Recognition that the equipment fully complies with the requirements of the MED (Marine Equipment Directive) will be denoted by a ‘Ships Steering Wheel’ which must be on all equipment sold to European Community Ships of 500 tons or more in size.
In addition, material testing and mechanical tests are done, requirements on colour & retro-reflective material, the presence of specified trimmings is checked: a whistle, light,… and further performance tests on the whole garment or device e.g. the capabilities of donning, floatation, righting, etc.
The head should be supported at the side and at the back so the airways are well out of the water (the mouth should be 12 cm higher than the water surface). The torso should be leaning backwards at an angle between 30° and 90° (vs. vertical) A ‘relaxed’ (unconscious) person face down in the water should be automatically turned on to his back within 10 seconds (EN 395) and within 5 seconds (EN 396, EN 399).
