We tested each material for puncture ûresistance using this machine. We also ûtested for abrasion resistance.

If your boat sinks 35 miles offshore and the only thing between your bottom and the ocean's is a fraction of an inch of life raft fabric, the last thing you need to worry about is whether that fabric is tough enough to keep you afloat.

Materials and construction should play critical roles in your research when you go to buy a life raft. The wrong material or shoddy construction can greatly reduce your chance of survival.

Abrasion and Puncture Resistence

We requested material samples from the nine manufacturers whose products we reported on in our recent three-part life raft evaluation (May, June and July 2000 issues). All supplied a sample except…