Winter Storage Tips for Life Jackets

Picture it: Spring weather has arrived, and you and your family are getting ready for the first boating trip of the year! You have all been talking about it for the past week. The cooler is packed, your gear bag is loaded, and the boat is ready to go in the water. As you take out the life jackets, you notice the smell first. After simply throwing the life jackets in the garage last season, a moldy mildew smell took hold. The fabric has torn and the foam inside of the life jackets has hardened.

An amazing day on the water can be stopped in its tracks if you do not take the time to take proper care of your life jackets today. The Sea Tow Foundation wants to help you extend the life of your life jackets – so you do not need to buy a new one each season. Here are 5 tips  to consider regarding your life jacket care during the off-season. 

1. Make sure that your life jacket is stored in a cool, dry place away from the elements. There are many zippered pouches on the market that can help store your life jacket as well.
2. Allow the life jacket to fully dry in open air before storing it. This will help prevent the growth of mold and keep your life jacket in good shape before your next use.
3. Allow for adequate ventilation. As opposed to placing them in a box , try hanging your life jackets off the ground to help air circulate.
4. Do not place your life jacket direct in front of a heat source to dry. This can cause damage to the vinyl and plastic parts on the jacket.
5. Do not store your life jackets outdoors, or in areas that are not temperature controlled. A life jacket outdoors can be rained or snowed on, which doesn’t allow it to stay dry. And if a life jacket has any moisture in it and is stored in an unheated garage or shed, the foam could freeze if temperatures reach below freezing. Do not store inflatable life jackets and their cartridges in below zero temperatures. If you must store life jackets in an unheated area, make sure they are completely dry for at least a week inside the house and remove the CO cartridge from inflatable life jackets before they go into storage.

By taking a few simple steps to ensure that your life jacket is stored correctly now, you can help make sure that your life jacket will be ready for you when spring comes!

And remember, before putting on a life jacket, take a moment to inspect it. Is there anything broken or damaged? Is there mold or mildew? Are the bobbins and pins operating properly on your inflatable vest showing that it is properly recharged?

Where do you store your life jackets during the off-season? Let us know in the comments below.

If you found this article helpful or entertaining, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.