FAQ – Lifejackets

Do you have any questions about our lifejackets? Then this is the right place to find answers.

Lifejackets

Choosing the right lifejacket for children

Welche Rettungsweste ist für mein Kind die richtige? Worauf muss ich bei Kinderrettungswesten achten? Sind Kinderfeststoffwesten nicht ausreichend? Immerhin sind diese quasi wartungsfrei, können fast nicht kaputt gespielt werden und sind zudem günstiger in der Anschaffung.

Bei der Auswahl der richtigen Rettungsweste für Ihr Kind sollten Sie zunächst einige Grundsätze zum Verhalten von Kindern im Wasser sowie deren Anatomie wissen, auf die wir hinweisen wollen:

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My kid is one year old, which lifejacket do you recommend? ( Inflatable / Inherent buoyancy )

This is one of the most difficult decisions. Our inflatable lifejackets are suitable from a body weight of 35 lbs. (15 kg) upwards but are a problem when a child wearing nappies falls into the water.It goes without saying that this is also true of inherent buoyancy lifejackets, which we have in our programme from […]

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How do I have to store my lifejacket?

Several possibilities: While sailing: Ready for use, or even better, always on the man/woman. A lot of accidents happen when peeing. After sailing: dry, in the dark and not too warm or too cold.

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Is one obliged to have one´s lifejacket serviced?

If we had our say, yes. If you had the final say, that ought to be the case, too. If we go by legislation, the law is keeping out of it in this case. But if there has been an accident which was due to a lifejacket not having been serviced, then the law becomes […]

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My life jacket has never been used and looks like new. Can I now use it without any worries after 15 years?

If you use a life jacket which is that old, you must always be aware of the possibility of failure of the inflation device or bursting of the buoyancy chamber due to OLD AGE. For safety reasons, we must suggest that you replace your life jacket. After such a long time, we also refuse to […]

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Can I use any kind of cartridge for a SECUMATIC 3001 S?

No, that is not possible. Only specific SECUMAR cartridges with very exact volume measurements are suitable for SECUMAR life jackets. Any other cartridges might not sufficiently fill the chamber or, on the other hand, they might burst the chamber.

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Why does the life jacket only have one D-ring?

Sometimes a lesser quantity is better. One D-Ring gives additional safety because you are always secured when you hook on to this one ring. With two-ring systems there is a danger that in the heat of the moment one only hooks on to one ring and the system is then dysfunctional because it is not […]

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What purpose does the back mesh part serve?

To enable you to don the life jacket more easily. To give better distribution of forces on the shoulders and when the harness is under tension. It adds to your comfort in wearing the life jacket.

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Will the dog’s vest also save my cat?

If your cat is prepared to wear one, then a vest like that may be quite helpful. Our dogs' vests were designed so that dogs, but cats too, could be grabbed hold of IN the water. To pick them up by their fur would be fairly impossible.

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Will I be able to get into a life raft at all in my inflated 275 N life jacket which is so bulky?

It is always difficult to get into a life raft. However, there are entry ramps for greatly improved entry. If there is an entrance which is large enough, then it should be possible even for people who are not practised in doing so to enter.

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What is a Newton?

A Newton is a unit in which buoyancy is measured.150 N (Newton) is approx 15 kg or approx 15 Liter.

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Why do you have blue and dark-coloured life jackets? They can’t be seen very well in water, can they?

We also have life jackets in red, silver, grey and also rainbow-coloured colours. What is important is that the inflated life jacket is in the international signalling colour orange or yellow. This is the case with all of the SECUMAR life jackets.

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I have never used my life jacket, why should I have it serviced?

Servicing is tremendously important. Through this servicing and care, the lifetime of the life jacket will be prolonged and the safety of the product increased. There are gaskets in the inflation device which have to be renewed. These age too. The triggering forces have to be tested. The cartridges are tested for hairline cracks. The […]

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My child is one year old, which life jacket do you recommend? ( Inflatable / Inherent buoyancy )

This is one of the most difficult decisions. Our inflatable life jackets are suitable from a body weight of 35 lbs. (15 kg) upwards but are a problem when a child wearing nappies falls into the water.It goes without saying that this is also true of inherent buoyancy life jackets, which we have in our […]

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Can´t I buy the life jacket for my son a little bit bigger, then he can grow into it ? (instead of Mini- Junior, or Junior- Survival for adults)

We would strongly advise against doing so. This has to do with the circumference of a child's neck. If a child wears an adult's life jacket, the child will slip down inside the buoyancy chamber. The child's head will not be far enough above the surface of the water.

