Once you buy a PFD (Personal Floating Device), you have to do some proper maintenance and care for it so that it remains in a good shape for a longer period of time. A Personal Floating Device is a lifesaver when you go for adventurous water sports, therefore, it is important that you take care of your PFDs when not in use. Here are the things that you need to do for the care and maintenance of your PFD so that it remains in a good shape for a long time.
PFD after use and after cleaning
The first and foremost thing that you should do is clean the PFD after every use. This is a must. Cleaning a PFD is not a tedious task, rather it is a very quick and simple task. You can use some water and a washcloth and clean the PDF with it so there are no traces of debris and dirt on it. However, you have to make sure that you do not use any chemicals on it. You can use a mild detergent, but nothing more. Using chemicals on your PFD will damage it. It is important that you dry your PFD after use and after cleaning. However, make sure that you do not use any kind of direct heat to dry them. This will damage the PFD.
In order to store your PFD you should make sure that the are you want to put it is absolutely dry and is free from any moisture. If you want to keep them in a box or a container then make sure that you do not fold it. folding a PFD will damage the fabric enough to make it unusable. Moreover, if you keep it in a place where there is dew it will eventually damage your PFD and will no longer be useable for you.
If you do not use your PFD for a longer period of time then make sure that wherever you keep it in a clean and dry place and there should not be heavy material pressing the PFD. The best thing to do is that you can hang them in a dry place. Avoid Plastic bags to cover it. Moreover, you should also avoid leaving your PFD in the sun for prolonged duration of time. Prolonged exposure in the sun damages the PFD by fading its color and also weakening the fabric.
PFD on regular basis
Moreover, it is important that you check the condition of your PFD on regular basis. This is because your life depends on it. Before using the PFD make sure that there are no tears, rips or holes in it. Moreover, all the buckles, straps and zips should be intact and working properly. If you find that the PFD is damaged from anywhere you should either mend it if that is possible or you should immediately replace your PFD. This is because your life depends on your PFD and it is not a feasible option to use a damaged PFD.
Furthermore, when you take out your PFD you should make sure, before using it, that it fits and the flotation performance is still adequate. If you see signs of waterlogging, mildew, shrinkage or hardening of the fabric, and you feel that the performance has altered, then it is a good idea to replace it.
