The importance of inspecting your second-hand lifejacket

On-water enthusiasts opting for a pre-owned lifejacket can be a smart financial decision.?

However, over the last few years, we've seen an increase in second-hand lifejackets sent to us for servicing. But many are unserviceable because they are either too old, damaged, or broken beyond repair.?

Before you pick up what you think is a bargain lifejacket, here are our key factors to consider to ensure the lifejacket works when you need it to:

• Does the lifejacket suit your planned activity? For example, you should ensure that you have the correct buoyancy for the type of clothes and equipment you will be wearing.
• Manual or automatic inflation? The inflation mechanism should be correct for your needs – for example, do you have to pull the toggle to inflate, or will it inflate automatically when it gets wet?
• When was the lifejacket last serviced? Understanding when an authorised service station last serviced the lifejacket is also necessary, as annual servicing is required for all commercial lifejackets and recommended for all leisure lifejackets. ?If there is no service record or service within the year, you must get it serviced before using it and factor this cost into your budget.
• Planning to buy online??Inspecting the lifejacket before purchase is impossible when buying online, so ask the buyer lots of questions and insist on additional photographs.

There are many benefits of buying a second-hand lifejacket such as reduced cost and less waste. But if you go down the used lifejacket route, inspect and inspect again and then get it serviced by an approved service station to ensure you stay #LifejacketSafe.

How to inspect a second-hand lifejacket:

1. Check the cover for any signs of damage, such as a rip or tear in the fabric
2. Inspect the zip to ensure there are no missing teeth
3. Fasten the buckles and check any adjustable straps to ensure they are working and that you can adjust them to fit you correctly
4. Look at the webbing to see if it's torn
5. If fitted with a light, check that it's working correctly
6. Check the cylinder to ensure it's in good condition
7. Look for any signs of rust or mould inside the lifejacket, which could mean the item will fail future servicing

For more information, visit our Crewsaver website.

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