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 becomes involved again and makes it clear to the person who has no obligation to take the life jacket for a service that it is his duty to service the life jacket.

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 operation. That means, if the manual override is activated, the lifejacket can only be inflated by pulling the release handle.

Important note: In certain applications it makes scenes to use a manually inflated lifejacket. Sometimes it is even safer than using a fully automatic inflatable lifejacket. But in Europe, lifejackets are classified as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). All PPE is approved and certified by an external, independent notified body. If a fully automatic lifejacket is modified to manual operation, this may effect the lifejacket approval. Therefore it is essential for your safety to follow the user instructions supplied with the manual override.

 

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 with the regulations or not, so in reality it is down to the 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 ticket (electronically), that you will be carrying lifejackets and also if possible obtain written confirmation to obviate confusion at Check-in or Security.

Furthermore the national air transport authorities ask customers not to berate their call-centre staff as the problem lies solely with the individual airlines and you will need to get their permission.

 

The relevant IATA guidance is as follows

A. 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 applied 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.

 

For full details see

• IATA Dangerous Goods Regulations; 57th edition, published 1st January 2016, Section 2.3.
• USA TSA: Prohibited Items | Transportation Security Administration
• FAA: Hazardous Materials Carried by Passengers and Crewmembers, November 25, 2015
• United States Sailing Association: Traveling with your PFD

It is also advisable to remove any CO₂ cylinder from its firing head prior to checking in or passing through customs.