kits. Orally inflating your vest is a great way to see how it inflates and floats you in the water without the need for replacement parts.
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Remove the CO2 cylinder to prevent inadvertent activation.
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Don the life jacket and enter shallow water deep enough to stand with your head above the surface. Weak swimmers should partially inflate the life jacket to support their ability to complete full inflation without touching the bottom. Note this level of inflation because it’s the minimum amount needed to safely use this device.
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Fully inflate the life jacket using the oral inflator.
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Attempt to float on your back or just slightly back of vertical. Your mouth should be above the water’s surface in a relaxed floating position. Note the effect of where you hold your arms and legs on how you float.
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Exit the water and deflate the life jacket using the oral inflator tube.
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Dry thoroughly, re-arm, and repack the life jacket.
Caution: If oral inflation is used, do NOT allow the chamber to be also automatically inflated. Remove the cylinder and bobbin to prevent inadvertent over-inflation which could result in damage to the life jacket.
How to Test using the automatic inflator
When testing using the automatic inflator, you will need a fully-armed life jacket and a replacement re-arming kit approved for your specific model. This is the most accurate representation of how your inflatable will perform in an emergency.
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Don the life jacket and enter shallow water deep enough to stand with your head above the surface. The life jacket should automatically inflate within seconds of the inflator being submerged.
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Attempt to float on your back or just slightly back of vertical. Your mouth should be above the water’s surface in a relaxed floating position. Note the effect of where you hold your arms and legs on how you float.
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Exit the water and remove the used CO2 cylinder and bobbin from the inflator.
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Deflate the life jacket using the oral inflator tube.
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Dry thoroughly, re-arm with the replacement re-arming kit you have on hand, and repack the life jacket.
HOW TO TEST USING THE MANUAL INFLATOR
When testing using the manual inflator, you will need a fully-armed life jacket and a replacement re-arming kit approved for your specific model.
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Don the life jacket and activate the inflation system by jerking firmly downward on the yellow manual pull cord.
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Enter shallow water deep enough to stand with your head above the surface.
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Attempt to float on your back or just slightly back of vertical. Your mouth should be above the water’s surface in a relaxed floating position. Note the effect of where you hold your arms and legs on how you float.
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Exit the water and remove the used CO2 cylinder.
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Deflate the life jacket using the oral inflator tube.
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Dry thoroughly, re-arm with the replacement re-arming kit you have on hand, and repack the life jacket.
How to Test your inflatable life jacket for air leaks
Your device may be inflated and submerged in water to check for leaks. If bubbles appear by the oral inflation valve, invert the black cap and tap the green spring. If bubbles continue to appear anywhere throughout the vest chamber, the device should be removed from service and replaced.
Additional Resources
Check out Bluestorm™ inflatable PFDs, rearming kits, and maintenance checklists for additional security on the water. Contact us with any questions.
