Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Why must I have my lifejacket Serviced?  

We advise and recommend servicing your stormy lifejacket to ensure its viability and safe condition. It is mandatory that inflatable lifejackets are serviced to the manufacturers’ recommendation and this differs from state to state. Recreational boating safety regulations differ for each state and territory so for information relevant to you, refer to information supplied by the local marine authority. Lifejackets do deteriorate with salt corrosion, sun and moisture so it is best to keep them in their optimal condition.

 2.   Can I carry out a service myself?

No, however you should always check your lifejacket before using:

• ·         blow it up and check for leaks 
• ·         see that the CO² cylinder hasn’t been pierced and isn’t corroded
• ·         and check that the water activated valve is still current and viable        

To service the lifejacket, we recommend that an accredited service agent, with the required equipment and experience does this and issues a compliance certificate that extends your warranty and ensures your safety.

3.   I have never used my lifejacket, should it still get serviced?

 Yes, it is important to have your lifejacket serviced as it prolongs the lifetime and safety of the product. All components of the life jacket are inspected or tested and a Compliance Certificate is issued to state that fact and the 5 year factory warranty is validated.

4.  My lifejacket is 15 years old and hasn’t been used, will it be OK to use?

No, you must be aware that a lifejacket that is 15 years old could fail due to old age. The fabric may be UV affected, faded and weakened if it has been exposed over an extended period of time. For safety reasons, we must suggest that you replace your lifejacket as we will refuse to service that jacket.

5.  What does a Service consist of?

A Service consists of:-

• ·         Thorough inspection of the general condition of the lifejacket
• ·         Testing of the inflation chamber for airtightness
• ·         Inspection of the inflation system –CO², valve head, o rings and cartridge
• ·         Inspecting Harness for wear and correct installation and buckles and straps
• ·         Washing of the outer if requested
• ·         Small repairs to the outer if required
• ·         Repacking and rearming  

6.  How often should I service my lifejacket?

We advise and recommend that you service your lifejacket every 2 years (in normal leisure applications) at the Stormy factory or at an authorised Stormy Servicing Agent listed on the website.  In the case of intensive or professional or commercial use, an annual service is recommended. It is advisable to have a service if your lifejacket has been used in an overboard incident.

7.  How do I store my lifejacket?

Just wear it, on or around water because accidents can happen at any time, and when not in use; store your lifejacket in a place that’s temperate, dry and away from light.

8.  How do I care for and clean my life Vest?

Check your lifejacket for rips, tears or any damage and make sure that zips, straps and hardware function well. There should be no mildew odour or any deterioration that would hamper the function of your PFD. Remove the water activated cartridge and rinse the salt off the jacket with a fresh water hose or with warm water and some washing detergent.   Rinse thoroughly and dry thoroughly away from direct sunlight (this will prolong the life of the jacket). Do not machine wash or Tumble dry! Never try to speed the drying time by placing it on a radiator, heater or any direct heat source. Replace the water activated cartridge and reset the jacket ready for next use. It isn’t a good idea to leave your lifejacket on board for long periods of time when not in use. They function best when stowed in a well- ventilated, dry place.  Never use your lifejacket as a cushion. Have your lifejacket serviced if it is due and check that your PFD is functioning correctly at the beginning of each boating season to make sure that you are within the law.

9.  What is the life span of a lifejacket?

7 years is the accepted lifespan of an inflatable lifejacket that is serviced regularly and well maintained. 10 years would be the maximum lifespan and it should be replaced.

10.  How can I prevent Mildew on my Lifejacket?

Mildew will only appear on lifejackets that are stored damp or kept in a damp conditions and yellow colours are particularly susceptible to mildew because of the chemical composition of the dye. Proper care will prevent this condition.

11.  Can I replace my CO² with any size CO²?

No! The correct CO² cylinder size is printed inside the pocket of your Stormy inflatable jacket and vest or on the instruction manual and it is important to replace with the same size CO².

The rearming kits are supplied by Stormy and are available on line or at recommended suppliers. A smaller cylinder will not give the required amount of buoyancy to float you correctly to the standard promised for that particular lifejacket or with a larger CO², it will over inflate and damage the inflation chamber.

