So now you know. But it is not that much different over here. If you wear a life jacket over to Le Touquet for example you are required to inform the approved maintenance organisation that it has been worn. They then inflate them and leave them on the shelf for 24 hours to be checked. Then comes shelf life itself. All done in the best interests of safety. What use is a vest that doesn't inflate?
Remember all kinds of things can happen to a vest after it is removed from it's pouch. Might get punctured and such......I am sure you see the point
