Get summer ready - get your PFD Certified!

Boaties, listen up! This is the most important thing you’ll do this summer

Boaties, ahoy! As the summer months approach, many of us are gearing up to get out on those crystal clear waters. After all, is there anything better than jetting away from the mainland (and the boss!) and straight towards a big ol’ jewie to take home for tea? Nope, we don’t think so!

Before you get your sea legs on though, it’s important to take safety precautions. Rules aside, this is about staying alive!  Sadly, Surf Life Saving NSW last season reported a record number of coastal drownings. Fifty-five people in NSW lost their lives on our beaches,  coastal waterways and rock platforms in 2021/22. According to the 2022 NSW Coastal Safety Report, men over 40 are at high risk. Boating and rock fishing are listed as particularly dangerous activities.

Our beautiful waterways are supposed to be a place to make great memories, not a place of tragedy. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to be careful when boating, fishing, swimming or taking part in water sports this season.

At ovesco, we have sold and serviced portable flotation devices (PFDs), or lifejackets as they are more commonly known, for decades. We know the water…and what it takes to keep you safe. The most important thing? A lifejacket!

Who needs to wear a lifejacket? (the answer may surprise you!)

We often get asked when to wear a lifejacket. What are the rules for wearing a lifejacket in NSW? There are a few technicalities for when you must wear a lifejacket and what type. These rules depend on your age, the level of risk, the type of vessel you’re in, where you are and the time of day you’re on the water. The rules can also change. Wollongong City Council, for instance, has recently decided rock fishers along the Woolongong coastline must wear PFDs.

In our opinion, the answer is much simpler. If there is even the slightest chance that you or a passenger could drown, then yes, you should absolutely wear a lifejacket. How much is your life worth? Certainly much more than the price of a lifejacket!

As a general rule, a lifejacket should be worn by everyone in open water environments when:

• Boating, jet skiing or sailing
• Using watercraft such as canoes, kayaks, paddle boards
• Fishing, including rock fishing
• You expect to be in the water for long periods of time.

There are different levels of lifejacket available - Level 50, Levels 50S and Level 100, for example. We usually recommend an inflatable option, which automatically inflates once wet. Most inflatable lifejackets are classified as a Level 150 or above.

Getting your lifejacket tested

Should you encounter an emergency, an old and worn lifejacket will be useless. Lifejackets can wear easily as they are exposed to salty air, hot weather and bright sunlight.

You must follow the manufacturer's guidelines and, in most cases, get your lifejacket serviced once per year. It should also be serviced if it is inflated.

If serviced by a professional, a lifejacket can last up to 10 years or more. If not, it will likely cost you more money (or your life!) in the long-run.

The service will include thorough checks to ensure the bladder, reflective tapes, buckles and straps, inflation mechanism and C02 cylinder are in good working order.

ovesco is the only authorised lifejacket service centre in the Hunter Region. Pop in or send us your PFDs and we will have them speedily tested and sent back to you with an official certification … or purchase a new one.

You should keep a record of the date of service in the inside of your jacket.

Self-checking your lifejacket before use

Even if your lifejacket has been professionally serviced, you should still check it yourself before use. These are your regular pre-wear checks:

• Check there are no visible signs of wear and tear
• Check that the CO2 cylinder is screwed in hand-tight and that it is not pierced
• Check the auto-inflation cartridge is hand-tight and is in date
• Check the pull cord is free and ready to use.

After use, remove the cartridge and rinse the jacket with fresh water. Dry it and reconnect the cartridge before storing it.

The final step? Enjoy your summer!

For more information about ovesco’s lifejacket testing service, call 1300 290 359, email us or visit our store at 4 Channel Road, Mayfield West NSW 2304, Mon-Fri 7:30am till 4pm.