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Woman at the helm of a launch wearing a Besto inflatable lifejacket
Service & maintenance

How do I look after my Besto lifejacket or buoyancy aid?

Your lifejacket or buoyancy aid needs regular maintenance, and it will only work effectively if it gets it.

Never repair your lifejacket yourself. Take it to your nearest Besto dealer or contact Besto.

General

A lifejacket is only effective if:

  • you have chosen a product in the right category for your area of use or activity;
  • you have chosen the right size for the wearer's weight;
  • you take your clothing into account when buying: heavy, protective and/or waterproof clothing can affect how well the lifejacket works;
  • you do a pre-wear check or test before use (teach children how to float and turn in this lifejacket);
  • you put on, wear and maintain the lifejacket according to the instructions in the user manual;
  • you wear a lifejacket every time there is a risk of ending up in the water;
  • you never wear the lifejacket under your clothing or jacket, but always on top.

Please note: lifejackets and buoyancy aids reduce the risk of drowning, but cannot guarantee rescue.

Maintenance by type

Which lifejacket do you have?

Choose your type of lifejacket for specific information on use and maintenance.

Foam lifejacketsPutting on, storing, maintaining and checking your foam lifejacket.Go to foam lifejackets → Inflatable lifejacketsService intervals, pre-wear check, manuals and rearm kits.Go to inflatable lifejackets →
Foam lifejackets

Using and maintaining your foam lifejacket

General guidelines for the use, storage, maintenance and checking of your buoyancy aid or lifejacket.

Putting it on

Put the lifejacket on over your head or like a jacket, with the logo, zip and/or reflective strips facing forwards. Fasten the zip and fasteners, if fitted. Adjust the strap(s) using the buckle(s) until the lifejacket fits snugly against your body. Tie any neck straps and/or cords until they fit closely to the body. Pass any crotch strap(s) between your legs (or, for babies, the nappy pants) and adjust them with the buckle or slider. Tuck away any excess strap ends safely.

Storage and maintenance
  • Cleaning: if you have used the lifejacket at sea, rinse it with fresh water first.
  • Drying: allow wet lifejackets to dry thoroughly before storing them. Do not place the lifejacket on or near a heat source; simply hang it up to dry.
  • Storage: in a dry, dark place. Storage and operating conditions: -30 °C to +60 °C.
  • Repairs: do not carry out any repairs or modifications yourself. If the lifejacket is damaged, send it for repair to your nearest dealer or to the shop where you bought it.

The maximum service life of a foam lifejacket is 15 years.

Checking

Try out the lifejacket in the water before using it for the first time, to check that it works properly and to get used to it. Check the lifejacket for damage every time before use, and check that it works correctly at least once a year.

Notes
  • 100N/150N: do not wear with a safety harness. This can damage the lifejacket.
  • Buoyant clothing and waterproof clothing can affect how the lifejacket works.
  • Do not wear disposable nappies; they can interfere with how the lifejacket works.
Take care with small children

Because of the way body weight is distributed in small children, they may still end up floating face down in the water. A relatively heavy head, nappies and the like can put the child in the wrong floating position. So teach your child how to float and turn in this lifejacket.

Other tips
  • Do not use the lifejacket as a pillow.
  • Know where the safety whistle is.
  • Check the expiry date of the light, if fitted.

Download the complete user manual (PDF)

Inflatable lifejackets

Servicing and maintaining your inflatable lifejacket

All inflatable lifejackets need regular servicing. The intervals apply from the date of purchase and within the expiry date of the bobbin.

  • SOLAS double-chamber lifejacketsEvery year

    Annual service at an authorised service station.

  • ISO single-chamber lifejacketsAt least every 2 years

    For extreme, intensive or professional use, Besto recommends every year.

  • Bobbin / cartridge / bobbinReplace every 2 years

    For professional, extreme or intensive use, every year.

Service life with normal use: 10 years. With an annual service by the manufacturer, you can extend the service life by a further 5 years.

  • The last service is shown on the certificate/checklist and on the information label in the lifejacket. The next service date is shown on the service sticker on the outside of the lifejacket.
  • Have the lifejacket serviced at an authorised service station, within one month before or after the next service date.

Pre-wear check

Carry out a pre-wear check regularly and before each use, to make sure your lifejacket is ready for use. Check the indicators on the mechanism, the cylinder (full and hand-tight) and the general condition of the lifejacket.

Pre-wear check step by step for each system (brochure) →

How do they work?

It is important to know exactly how an inflatable lifejacket works and what options are available.

See how an inflatable lifejacket is constructed (brochure) →

Putting on, using, maintaining and packing

After use, you can rearm and refold the lifejacket yourself. Read the general user manual and the specific user manual for your lifejacket or rearm kit carefully. Is the lifejacket damaged? Then contact an authorised service station or Besto.

User manual for ISO PPE lifejackets
User manual for SOLAS lifejackets
Rearm kit instructions for after use

Choose the brand of your kit below. You can also find all rearm kits with article numbers in the Leisure brochure (p. 56).

Halkey Roberts

Hammar

United Moulders – CXI Pro Sensor

United Moulders – Elite

United Moulders – MK5

Instructions for separate crotch straps, lights, spray hoods and more

All accessories for inflatable lifejackets with article numbers: Leisure brochure, p. 54.

Besto Service Stations

Is your inflatable lifejacket due a service?

Find an authorised Besto service station near you for its periodic service.

Find a service station
Besto Collection Points

Drop off your lifejacket for a service

You can drop off your lifejacket at these collection points. They will make sure it gets to a Besto Service Station.

Belgium

The Netherlands

Questions about maintenance or servicing?

Get in touch · +31 (0)522 27 81 40 · info@bestolifesaver.com

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