Life jacket shelf life

[Hightower]

I have a used life jacket that we no longer need and am wanting to move on. It's a buoyancy filled type that kids wear. Has the coller and crotch strap.

I was looking at the details printed inside so that I could write an ad and noticed that it said not to be used more than 10 years after manufacture which was in 1996. It seems in pretty good condition and be a shame to cut it up.

What does the RIBnet jury think?

[Boatnomad]

I have buoyancy jackets (adult+kids) as old and older,still seem like new.Have to dig them out and have a look at the labels now!
Shame to throw them out!

[The Black Pig]

My parents bought some helly Hanson life jackets forty five years ago for us kids and now my kids are wearing them, they are very in now

[Hightower]

As far as I know it has never seen the water (except rain) and lives in the garage when not in use. It could do with a little scrubbing to bring the brightness back to the outer material. I'll stick it in the ads section and see how I get on.

[treerat]

Float test it. Tie a weight to it, drop into a dustbin of water, if it passes then all is good. We used to do this with all the centre jackets once a year - I can't remember the weight size though. It was one of the ones with a handle on the top.

[m chappelow]

Just give it all a good tug around any zips or webbing if there is any , often with older ones the materiel around the stitching holes can deteriorate even though it may look ok .

[two stroke mick]

The weights with the handle on top are called a 56 for 56lbs or 4 stone.
see attached they were used for weighting hay
56 lb Cast Iron Weights - - Avery 56 lb weight


TSM

[willk]

Originally Posted by two stroke mick

The weights with the handle on top are called a 56 for 56lbs or 4 stone.
see attached they were used for weighting hay
56 lb Cast Iron Weights - - Avery 56 lb weight


TSM

There are quite a few smaller shop weights with handles TSM. The hardware bloke beside me is still using his