If an old life jacket still floats well and has no rips, faded straps, or broken buckles, you can donate it or pass it on for water use. If it is worn out, do not give it to someone as safety gear. Instead, repurpose it as boat padding, use it for non-safety projects, or recycle it where you can. A bad life jacket is worse than none, because it gives false confidence.
Life jackets, also called PFDs, wear out over time. Here is how to tell if yours is still safe and what to do with it either way.
Is Your Life Jacket Still Safe?
Check it before you trust it or pass it on.
- Float test. In shallow water, a good jacket holds you up easily. If it feels waterlogged or sluggish, the foam has broken down.
- Look it over. Faded fabric, rips, mildew, flattened foam, or cracked buckles all mean retire it.
- Check the fit and type. A jacket that no longer fits the user, or is the wrong type for the activity, is not safe even if it looks fine.
Donate a Good One
A jacket in safe shape can help someone get on the water. Look for these:
- Boating clubs, marinas, and scout troops
- Life jacket loaner stations at lakes and beaches, which take good donations
- Thrift stores, for jackets that still pass a float check
Repurpose a Worn-Out One
If it failed the test, keep it off the water but put it to other use.
- Cut it into padding or bumpers for a dock or boat
- Use the foam as kneeling pads for gardening or chores
- Save buckles, straps, and clips for repairs and craft projects
- Use it as costume or display gear, clearly marked as not for swimming
For the rest of your gear, see our guides on old boating gear and old camping gear.
How to Dispose of One
Life jackets are tricky to recycle because they mix foam, fabric, and plastic. Pull off any metal or hard plastic clips to reuse or recycle, then check with a textile recycler or your local waste site for the rest. As a last resort it can go in the trash, but try repurposing first. Our declutter and recycle guide has more ideas.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do life jackets expire?
There is no printed expiration date, but the foam and fabric break down with sun, use, and storage. Replace one that is faded, torn, waterlogged, or no longer floats well.
Can you donate old life jackets?
Only if they still pass a float check and have no damage. Boating clubs, marinas, scout troops, and loaner stations accept safe ones. Never donate a worn-out jacket as safety gear.
How do you dispose of an old life jacket?
Remove reusable clips and straps, then check a textile recycler or local waste site. Repurpose the foam if you can, and use the trash only as a last resort.
How do I know if my life jacket is still good?
Do a float test in shallow water and inspect for rips, mildew, flattened foam, and cracked buckles. Any of those means it is time to retire it.