Renew your life raft inspection certificate

Thanks to the INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SAVING DEVICES (IDS CODE) in chapter 4 section 4.1 and 4.2 we can know the lifeguard pretest by which our life raft must meet to be approved within the international convention for the safety of human life at sea ( ALONE). Here are some of the requirements:

How should inflatable life rafts be built ?

The main air chamber will be divided into at least two distinct compartments, each of which will be inflated through a non-return inflation valve. The inner tubes shall be arranged so that, if any of the compartments fails or fails to inflate, the intact compartments can support with positive freeboard around the entire periphery of the life raft the number of persons the life raft is authorized to carry, a mass each of 75 kg and assuming all of them seated in a normal position.



The floor of the life raft shall be waterproof and sufficiently insulated against the cold, either:

  • By means of one or more compartments that can be inflated by the occupants, or that automatically inflate and can be deflated and re-inflated by the occupants, 
  • Or with other equally effective means that do not require inflation 
  • The raft may be inflated by one person. The raft will inflate with a non-toxic gas. Inflation will be completed in 1 min maximum at an ambient temperature between 18°C ​​and 20°C, and in 3 min maximum at an ambient temperature of -30°C. Once inflated, the life raft will hold its shape with its full complement of people and equipment.

Carrying capacity of inflatable life rafts

The number of persons that a life raft is authorized to carry shall be equal to the lesser of the following numbers:

  • The largest integer resulting from dividing by 0.096 the volume, measured in cubic meters, of the main air chambers (which for this purpose shall not include arches or benches, if any) when inflated, or 
  • The largest integer resulting from dividing by 0.372 the horizontal cross-sectional area of ​​the basin (which for this purpose may include the thwart or thwarts, if any), measured in square meters to the innermost edge of the basin. pneumatic chambers; either 
  • The number of people with an average mass of 75 kg. all of them with their immersion suit and life jacket on or, in the case of davit-launched life rafts, with their life jacket on, that they can sit comfortably and have enough space above them, without hindering the operation of any component of the life raft equipment.

Davit Inflatable Life Rafts

In addition to meeting the foregoing requirements, every life raft intended for use with an approved launching device shall withstand, suspended from its lifting hook or sling, a load equal to:

  • 4 times the mass of its full complement of people and equipment at an ambient temperature and a stabilized basin temperature of 20°C ±3°C with none of the relief valves operating; Y 
  • 1.1 times the mass of its full complement of people and equipment at an ambient temperature and a stabilized basin temperature of -30°C with all relief valves operating.

Rigid casings of life rafts to be launched with a device provided for this purpose shall be so secured that neither the casing nor parts of the casing can fall into the sea while the life raft in the life raft is being inflated and raised afloat. wrapping or after performing these operations.

Remember, these are some of the requirements that a lifeguard training miami usa raft must meet to be approved under the SOLAS agreement.

If you want to know all the lifeguard pretest, we invite you to click on the following link: Get Rid of Lifeguard License Once and For All