How To Guides
- How to undertake a professional quality repair of your PVC or Hypalon RIB, inflatable boat and SIB tubes
- How to clean inflatable boats, protect RIB collars, tubes and sponsons, clean Hypalon and PVC inflatable boat fabric
- How to find a leak in my inflatable boat, RIB, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar or tubes
- How to fit a replacement screw-in type inflatable boat, rigid inflatable boat (RIB) or dinghy inflation deflation valve
- How to fix or glue inflatable boat PVC fabric patches and accessories to Hypalon fabric RIB collars and tubes (and vice versa)
- How to identify the fabric of your RIB, inflatable boat, dinghy, life raft or inflatable kayak collar, tube or sponson. Hypalon or PVC?
- How to repair inflatable boat, RIB, RHIB, SIB and kayak collars, inflation tubes or sponsons
- How to replace a Leafield Marine A4 inflation/deflation valve older inflatable boats, RIBs, RHIBs and dinghies
- How to replace an inflatable boat valve
- How to service and/or fit a replacement diaphragm to the Alfons Haar type SF1 inflation valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine A7 or B7 inflatable boat valve
- How to service or repair the Leafield Marine C7 inflatable boat valve
- How to clean your RIB with August Race products
- How to winterise and store inboard engines and outboard engines
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type A to a Hypalon inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other Hypalon / rubber inflatable structures
- How to make an emergency repair using TEAR-AID® Type B to a PVC inflatable boat, RIB, raft and other PVC / vinyl structures
- How to check your lifejacket
- How to install a TRIB airCap HR
- How to install a TRIB airCap LF for Leafield Marine C7 & D7 valves
- How to store your inflatable boat over winter
- How to look after and maintain the ropes on your boat
RIBs & Inflatable Boats
Safety Data Sheets
Blog
How to Check your Lifejacket
Look after your lifejacket and it will look after you…
It doesn't matter whether you have a manual or automatic lifejacket, what does matter is that it works!
It’s really important that you check your lifejacket, at least annually, so here's a great RNLI video showing how to check yours.
Here's a summary of the 5 steps:
1 - Visual: Check for obvious wear and tear to the webbing, stitching and fabric. Check that all zips and fastenings are working as they should.
Unzip the lifejacket on a flat surface, taking a few photos as you unpack it…
2 - Gas cylinder: Cylinders can work loose, so should be checked monthly. Check the cylinder still contains CO2, is in date and is without corrosion. Check there’s no corrosion transfer onto the lifejacket bladder too.
3 - Clip / capsule: On manual lifejackets, check that the retaining clip is in place. On Automatic lifejackets, check the capsule is ok and also in date. It’s worth carrying spare lifejackets or spare rearming kits!
4 - Air bladder: Inflate the bladder using the oral tube and leave inflated for 24hrs in a stable temperature to check there’s no leaks. Deflate the bladder by using the reverse of the cap and then replace the cap.
NB - I personally prefer to use a gentle pump to inflate the lifejacket orally for hygiene reasons!
5 - Repacking: Do follow the manufacturers guidelines on repacking and refer to the photos you took. Remember to fold NOT roll!
See our other ‘How To’ guides at https://www.ribstore.co.uk/pages/advice-information