PFD Lifespan

A 10 buck garage sale life jacket (in good shape) will float you just as well as a high dollar kayak specific jacket.

Do PFD's have a time based limit on them?  I recall something about the floating material wearing out over time and not maintaining it's rated buoyancy.  Anyone know for sure?

-Allen

I don't know of a time limit. Likespan is going to be a factor of materials and exposure to degrading factors. If it's kept clean, dry and out of UV exposure, a PFD should last 20 or more years, IMO.

I do remember old kapok flotation would degrade relatively quickly.

I don't know of a time limit. Likespan is going to be a factor of materials and exposure to degrading factors. If it's kept clean, dry and out of UV exposure, a PFD should last 20 or more years, IMO.

I do remember old kapok flotation would degrade relatively quickly.

Like in the garage?

From http://www.seakayakermag.com/2008/08e-newsletters/June/pdf-questions.htm

How long is the useful life of a PFD? What can you do to prolong it and how do you know it's time to replace it?

The lifespan of a PFD is dependent upon the environment it was used in, the materials it’s made of and how well it’s taken care of. For example, a 500 Denier Cordura fabric will outlast a 200 Denier nylon by leaps and bounds. Also, chemical foams deteriorate quite quickly while organic materials such as Kapok can last for decades. It is best to rinse your PFD in fresh water after use, dry it thoroughly and store it in a cool, dry environment away from the sun.

--Philip Curry, Astral Buoyancy
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A PFD can last someone many years, but it truly depends on how well the owner takes care of it. Leaving it outside in the elements (sun, rain, snow, and extreme temperatures) can degrade the PFD much faster than rinsing it off with clean water after each use and storing it indoors in a breathable container. Don’t put it in an airtight container or a plastic bag. It needs air circulation so it can dry thoroughly. Another key factor is compression. Do not sit or store your PFD under heavy items as this can compromise the foam’s integrity by crushing the small air bubbles within the foam which directly affects buoyancy of your PFD.

A PFD should last anywhere from 4-10 years depending on how frequently it is used and in what environmental elements, how well it is taken care of and cleaned, and how durable the materials are that were used to create it. All materials (foam and fabrics) break down over time, so it’s important to check your PFD yearly to determine if it’s still structurally sound. You can also test the buoyancy by putting it on and submersing yourself. Your PFD should keep your upper shoulders out of the water. If they are under the water, then it is time to invest in a new PFD.

--Robin Skillings, Extrasport/Johnson Outdoors
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It will vary depending upon how the PFD is stored and how often it is used. Wear and tear, UV exposure, and mildew are the biggest threats to PFD longevity. If you paddle a lot, keep an eye on any wear spots that develop over time. Abrasion is a bigger enemy of PFDs than are impacts. Abrasion will weaken the threads of the fabric as well as the sewing used to assemble the vest. UV exposure will also deteriorate the shell materials and the stitching so avoid storing the PFD in direct sunlight. Never let your PFD grow moldy in the trunk of your car or in your gear bag. This will result in mildew which is also harmful to the integrity of your vest's materials, not to mention unsightly and foul smelling.

--Buff Grubb, Harmony
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As it is with any piece of equipment, the useful life of a PFD is largely dependent on how it’s treated. Frequently check buckles for cracks and webbing and fabric for wear and tear. Allowing the vest to dry out thoroughly between uses and storage in a dry place with no heavy stuff sitting on top of it will keep it from meeting an untimely end. While the minimum required buoyancy for approved devices does take into account the loss of buoyancy over time, the loss of buoyancy is often the deciding factor in determining when a vest’s useful life is over. As a vest ages, it’s important to take a swim once in a while to confirm that it provides adequate total buoyancy and distribution of buoyancy. Both are highly subjective criteria, but if you feel that it doesn’t provide one and/or the other, it’s time to get a new vest.

--Adam Knoeller, Kokatat
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A PFD can last anywhere from 2 to 10-plus years depending upon usage. A PFD should be discontinued from use when it doesn’t provide appropriate flotation. A good test before use, if your PFD is questionable, is to jump into the water and make sure the jacket will hold you up to chest level out of the water. In addition, if you see signs of break down like tearing seams or holes, you might want to consider a new jacket, and by that time you’ll want a new one anyway with all of the fun new styles and colors available every year! UV radiation causes deterioration of PFD fabrics. Regularly using a material sunscreen like 303 Aerospace Protectant will prolong a jacket’s life. Rinse jackets with fresh water after use and dry thoroughly before storing. Use a mild soap or detergent to clean soiled jackets.

--NRS
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The best guidelines are in the Coast Guard pamphlet that comes with every jacket when you buy it. Take a moment to read it – most people don’t bother. As to the actual useful life of a PFD, it varies tremendously. It’s all about how you treat it.

It helps to rinse your jacket in fresh water after use. And you don’t have to be paddling on the ocean to get corrosive salt water on the fabric – sweat is pretty salty, too. So rinse and hang it up to thoroughly dry. A damp PFD dumped in the corner of your garage or left in a dry bag is going to have a short useful life. Annually, or more often if you use your PFD a lot, you’ll want to check for rips, tears, open seams, or broken fasteners. Do not sit or kneel on it, either in the boat, during your lunch stop, or around the campfire. Eventually you are going to reduce the buoyancy by crushing the foam. And don’t run over it with your car!

For most paddlers a well cared for PFD can last a long, long time. They might not look very fancy or offer anywhere near the kind of comfort you can get from newer vests, but they are good to have around as a spare. At least, that’s what I tell my wife when we do spring cleaning – it’s hard to throw out a still useful PFD. I’d love to paddle so much that I’m able to wear one out someday!

--Gordon Colby, Palm/MTI
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Bump because I thought this may be beneficial as we're all getting our stuff out prepping for the season.

My test is put on PFD ... run off end of dock. If you float you are good to go. If you sink it is time for a new PFD.

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My test is put on PFD ... run off end of dock. If you float you are good to go. If you sink it is time for a new PFD.

That's actually what I got out of the article too:
if your PFD is questionable... jump into the water and make sure the jacket will hold you up to chest level out of the water.