12.  Can I use my CO² more than once?

No. The CO² and the water activated cartridge are one use only. They both need to be replaced if they have been deployed. Always check that the Cylinder hasn’t been pierced before wearing and that the green indicator is in position at the bottom of the W/A cartridge.

13.  What type of lifejacket should I get?

Choosing the right PFD (Personal Flotation Device) is important and the choices depend on the buoyancy level, type of water activity and expected conditions.

Comfort is an important factor because a lifejacket that’s easy to wear will be worn, not stowed. Make sure that the adjustments suit your size and if you intend wearing wet weather clothing underneath, you may want to consider a lifejacket with higher buoyancy as the air trapped in this type of clothing may have bearing on the flotation angle. For sailing, you may choose a lifejacket with inbuilt harness for a convenient and practical option.

The Hybrid Skier jacket is purpose built for water ski racing and has 100 Newtons of water activated buoyancy and 50 Newtons of inherent buoyancy. Check out the website for more information on individual Lifejackets.

14.  How many lifejackets do I need on board?

You must have one lifejacket for every member on board which includes children.

15.  What is the difference between 100N, 150N and 275N?

               50 Newtons – Intended for use by those who are competent swimmers

             100 Newton – Intended for those who may need to wait for rescue but will do so in a safe           position in sheltered waters.

             150 Newtons – General off shore and rough weather use. It will turn an unconscious      person into a safe position.

             275 Newtons – Offshore, for use by people carrying significant tools and clothing.

16.  What does Newton buoyancy mean?

Newton buoyancy is a measurement that relates to the amount of force or upthrust provided by a lifejacket in the water.

             1 Newton is approximately 1 tenth of a Kilo ( or 100 grams), therefore;

            50N buoyancy aid will give approximately 5kgs of uplift or negative weight in the water.  

          100N lifejacket will give approximately 10kgs of additional uplift in water,

          150N lifejacket will give approximately 15kgs of additional uplift in water and

          275N lifejacket will give approximately 27.5kgs of additional uplift in water.

17.  How long is my Stormy guaranteed for?

Stormy issue a Warranty with every lifejacket for 5 years that is subject to registering your lifejacket online at www.stormy lifejackets.com or by returning the warranty card at the back of your lifejacket instruction booklet. We keep the details and this record is useful in cases of loss or damage and future servicing.

 We will also send a newsletter to keep you abreast of any news and changes in the lifejacket world.

18.  How often do I have change the parts of my lifejacket?

The life span or replacement on parts is as follows;

          UML water activated cartridge: is for 3 years

          CO² Cylinder: 5 years (however they need to be replaced if they have been used or if they are corroded or damaged in any way.)

          SOLAS light: 5 years

          They will all be checked during servicing.

19.  Do I have to wear the crutch strap?

Yes, when a crutch strap is supplied with a life jacket it is advisable to wear it as it will hold the inflation in the correct position for maximum buoyancy and support of the wearer in the water. Pass the crotch strap or leg straps from the back of the lifejacket, through and between the legs to connect with corresponding buckle parts at the front of the lifejacket. These should be clipped in place and adjusted to a comfortable fit.

20.  How important is the Spray hood?

It is very important in an offshore, in water situation as the spray hood covers the face and all airways and prevents drowning that can occur when fine water droplets are inhaled from the wind and wave action and there is also degree of thermal protection and comfort for the wearer.

21.  Is it possible to purchase rearming parts like gas cylinder and Water activated cartridge?

Yes. They are available on line from our website www.stormylifejackets.com  and from outlets listed on that website. It is important to use our spare parts to keep our warranty valid.

22.  I have a lifejacket with a harness, do I have them both serviced?

Yes. They will both be checked as part of the servicing procedure.

23.  How do I care for my Harness?

A safety harness is an important piece of safety equipment and it can lose some of its original qualities without any obvious visible signs. It is therefore essential that you take care to maintain your harness in good condition.

