When it comes to lifesaving equipment, there’s no room for shortcuts. Every decision, every material, and every test procedure matters because someone’s life may depend on it. That belief is at the core of our product testing and quality assurance process.
Based in Trenton, NJ, all of our products are manufactured on-site. Producing everything in-house allows us to manage every step in the process, ensuring quality assurance is seamlessly integrated from raw materials to final packaging. This setup ensures that nothing leaves our facility unless it meets our exacting standards.
A Rigorous, Consistent Testing Process
Switlik offers 2-, 5-, and 10-year TBO (time-between-overhaul) intervals for our commercial airline life vests specifically, but, regardless of service life, every vest undergoes the same rigorous testing procedure.
Once any life vest is manufactured, it is fully inflated and left undisturbed for 12 hours. At the start of this test, our team records the initial internal pressure, along with the ambient temperature and barometric pressure of the testing room. After 12 hours, those same measurements are taken again and compared.
If the life vest shows no change in pressure under consistent conditions, it is approved, deflated, and prepared for packing. Life vests that remain in our factory inventory are requalified every six months, in accordance with FAA requirements, to ensure continued compliance and readiness.
Material Integrity Comes First
Quality assurance begins long before assembly. All incoming raw materials are tested to confirm they meet Technical Standard Order (TSO) requirements before they ever enter production. We maintain strict limits on allowable air loss, though failures at this stage are rare due to our high material standards.
If a life vest or material component fails inspection at any point, it is immediately discarded and documented. Failed items are never repaired or reworked. This uncompromising approach ensures consistency, traceability, and absolute confidence in the products we provide to our customers.
The Same Standards Across Every Life Vest
From our Infant Life Vest (ILV-20) to our constant-wear life vests, including the X-Back series, Aviator Pilot & Passenger Vest, and more, every model follows the same inspection and testing process. No product is exempt, and no shortcuts are taken. This consistency guarantees the highest level of quality at the moment each vest leaves our factory.
Quality Across Our Entire Product Line
While the testing process of inflating and deflating is specific to airline and constant wear life vests, every product we produce undergoes equally rigorous testing and quality assurance before leaving our facility. For example, our custom dry suits undergo thorough water pressure testing to check for leaks before they are approved and sold, ensuring dependable performance in real-world conditions.
Because Every Test Matters
Every inspection, measurement, and test we perform is imperative. These products are designed for moments when failure is not an option. That responsibility drives our process, our standards, and our unwavering focus on quality.
Because when it comes to safety equipment, someone’s life truly counts on it.
