I noticed on the thread for The Doctor race in Perth that they will be scrutineering inflatable PFD's to make sure that all servicing etc. is up to date or you won't be able to use them in the race.

Although I'm not heading to Perth for it this year, it got me thinking to look up the regulations and see what sort of servicing I should have been doing since I first bought one (I probably should have read all the instructions at the time, but didn't, and haven't checked since as I hardly ever wear them. I've also been asked if I could lend someone one of mine to take over for the race, so trying to get it up to date.

Turns out they're suppose to be inspected & tested annually (which makes sense) commencing 12 months from the date of purchase (suppose to keep receipt for proof of purchase date). The annual testing can be carried out as a "self-service" in accordance with each specific manufacturer's instructions (and you are suppose to keep receipts for the replacement parts - firing cap and cylinder if required) and all details need to be recorded on a service log as and the service date recorded on the jacket itself. Then every 2 or 3 years, they need to be tested and stamped by an accredited service agent, in place of the self service. If servicing isn't up to date they're no longer legally classed as a PFD, until the service has taken place.

So I'm trying to do the right thing and bring the servicing back up to date, but having a lot of trouble finding an accredited service agent within a reasonable distance from home to do so.

The nearest service centres I've been able to find are at Slacks Creek & Yatala, both 45-55mins drive away and weekend hours are either limited to Saturday mornings or closed completely - so very hard to drop off and pickup a couple of days later when you work during the week.

Does anyone know of an agent closer to the southern Gold Coast who services PFD's (Marlin and/or Stearns) at a reasonable cost?

At this stage, if I make two return trips to Slacks Creek (2 x~$23 in fuel) plus the cost of the service ($35) plus a replacement gas cartridge (~$20) - just over $100 all up... and you can buy a brand new one at bcf or whitworths for the same price. Even if I got both the PFD's I own serviced at the same time, it'll be about $80/PFD, with new ones still cheaper online.

What's others experience? Do you just throw them away and buy a new one when the allowable 'Self-service period expires, or have to found a more economical way of keeping them going?