What is Immersion Suits?
Immersion suits (also called survival suits) are full-body insulated suits that prevent water entry. They're typically bright orange and include reflective tape for visibility at night.
Answered by Marine Keeper — the boat maintenance platform trusted by boat owners and charter operators to track, schedule, and understand every system on the water.
Printing is disabled for this article.
Sign up for Marine Keeper to access our full library offline.
What it is
Immersion suits (also called survival suits) are full-body insulated suits that prevent water entry. They're typically bright orange and include reflective tape for visibility at night.
What it does
These suits extend survival time in cold water by maintaining core body temperature and preventing rapid heat loss. Some immersion suits are designed to be worn in conjunction with a lifejacket or warm clothing. SOLAS approved immersion suits help keep the head above water even if unconscious.
Why it matters
Hypothermia is a leading cause of death in man overboard situations and vessel abandonment in cold waters. Water conducts heat away from the body 25 times faster than air. In water colder than 50°F, a person can become hypothermic in as little as 15 minutes.
General Maintenance
Check suits for deterioration, look for any holes, tears, or weak spots in the material. Test zippers for smooth operation, and verify attached safety equipment like whistles and reflective tape. Suits should be tried on to ensure proper fit and crew members should practice donning the suits in case of emergencies. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Inspect suits annually before each sailing season and in accordance with manufacturer recommendations. Some suits can last up to ten years, however as suits age, they generally require more frequent servicing. The U.S. Coast Guard requires commercial vessel crew members to don survival suits in under 60 seconds, and the most experienced can do it in less than 30. Placing two plastic grocery bags over each boot can help crew members slide bulky footwear into the suit more easily, and the bags can be stored inside the suit for quick access.
Common Issues
- Zippers corroding or becoming difficult to operate
- Material becoming damaged from UV exposure or improper storage
- Suits stored in inaccessible locations during emergency
- Crew unfamiliar with donning procedures leading to delays
- Suits sized incorrectly for crew members
- Petroleum contamination degrading rubber and seals
- Tears or punctures from sharp objects during storage
Try Marine Keeper free
Stop tracking safety gear maintenance on napkins.
Marine Keeper tracks every task, expense, and inspection across your fleet. Schedule automatically, get reminded on time, and never wonder when you last serviced something again. Free Personal plan available, no credit card needed.
Related articles
Anchor Alarms
Anchor alarms are electronic systems (either stand-alone apps or features in GPS chart plotters) that monitor your boat's position while…
Read articleCommunication Systems (EPIRB, Satellite, SSB, AIS, VHF)
A comprehensive emergency communication suite relies on multiple redundant systems, each with unique capabilities. An EPIRB, or Emergency…
Read articleDamage Control Kit
A damage control kit is a collection of tools and materials assembled to control hull breaches, through-hull failures and structural dama…
Read article