• ·         Rinse in fresh water after use
• ·         Check the stitching regularly
• ·         Never store in a damp locker
• ·         Never use a harness for any other purpose than that which it was designed for

• ·         Discard and replace a harness that is showing evidence of wear and tear or if     it has been submitted to a heavy tension under load 

                  Excessive exposure to UV light rays will damage your harness

24.  Does the weight of a heavier person require a different type of lifejacket or buoyancy?

Not necessarily. Generally speaking larger people have more inherent buoyancy in their own bodies and a greater lung capacity so they may not need extra buoyancy. It is important to try your lifejacket in the water to understand in practice how it works on your body type. The self-righting capacity of a smaller buoyancy may be an issue with a very large person and it is more likely for a very tall, thin and athletic person to require more buoyancy.

25.  Can the harness in a Sailing vest be used for rescue by a helicopter?

The Deck Safety Harness is designed only for use with attachment to a safety line on deck and is not designed or approved for lifting purposes.

26. What it the main purpose of a lifejacket?

 The main protective factor is that the lifejacket will inflate automatically on emersion in water and bring you into a position where your face and head are above the water even in an unconscious state. It will support your head and upper body and minimise the risk of drowning.

27.  My Automatic Lifejacket went off when it was in my car boot, what happened?

Unexpected inflation can occur with automatic inflatables. These lifejackets contain a ‘water soluble’ substance which reacts to water and causes the mechanism to fire.  Under certain conditions where there is excessive vibration and improper storage conditions such as high humidity or dampness, this can occur unfortunately. It is imperative that these lifejackets are stored in a cool, dry, well- ventilated area, away from direct sunlight.

28.  What should I be looking for when fitting my child with a lifejacket?

Childrens PFD’s are sized according to weight range and chest size. Weigh your child and measure the child around the chest, up under the arms. Whenever possible try the lifejacket on the child in the store before purchase. The lifejacket needs to be comfortably snug and to check for a good fit, pick the child up by the shoulders of the PFD and the child’s chin and ears will not slip through if it is correctly fitted.

It would be wise to test the lifejacket in the water to ascertain its performance on your child and be aware that the PFD may not perform the same way in swift or rough waters as in calm water. The Australian standard for babies and small children is for an inherently buoyant lifejacket which will keep the head and upper torso supported in the water with a crotch strap and adjustment belts to keep the child positioned correctly in the jacket.

29.  How do I properly fit a life Vest?

You need the lifejacket to be comfortable but not too loose. There needs to be a bit of room in the STORMY jacket and vest styles to accommodate the inflation chamber and that extra size is reflected in the chest advice on the size label.  Try on the various styles till you find one that feels right. You need to adjust any belts or harness to fit snug but not tight.

A Harness is a personal piece of equipment and the straps must be perfectly fitted to your body so adjust it and familiarise yourself with every strap and buckle and how they work in your lifejacket.

30.  Can I take my life jacket on a plane?

Yes. The IATA (International Air Transport  Association) regulations allow two inflatable type lifejackets, plus two replacement CO² cylinders to be carried in either hand or checked-in luggage.

However, the authorities have left the final decision to individual airlines who have then deferred to each individual flight captain and the airport security staff, if they feel there is a security threat, to refuse to take the lifejackets.

In order to overcome this, you should notify the airline when booking the ticket so it can be entered into the computer log, that you will be carrying lifejackets and also if possible, obtain written confirmation to obviate confusion at Security

The relevant IATA guidance is as follows:

 Relevant IATA Dangerous Goods by Air Regulations

IATA DG regulations state that a lifejacket fitted with no more than 2 cylinders and no more than 2 spare cartridges may be carried in carry –on or checked baggage with the approval of the aircraft operator. Although most individual airlines state their policies on carriage of cylinders on their websites, these policies are not being followed consistently by their staff.

Failure to declare hazardous material to the airline is a criminal offence. Even if airline policy is to accept the specific IATA guidance, any passenger may be denied boarding unless all cylinders have been removed from baggage and confiscated.

31.  What Standards do my Stormy lifejacket meet

AS4758 Australian Standard for lifejackets

ISO12402-3 International Standard for lifejackets

ISO12401 International Standard for Deck Safety Harness

IO12402-8 International Standard for the Spray hood