2.3.1 General requirements for immersion suits
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2.3.1 General requirements for immersion suits

  2.3.1.1 An immersion suit shall be constructed with waterproof materials such that:

  • .1 it can be unpacked and donned without assistance within 2 min, taking into account donning of any associated clothingfootnote, donning of a lifejacket if the immersion suit must be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket to meet the requirements of paragraph 2.3.1.2, and inflation of orally inflatable chambers if fitted;

  • .2 it will not sustain burning or continue melting after being totally enveloped in a fire for a period of 2 s;

  • .3 it will cover the whole body with the exception of the face, except that covering for the hands may be provided by separate gloves which shall be permanently attached to the suit;

  • .4 it is provided with arrangements to minimize or reduce free air in the legs of the suit; and

  • .5 following a jump from a height of not less than 4.5 m into the water there is no undue ingress of water into the suit.

  2.3.1.2 An immersion suit on its own, or worn in conjunction with a lifejacket if necessary, shall have sufficient buoyancy and stability in calm fresh water to:

  • .1 lift the mouth of an exhausted or unconscious person clear of the water by not less than 120 mm; and

  • .2 allow the wearer to turn from a face-down to a face-up position in not more than 5 s.

  2.3.1.3 An immersion suit shall permit the person wearing it, and also wearing a lifejacket if the immersion suit is to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket, to:

  • .1 climb up and down a vertical ladder at least 5 m in length;

  • .2 perform normal duties associated with abandonment;

  • .3 jump from a height of not less than 4.5 m into the water without damaging or dislodging the immersion suit or its attachments, or being injured; and

  • .4 swim a short distance through the water and board a survival craft.

  2.3.1.4 An immersion suit which has buoyancy and is designed to be worn without a lifejacket shall be fitted with a light complying with the requirements of paragraph 2.2.3 and the whistle prescribed by paragraph 2.2.1.14.

  2.3.1.5 An immersion suit which has buoyancy and is designed to be worn without a lifejacket shall be provided with a releasable buoyant line or other means to secure it to a suit worn by another person in the water.

  2.3.1.6 An immersion suit which has buoyancy and is designed to be worn without a lifejacket shall be provided with a suitable means to allow a rescuer to lift the wearer from the water into a survival craft or rescue boat.

  2.3.1.7 If an immersion suit is to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket, the lifejacket shall be worn over the immersion suit. Persons wearing such an immersion suit shall be able to don a lifejacket without assistance. The immersion suit shall be marked to indicate that it must be worn in conjunction with a compatible lifejacket.

  2.3.1.8 An immersion suit shall have buoyancy which is not reduced by more than 5% after 24 h submersion in fresh water and does not depend on the use of loose granulated materials.

Parent topic: 2.3 Immersion suits
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