Life Raft & Survival Equipment - Vacuum Packing Possible?
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I have a 4-person Rescue Pod in a valise that was last inspected in 2008. I was wondering if it could be vacuum packed at its inspection this year in order to get on a 3-year cycle as opposed to an annual cycle (primarily to avoid the shipping and re-shipping). Thanks.
SplashFL
03-06-2010, 06:33 PM
The manufacturer would be the one to best answer that.
jwo9958
03-15-2010, 08:35 AM
Sol,
Switlik has long held the idea that life rafts should be inspected annually and have never vacuum packed their life rafts. They hold a position that the best possible way to ensure a life raft will deploy properly is if it is inspected in the callendar year. I spoke with our Switlik Service Rep at the NY Boat Show and he mentioned that they were re-thinking this and possibly having vacuum packing on their leisure life raft line in the very near future. But, I don't think it will be cost effective to change your POD over to a vacuum pack because it will require some major modifications. Thank you for the post. Brian Kinsella