How do you verify a life jacket/PFD is still serviceable?

How do you verify a life jacket/PFD is still serviceable?

• A. Check for tears, buoyancy loss, worn straps, broken buckles, and check labeling/date; replace if damaged.
• B. Weigh the PFD to ensure it meets a standard weight.
• C. Inspect only the color for fading.
• D. Use the PFD briefly in a test dive.

Answer: (A)

Verifying a life jacket or PFD is still serviceable means doing a careful physical and functional check of its condition. Look for tears or frayed seams in the fabric, signs of wear on the straps, and any broken or sticking buckles. Check the labeling and the date to confirm it’s within its usable life or hasn’t been recalled. Most important, assess buoyancy: the foam inside should still be intact and provide proper flotation; if the PFD feels waterlogged, compressed, or you notice a reduction in buoyancy, it should be replaced. If any of these issues are present, the PFD isn’t serviceable. That’s why the best approach is to perform this comprehensive check—tears, buoyancy loss, worn straps, broken buckles, and labeling/date—and replace if damaged. The other options don’t reliably indicate safety: weighing the PFD doesn’t measure buoyancy, color fading isn’t a trustworthy indicator of integrity, and a brief test dive isn’t an appropriate or safe way to assess suitability.

Verifying a life jacket or PFD is still serviceable means doing a careful physical and functional check of its condition. Look for tears or frayed seams in the fabric, signs of wear on the straps, and any broken or sticking buckles. Check the labeling and the date to confirm it’s within its usable life or hasn’t been recalled. Most important, assess buoyancy: the foam inside should still be intact and provide proper flotation; if the PFD feels waterlogged, compressed, or you notice a reduction in buoyancy, it should be replaced. If any of these issues are present, the PFD isn’t serviceable.

That’s why the best approach is to perform this comprehensive check—tears, buoyancy loss, worn straps, broken buckles, and labeling/date—and replace if damaged. The other options don’t reliably indicate safety: weighing the PFD doesn’t measure buoyancy, color fading isn’t a trustworthy indicator of integrity, and a brief test dive isn’t an appropriate or safe way to assess suitability.