Inflatable life jacket pfd by Float-Tech
Inflatable life jacket pfd by Float-Tech
Inflatable life jacket pfd by Float-Tech


FInflatable life jacket pfd by Float-Techrequently AskInflatable life jacket pfd by Float-Teched Questions

Is the Float-Tech® PFD U.S. Coast Guard approved?
Float-Tech Model number FT-HRA-R5 inflatable is USCG as a Type V with Type III performance. Our product meets or exceeds the USCG/UL requirements. It provides a minimum of 26 lbs of buoyancy, excellent freeboard, and exceptional turnover characteristics.

What other colors does the jacket come in?
Float-Tech® is available in both Yellow-Navy and Red-Navy combinations from various retailers. The jackets are constructed of lightweight waterproof breathable rip-stop nylon and trim features use 3M ScotchliteTM. The color combinations provide visual appeal, however most important, these colors and fabrics are highly visible when you may need them most.

Where can I purchase a rearming kit?
Re-arming kits can be purchased from our Accessories Page or at any local marine supply stores that carry our inflatable PFD. Below is a list of our current models and the kits that they use:

FT-HRA-R5
Leland, Maximum Inflation, V90000-84204Z
Kit includes: 1/2 in, 24 Gram CO2 Canister
V80040 Bobbin Assembly (Halkey-Roberts)
Green Indicator Pin (Halkey-Roberts)

OGFT-AR5
Leland, Maximum Inflation, V85000-84121Z
Kit includes: 3/8 in, 25 Gram CO2 Canister
V80040 Bobbin Assembly (Halkey-Roberts)
V85006 Green Indicator Pin (Halkey-Roberts)
Manual Inflation Kit: Leland 840AMU-84121Z
Kit includes:3/8 in, 25 Gram CO2 Canister
V85006 Green Indicator Pin (Halkey-Roberts)

OGFT-AR3
Leland, Maximum Inflation, V85000-84121Z
3/8 in, 25 Gram CO2 Canister
V80040 Bobbin Assembly (Halkey-Roberts)
V85006 Green Indicator Pin (Halkey-Roberts)
Manual Inflation Kit: Leland 840AMU-84121Z
3/8 in, 25 Gram CO2 Canister
V85006 Green Indicator Pin (Halkey-Roberts)

Where do I send my PFD for inspection and/or service?
We recommend that you send the liner back to the manufacturer every 24 months for inspection. If you find damage to our inflatable liner, also send it in to the manufacturer. Remember, by registering your product with us, we will remind you when you should service your PFD as well as provide your first PFD service free of charge. Be sure that before each boating season to perform a leak test per your owner’s manual. Also, inspect your inflation mechanism and CO2 canister before each boating outing. For service, send your PFD to the following address:

Attn: Product Inspection
Float-Tech, Inc.
216 River Street
Troy, NY 12180

Can I wear my Float-Tech® PFD with other jackets?
NO, the Float-Tech® PFD liner is only designed to fit approved jackets. DO NOT wear the liner under any other jacket or apparel unless specified by the manufacturer that the apparel is Float-Tech compatible. However, the liner may be worn OVER other apparel and used as your life preserver.

Here is a list of approved Jackets. Be sure that you use the same size liner with the same size jacket (small with small, large with large, etc.):

  • Lifejacket Model Number OGFT-AR3: Use with Navy-Yellow Orca Gear Outer Jacket Only
  • Lifejacket Model Number OGFT-AR5: Use with FT302 Jacket Models. This currently includes FT302-UBI and FT302-UIA.

Can I carry on or check my PFD when I travel on an Airline?
Although the FAA allows a passenger to carry an inflatable PFD on aircraft, the decision is left to the airline. This link provides information regarding individual airline policies: RULES FOR CARRYING INFLATABLES ON COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT (Note, not all airlines will allow carriage of inflatable life preservers, please call your airport to verify with your airline).

What Sizes are Available?
Unisex Sizes by Chest Size

XS

Small

Medium

Large

30-32 inches
(76-81 cm)

34-36 inches
(86-91 cm)

 

38-40 inches
(97-102 cm)

 

42-44 inches

(107-112 cm)

XL

2XL

3XL

 

46-48 inches

(117-122 cm)

50-52 inches

(127-132 cm)

54-56 inches

(137-142 cm)

 


Does the Float-Tech® lifejacket come in kids sizes?
Currently the USCG does not have an approval for inflatable only lifejackets for children under the age of 16. However, hybrids of inflatables and buoyant foam devises are available. Float-Tech Inc. currently does not provide an approved or un-approved device for children. However, we are working towards including such a device with our product family.

