For on-water enthusiasts opting for a pre-owned lifejacket, it can be a smart financial decision. However, you must be knowledgeable in distinguishing high-quality choices from those that may not meet safety standards, ensuring they acquire a reliable life-saving device. We draw upon our vast expertise in maintaining these critical lifesavers to provide expert guidance on essential inspection criteria. We urge you to do your due diligence before picking up what you think is a bargain lifejacket.
Over the last few years, we've seen an increase in older, second-hand lifejackets sent to us for servicing. But many are unserviceable because they are either too old, damaged, or broken beyond repair.
It may sound obvious, but the first step in choosing the right lifejacket is determining whether it suits 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.
Another key factor to consider is whether the lifejacket operates manually or automatically. The inflation mechanism should be correct for your needs – do you have to pull the toggle to inflate, or will it inflate automatically when it gets wet?
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.
Inspection is critical before you buy a second-hand lifejacket or accept one as a gift. As the inflatable chamber is the key part of a lifejacket, it must be airtight. You can check this by blowing it up using the oral tube.
Inspecting the lifejacket before purchase is impossible when buying online, so asking questions and insisting on additional photographs is essential.
Of course, buying second-hand is not always the best option in the long term, but if you go down the used lifejacket route, inspect and inspect again and then get it serviced by an approved service station before using it.
How to inspect a second-hand lifejacket:
