Belouga inflatable lifejacket – Special for offshore heavy equipment (275 Newtons).

1/ USER MANUAL – CERTEC INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

Complies with the requirements of ISO 12402 (personal flotation devices)

A/ Product Identification

Manufacturer: CERTEC

Product: Inflatable life jacket

Type: Manual percussion OR Manual and automatic percussion

Applicable standard: ISO 12402 (applicable sections depending on the model)

Marking: CE

B/ Scope of application

This vest is Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) designed to keep the user afloat in the event of an accidental fall into the water.

This lifejacket :

– Does not guarantee survival under all circumstances

– Requires that the user know how to swim or adopt a suitable posture

– Must be used in connection with planned water sports or work activities

C/ Technical Description

The life jacket includes:

– An outer fabric cover

– An inflatable inner tube

– A percussion device (manual and/or automatic)

– A CO₂ gas cartridge

– An oral inflation tube with a check valve

– A strap closure and adjustment system

D/ Performance

Performance specifications (buoyancy in Newtons—e.g., 100N, 150N, 275N) are indicated on the product label in accordance with ISO 12402.

E/ Instructions for Use

Setup

– Put on the vest according to the instructions

– Adjust the straps for optimal support

– Check that it is fully closed

– Make sure the device is ready for use

Checks before use

Avant chaque utilisation :

– Check for tears or wear

– Check that the CO₂ cartridge is properly screwed in and undamaged

– Check that the trigger system is working properly

– Check that the inner tube is folded properly

F/ How it works

Automatic activation

– Inflation is triggered by immersion in water

– The system activates the CO₂ cartridge

Manual activation

– Pull firmly on the trigger

Oral inflation

– Use the mouthpiece to supplement or replace the inflation

G/ After triggering

– Check that the tire is fully inflated

– Maintain a stable supine position

– Use the built-in signaling devices (if available)

2/ CARE AND MAINTENANCE OF INFLATABLE LIFE JACKETS

A/ Routine maintenance

– Rinse with fresh water after use

– Air-dry

– Do not expose to excessive heat

B/ Periodic inspection

– Regular visual inspection: recommended annually for private individuals and mandatory for businesses

– Inspection and maintenance of the firing mechanism: recommended annually for private individuals and mandatory for professionals

– CO₂ cartridge inspection: recommended annually for residential customers and mandatory for commercial customers

– General review: recommended annually for individuals and mandatory for professionals – contact us

C/ Rearmament

After triggering:

– Completely deflate the inner tube

– Replace the CO₂ cartridge

– Replace the automatic trigger (if applicable)

– Fold the vest according to the instructions in the booklet included with the vest

– Use only CERTEC-certified parts

D/ Storage

– Store in a dry, well-ventilated place

– Keep away from direct light and moisture

– Do not compress the product for an extended period of time

E/ Service life

The service life depends on:

– Terms of Use

– Maintenance

– Compliance with periodic inspections

A vest that shows signs of wear or is no longer in service must be retired.

F/ Disclaimers

– Do not use as a cushion or play equipment

– Do not modify the product

– Do not use if damaged

– Do not inflate with any gas other than the one specified

G/ Disposal

The product must be disposed of in accordance with local regulations:

– Separate the components (textiles, plastics, metal)

– Take it to an authorized recycling center

– Dispose of CO₂ cartridges through the appropriate channels

H/ Traceability

Each life jacket includes:

– Lot or serial number

– Date of manufacture

– Regulatory labeling

1/ Warranty Policy – Life Jackets

A/ Scope

This warranty policy applies to all manual and automatic inflatable life jackets manufactured by CERTEC in France.

B/ Warranty Period

CERTEC vests are guaranteed for a period of 2 (two) years from the date of purchase against any defects in workmanship or materials under normal use and in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

C/ Scope of Coverage

The warranty covers:

– Design flaws

– Manufacturing defects

– Failures of original components (impact system, air chamber, seams, etc.)

In the event of a confirmed defect, CERTEC agrees to:

– Repair the product, or

– Replace the defective product or parts, or

– Offer an equivalent solution, at its discretion.

D/ Warranty Exclusions

The warranty does not cover:

– Normal wear and tear of the product

– Damage resulting from misuse, improper storage, or lack of maintenance

– Modifications or repairs made by an unauthorized third party

– Damage resulting from an accident, impact, or prolonged immersion outside of normal use

– Consumables (CO₂ cartridges, water-soluble tablets, etc.)

E/ Terms and Conditions

To be eligible for the warranty, the customer must:

– Provide valid proof of purchase

– Have followed the instructions for use, maintenance, and storage

– Have had the recommended periodic inspections performed

F/ Implementation Procedure

All warranty claims must be submitted to CERTEC Customer Service or an authorized dealer, along with:

– The product in question

– Proof of purchase

– A description of the problem encountered

2/ Recycling and End-of-Life Policy

A/ Environmental Commitment

CERTEC is committed to reducing the environmental impact of its products by promoting recycling, material recovery, and responsible end-of-life management of its life jackets.

B/ Product Components

CERTEC inflatable life jackets consist of:

– Technical textiles (polyester, nylon)

– Inner tube (polyurethane or equivalent)

– Metal CO₂ cartridges

– Metal CO₂ cartridges

– Plastic parts and accessories

C/ End-of-life recommendations

When the product reaches the end of its useful life:

– Do not throw the vest away with unsorted household waste

– Disassemble the main components if possible

– Remove the CO₂ cartridge (dispose of as pressurized metal waste)

D/ Recycling streams

Users are invited to:

– Take the vests to a recycling center or an authorized waste collection facility

– Send CO₂ cartridges to a metal recycling facility

– Contact CERTEC distributors who can offer trade-in solutions

E/ Trade-in program (optional)

CERTEC can set up a buyback program that allows for:

– The return of the old life jacket

– Sorting and recycling of materials

– Reducing the overall environmental footprint

F/ Reducing environmental impact

To extend the product's lifespan and reduce waste:

– Follow the care instructions

– Conduct regular inspections

– Replace only defective parts whenever possible

1/ Commitment to Quality

At CERTEC, user safety is our top priority. Our inflatable life jackets, available in both manual and automatic activation models, are designed and manufactured in France to the highest standards.

We are committed to:

– Ensuring regulatory compliance: All of our products comply with current European standards (including ISO and CE marking).

– Ensuring maximum reliability: Each vest undergoes rigorous testing to ensure it functions properly under real-world conditions.

– Select high-quality materials: durable technical fabrics, certified components, and proven percussion systems.

– Controlling our production: manufactured in France with full traceability at every stage.

– Continuously improve our products: through customer feedback, real-world testing, and our monitoring of technological developments.

– Training our teams: to ensure a high level of expertise and precision in manufacturing and quality control.

Our goal: to provide reliable, durable, and safe equipment that helps protect human lives at sea and on inland waterways.

2/ Manufacturing Process for Inflatable Life Jackets

The manufacturing of CERTEC vests is based on a structured industrial process that ensures quality, safety, and traceability.

A/ Design and Development

– Analysis of user needs and regulatory requirements

– Computer-Aided Design (CAD)

– Prototyping and technical validation (buoyancy, deployment, and durability tests)

B/ Selection of raw materials

– Technical fabrics (coated nylon or polyester)

– Puncture-resistant inner tubes

– Percussion systems (automatic or manual)

– Certified CO₂ cartridges

– Accessories (straps, buckles, reflective strips)

C/ Cutting the components

– Automated or semi-automated fabric cutting

– Dimensional inspection of parts

D/ Assembly and Welding

– Assembly of fabric covers

– High-frequency welding or bonding of inflatable chambers

– Integration of inflation systems

E/ Final assembly

– Installation of CO₂ cartridges

– Installation of automatic triggers (hydrostatic switch or soluble capsule)

– Addition of accessories (whistle, reflective strips, harness)

F/ Quality Control

– Inner tube leak test

– Trigger verification (manual and automatic)

– Comprehensive visual and functional inspection

– Sampling with real-world testing

G/ Labeling and Traceability

– Labeling with batch number

– Technical documentation and user manuals

– Recording of production data

H/ Packaging and Shipping

– Folding and bagging

– Individually packaged

– Shipping to distributors or end customers