Does the Float-Tech® lifejacket come in an integrated harness version?
For additional versatility of the Float-Tech® design, we have included harness compatibility to a variety of harness styles. We’ve included two harness access points to the outer shell of the FT302 Rally model which allows boaters to safely integrate a safety harness into their sailing activities.

All a user needs to do is secure their safety harness first and then don the Float-Tech® lifejacket. Two access zippers along the main zipper allow for securing a tether to either single or double D-Ring configurations.

It is VERY IMPORTANT that you DO NOT WEAR UNAPPROVED APPAREL OVER THE TOP OF ANY TYPE INFLATABLE as the PFD can cause SEVERE INJURY if inflated while being restricted by tight clothing or equipment.

How does your jacket compare to the competitions? Why is it different?
Float-Tech is less bulky, lighter and more versatile. Inflatables have stricter performance requirements than your average foam lifejacket. Our inflatable has significantly more buoyancy than foam lifejackets and will turn your head out of the water if face down.

Float-Tech also has a wide neck design and lays flat in the shoulders for better comfort. It is the only USCG approved lifejacket that can be worn alone or zipped into an outer apparel and still exceed USCG standards for an inflatable.

In addition, the Float-Tech system packages a lightweight boating jacket that is waterproof and breathable that will keep you dry in the rain, yet light enough and versatile enough to wear in varying temperature conditions. The major advantage, its like wearing a jacket versus wearing lifejacket.

How does Float-Tech compare to other float coats?
Float coats do not generally turn a victim’s face up and out of the water. Float-Tech does. Additionally, Float-Tech is not bulky, warm and heavy like full float coats, and is versatile enough to be worn in many more seasons and conditions.

Why is Float-Tech unique?
We are the first product that integrates a removable inflatable liner into outer apparel. The Float-Tech design allows for the inflatable liner to work independently, and also underneath our jacket and vest combination. This is a “first” for inflatable life jackets.

How are lifejackets rated?
Lifejackets are rate by their minimum buoyancy requirements. Float-Tech is rated as a Type III device which, generally rated at 22.5 lb buoyancy. However, our design performs at 26 lbs of buoyancy and the bladder is optimized to provide exceptional turn-over and freeboard performance. Minimum buoyancy is determined by oral inflation of the device. Many times, the CO2 activated buoyancy is significantly higher.

How does your jacket perform compared to an inflatable with products that have higher buoyancy?
Float-Tech’s key advantage it is inflatable chamber design. We have optimized its size and shape to perform equal to or greater than our competitions. Float-Tech’s superior performance in the water will rapidly turn your head out of the water and keep you up out of the water for increased visibility, which are the most important features needed in lifesaving performance characteristic.

Higher buoyancy doesn’t necessarily mean a better lifejacket. Float-Tech is a complete safety unit that can be worn as a PFD vest, a jacket, or a vest and is USCG approved in all forms. Other inflatable life jackets are not tested with outerwear, nor do outer apparel companies have any accountability to meet US Coast Guard Standards. Float-Tech does.

How much weight does your device hold? What does buoyancy mean for lifejackets and why is it important?
This is a common question an a common misconception that you need more buoyancy for a heavier person. Buoyancy is simply the amount of force pushing upward on the jacket, keeping it above the surface of the water.

The average adult has between 7 & 12 lbs of positive buoyancy, which means the force of the water pushing up on the adult is higher than the force pulling down on the person. The buoyancy in lifejackets provides the additional assistance needed to keep our head and mouth out of the water, and increase your ability to be saved.

How does Float Tech save your life?
Float-Tech is designed to give a victim an increased rate of survivability. When inflated, it will turn a victims head out of the water, and floats them at a high and proper angle to avoid drowning, this increases the victim’s visibility in the water and keeps them from drowning and increase their likelihood of being saved.

How long can Float Tech keep you afloat if one should fall overboard?
100% of all inflatable lifejackets are tested for a 12-16 hour period to maintain the proper level of air pressure. Other testing requires that less than 5% of buoyancy is lost over a six hour period. However, a conscious victim can keep the inflatable bladder indefinitely inflated using the manual oral tube.



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Inflatable pfd
Float-Tech
®, Inc.
216 River Street, Troy, NY 12180 - Phone: 518.266.0964 - Fax: 518.266.0318
Sales Inquires : Email Sales - Customer Service : Email Customer Service

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