On Mon, 03 Jan 2005 21:30:23 +0100, Stig Arne Bye
wrote:

seanny_boy wrote:

Have look through the website as you have suggested. The website did
stated the type but does not have the required floatation hours for
each type.


Just curious...

Exactly what do you mean with "required floatation hours"?

First, in the more than 20 years I've been working with different kind
of rescue equipment, I have never seen any PFD or similar equipment with
specified flotation hours.
Basically, there are two main types of PFD's:
a) Rigid (non-inflatable) PFD's using some kind of flotation foam,
e.g. Airex(R) or similar.
b) Inflatable PFD's using CO2 cartridges.
Rigid PFD's may keep a person afloat for virtually unlimited time as
long as the PFD itself is not damaged in any way, while inflatable PFD's
may keep a person afloat as long as the PFD is inflated, i.e. not
leaking, not punctured etc.

Second, no PFD will guarantee survival even if "flotation hours" were
specified.
Basically, the two most common reasons for not surviving a boating
accident is drowning and hypothermia. A PFD is designed to keep a
person afloat to prevent drowning, but is generally NOT designed to
prevent hypothermia (which require survival suits or similar equipment).
Dependent on water temperature and other factors, hypothermia may in
worst case occure after only a few minutes, and it's therefore almost
impossible to specify a "survival time" when using a PFD.

The Code of Federal Regulations (160.052-7) specifies a test in which
the inserts of any foam cored PFD must be submerged for a minimum of
24 hours in which they must maintain buoyancy.

So, in a sense, they are guaranteed for 24 hours.

Later,

Tom