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Can I switch off the automatic inflation device when I am taking part in paddling sports, and switch it back on again when I go sailling?

Yes, you can, as long as your life jacket is fitted with a SECUMATIC 3001 S or 4001 S type of inflation device. We carry a manual override for both of these inflation devices in our range. Function: If the manual override is inserted, the function of the automatic inflation device is restricted to semi-automatic […]

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I go sailing and my weight is over 200 lbs. ( 90 kg ), which life jacket do I need ?

Your weight is only of marginal interest to us. What is important is what kind of clothing you are going to be wearing. In most cases today, we recommend life jackets with 275 Newton. We do this for the following reasons: As a rule, a life jacket has a life time of 10 to 15 […]

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How long do the emergency life jacket lights shine for?

There are several variations of emergency life jacket lights. The SECUMAR WAB-MX 8 shines for 8 hrs with an intensity of 0.75 candelas. The SECUMAR WAB H12 shines for 12 hrs.

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Can I carry out the service myself?

To check the buoyancy chamber and the seams definitely makes sense. You should always do that before a sailing trip. You cannot service the inflation device yourself because you have not got the appropriate tools and spare parts. For this you would require the equipment which a service station has .

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How long is the life time of a life jacket?

The average life time is 10 years. After that life jackets are only serviced by us at yearly intervals. When a life jacket reaches an age of 15 years, no further service is carried out.

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Can the life jacket be involuntarily inflated by rain and spray water?

No. It can however inflate prematurely if the life jacket has been exposed to high humidity over a lengthy period of time. Then it can happen that the life jacket inflates on a beautiful summer's day. The way around this:after heavy rain or after a sailing trip, replace the tablet in the inflation device.

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How do I have to store my life jacket?

Several possibilities: While sailing: Ready for use, or even better, always on the man/woman. A lot of accidents happen when peeing. After sailing: dry, in the dark and not too warm or too cold.

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What does Duo Protect mean?

Duo Protect system is an inner protection for the buoyancy chamber against damage, which has a self-sealing functionality for the buoyancy chamber. Inside the swim chamber is another airtight stretch laminate so that if the outer skin (2) is punctured the internal gas pressure will force the inner skin (1) to overlap the hole and […]

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What is the difference between the life jackets which are available from EUR 50,-?

There is no difference. They are all the same. Certified in accordance with EN, manufactured by SECUMAR. They are for occasional use, ought to be serviced annually and have a life expectancy of 5 years.

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Can I have my life jacket fitted with a spray hood / a lifejacket light later?

Each life jacket in the SECUMAR SURVIVAL series can be fitted with a spray hood and an emergency life jacket light at some later stage. You can do this yourself with the Duo Protect life jackets. We will gladly do it for you in the case of the older Survival models.

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Where can one do safety training?

At the Navy training school in Neustadt, Germany (cruiser department).

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Is one obliged to have one’s life jacket serviced?

If we had our say, yes. If you had the final say, that ought to be the case, too. If we go by legislation, the law is keeping out of it in this case. But if there has been an accident which was due to a life jacket not having been serviced, then the law […]

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Can I take my inflatable lifejacket on a plane?

Yes you can. The IATA (International Air Transport Association) regulations allow for two inflatable type lifejackets, plus two replacement CO2 cylinders to be carried in either hand or checked-in baggage. However, the authorities have left the final decision to individual airlines who have then deferred to each individual flight captain as to whether they comply […]

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How to buy SECUMAR products?

Lifejackets should not be bought off the rack. They need to fit the for the purpose and the person. As this requires consultation, SECUMAR products are exclusively sold through authorized dealers. To find a store near you that carries SECUMAR products, first select your country, then select by postal code or region. Or contact us.

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