FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-20/10

Title and Subtitle: Inflatable Emergency Equipment II: Evaluation of Individual Inflatable Aviation Life Preserver Retention Characteristics

Report Date: June 2020

Authors: Beben MS, McLean CL, Weed DB, Ashmore JD, DeSelms DE, Guinn KJ, Ruppel DJ, Taylor AM

Abstract: This study was conducted to measure the retention of aviation inflatable life preservers on wearers jumping into water, as specified by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Technical Standard Order (TSO) C13f, Life Preservers, and SAE Aerospace Recommended Practice (ARP) 1354A, Individual Inflatable Life Preservers. Both of these resources establish minimum performance standards and test methods for the development and use of life preservers during transport aircraft emergencies such as ditching.

The objective of the study was to provide the Aircraft Certification Service, Systems, and Equipment Standards Branch (AIR-6B0) and the SAE S-9, Cabin Safety Provisions Committee, with recommended revisions to test protocols presented in ARP 1354A and TCO-C13f. This study evaluated seven different models of inflatable life preservers, using wearers who jumped into the water from a height of 5 feet above the surface. Factors studied included the number of inflatable chambers, waist strap adjustment, and arm position while jumping into the water.

The study found a significant difference in life preserver retention in regards to inflation chamber type and waist strap adjustment. Arm position did not yield a significant difference in life preserver retention.

Key Words: Life Preserver, Retention, Cabin Safety

No. of Pages: 24