How Long are Life Jackets Good For: Do life jacket Expire?

There is a lot to think about when buying any kind of life jacket. There are different styles, features, and materials that all have their own pros and cons, as well as important considerations like how long the life jacket will last.

People struggle with what type of life jacket to buy because there are so many factors to consider. This article explains exactly how long a lifejacket is good for, the pros and cons of each type, and what you should look out for when making your purchase.

Is my life jacket expired? 

Life jackets don’t have expiration dates, but there are some factors to consider when determining when it is time to replace one. To begin with, when did you buy it and how often have you used it? When you’ve been using the same life jacket every weekend for two years, you probably need to replace it. Here are some testing criteria in case you’re not sure. 

Expiration test for life jackets at home

Testing a foam life jacket in the water is the easiest method of determining whether it has expired. 

Start the process by checking for wear or damage

The first thing you should do is examine your life jacket carefully. Look for tears, mould, the integrity of the stitching, and significant discoloration. If you observe any damage, it’s better to replace your life jacket immediately.

Next, Wear the life jacket and get some waist-deep water

If you have a foam life jacket is to put it on and make sure it fits comfortably. You can test your life jacket’s buoyancy by putting it on and wading out to chest deep water and attempting to float on your back. Keep your chin above water and breathe easily with your flotation device. 

Finally, Check flotation ability

Make sure the vest does not rise up over your shoulders. If the life jacket does not support you to float safely during the test, then it should be replaced. This problem is caused by the foam inside, which is no longer buoyant.

Make sure your children do the same as well, so that everyone is comfortable in their PFD and it is functional in the event of an emergency. 

Read Also: Expert Answer About How Long Can a Life Jacket Keep You Afloat?

How Long Will Your Life Jacket Last?

Inflatable life jackets are typically made from neoprene, which is synthetic rubber. Because of this, neoprene life jackets tend to last a long time, often lasting between five and 10 years.

However, after this time they will slowly begin to wear down, sometimes even developing small holes or tears. Because of this, it is important to replace a life jacket after half of its lifespan has passed, or when the user feels the need to.

You can check the manufacturer’s recommendations, but usually it is recommended to replace a life jacket after five to seven years.

All other life jackets are manufactured from natural materials and will break down over time, depending on the substance. This means that they will generally last between one and three years.

Read Also: How To Buy Life Jacket Accessories? – Helpful Information

When to Change the Life Jacket?

It is important to check your life jacket’s condition regularly. Especially if you are spending a lot of time in the water or wearing a jacket for a prolonged period of time.

May be you are using a life jacket that has small holes or tears in it. If this happens, you should replace your jacket since it may cause you to sink.

Additionally, you should also change your jacket if it is too damaged to be worn anymore, or if it has been washed too many times. When you change the life jacket, wash it first to prevent damage, then dry it with a towel.

Life Jacket Quick Check Chart

Still Good to Use!	Time to Change!
No rips	Tears or rips in materials
No tears	C02 indicates expired/red
Foam sturdy, not soggy	Foam compromised
CO2 still fully armed	Over 10 years old
Legible labels and coast-guard number
Less than 10 years old

Foam Type Life Jackets

These are typically made from polyethylene and are quite durable, often lasting up to five years. They are easy to clean and are resistant to tearing, so they can be easily washed in a machine.

Therefore, they must be worn sparingly for prolonged periods of time if they are breathable. They are also not waterproof and are not suitable for use in the ocean or saltwater. These are not suitable for use in freshwater.

The foam-type life jackets are compact and lightweight, making them ideal for carrying in a backpack. They are also easy to put on and take off, making them very convenient for wearing when needed.

All foam-type life jackets can be worn as regular jackets or as inflatable life jackets.

Neoprene life jackets are made from latex and are also made from synthetic rubber.

They are more comfortable than foam-type life jackets, but they have a short lifespan. They are not waterproof and are not resistant to tearing, so they can easily be torn when worn in the ocean or saltwater.

Inflatable Life Jackets

These are typically made from polyethylene and are quite durable, often lasting up to five years. They are easy to clean and are resistant to tearing, so they can be easily washed in a machine.

Inflatable life jacket can be used in fresh water and saltwater. Neoprene jackets are made from latex and are also made from synthetic rubber.

They are more comfortable than inflatable life jackets, but they have a short lifespan. They are not waterproof and are not resistant to tearing. So, they can easily be torn when worn in the ocean or saltwater.

Frequently Asked Question