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Appendix 1 to ETSO-C13g - Functional and Environmental Qualification Requirements

Available versions for ERULES-1963177438-18018

ED Decision 2020/011/R found in: CS-ETSO Amdt 17 - European Technical Standard Orders (Oct 2026)

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###### Appendix 1 to ETSO-C13g – Functional and Environmental Qualification Requirements

*ED
Decision
2020/011/R*

Appendix
1 modifies the text in SAE International’s Aerospace Standard
AS1354, Individual Inflatable Life Preserver, dated 24 February 2016.
Compliance with the modified text is required in order to comply with
the requirements of this ETSO.

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When
			reading AS1354
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Do
			the following:
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Section
			1
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Disregard
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Section
			2
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Apply
			all the subsections unless they are disregarded or modified below:
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Page
			4, replace Subsection 2.1 with the following text:

2.1
			Applicable Documents
The
			following publications form a part of this document to the extent
			specified herein. The applicable issue of cited publications shall
			be the issue that was in effect on the date of the publication of
			this document, unless otherwise specified. In the event of
			conflict between the text of this document and the references
			cited herein, the text of this document takes precedence. Nothing
			in this document, however, supersedes the applicable laws and
			regulations unless a specific exemption has been obtained.
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Page
			6, Subsection 2.3 applies as written, except replace the
			definitions of the following terms with the ones below:

APPROVED:
			The status of equipment that meets EASA standards.

CHILLED
			HANDS TEST METHOD: A technique to simulate the reduced dexterity
			of chilled, wet hands that may occur during an emergency in a cold
			and wet environment. A naïve test subject simultaneously
			submerges their left and right forearms and hands in 50 °F (10
			°C) water for 2 minutes and immediately upon removal attempts to
			open/operate the designated packaging/equipment. The test subject
			shall be healthy and wear a loose‑fitting, sleeveless
			upper garment that will not inhibit blood flow to the arms and
			hands. (Alternate: GLOVED HANDS TEST METHOD)

SEAT
			PITCH: The distance from any point on one seat to exactly the same
			point on the seat in front or behind it.
TEST
			SUBJECTS: Individuals who participate in life preserver tests
			(e.g. donning, retention, flotation). All such individuals shall
			be naïve, i.e. they shall have had no experience in using a life
			preserver or the specific equipment to be tested, and they shall
			not have viewed or talked with other persons performing the same
			or similar activities. Note that individuals who have experience
			in using marine or boating life preservers are considered to be
			acceptable test subjects.
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Section
			3
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Apply
			all the subsections unless they are disregarded or modified below:
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Page
			7, Section 3, replace the introductory text with the following:

3.
			DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS

Tests
			and measurements performed to demonstrate compliance with this
			standard shall be conducted with equipment that is calibrated
			according to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM)
			specifications, using standards and references that are traceable
			to a recognised national authority (e.g. the National Institute of
			Standards and Technology (NIST)). The description of the test
			results shall include the accuracy and precision of the
			measurement(s), e.g. measured in 5-pound increments with an
			accuracy of ± 0.10  pounds. 


All
			tests that require timing shall use time-encoded video. In
			addition, tests that require human subjects or a child test dummy
			shall use time-encoded video.
Demonstration
			life preservers are not addressed by this ETSO. They are not
			intended to be functional and should be marked accordingly.
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Page
			10, replace Subsection 3.9 with the following text:

3.9
			Donning

Donning
			tests shall be performed to show compliance with the design
			requirements and the comprehensibility of markings. The procedure
			for donning the life preserver shall be simple and obvious such
			that it can be rapidly donned by an untrained person without any
			assistance. This shall be demonstrated in accordance with the test
			criteria and procedures in Subsection 5.3.

For
			the adult and adult-child category, it shall be demonstrated that
			at least 75 % of the total number of test subjects, and at
			least 60 % of the test subjects in each age group specified
			in Subsection 5.3.1, can don the life preserver within 25 seconds,
			unassisted, starting with the packaged life preserver on the test
			participant’s lap. It must also be demonstrated that an
			unassisted adult can install an appropriate life preserver on
			another adult or child within 30 seconds.

For
			the child and infant-small child category, it shall be
			demonstrated that at least 60 % of five adult test subjects
			of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 40, unassisted, can
			install a child life preserver on a child who weighs between 35
			and 90 pounds (15.88 and 40.82 kg) and an infant-small child
			life preserver on a child dummy within 90 seconds, unassisted,
			starting with the packaged life preserver.
The
			donning-time test does not apply to constant wear life preservers
			that are intended to be fully donned by the wearer while on board
			the aircraft. The donning-time test does apply to constant wear
			life preservers that are intended to be partially donned by the
			wearer while on board the aircraft and require an additional
			donning procedure prior to inflating the life preserver or
			entering the water. For these partially donned life preserver
			designs, the test shall begin with the life preserver in the
			partially donned condition.
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Page
			10, replace Subsection 3.10 with the following text:

3.10
			Retention

The
			means of retaining the life preserver on the wearer for an adult,
			adult-child, and child life preserver shall require the wearer to
			secure no more than one attachment and make only one adjustment
			for fit. This requirement does not apply to constant wear life
			preservers. The retention means shall not make use of knots. The
			means of retaining the life preserver shall not require any action
			to secure it other than fastening and fit adjustment (e.g. removal
			of rubber bands, unfastening of attachment points). Partially
			donned life preservers shall not require the wearer to secure more
			than one attachment or make more than one adjustment for fit after
			the life preserver is partially donned.

The
			means of retaining the life preserver shall be shown to be
			operable within 5 seconds with chilled or gloved hands (e.g.
			fastening/unfastening buckles, snapping/unsnapping, etc.). This
			will be demonstrated in accordance with the Chilled Hands or
			Gloved Hands Test Methods in Subsection 5.4.2. This requirement
			does not apply to constant wear life preservers that are intended
			to be fully donned by the wearer while on board the aircraft.

The
			adult, adult-child, and child category life preserver shall remain
			inflated, secured, and not cause injury to a wearer when it is
			tested in accordance with 5.4. There shall be no damage to the
			life preserver as a result of the jump. Chafing of the wearer’s
			skin shall not be considered to be an injury.
The
			infant-small child category life preserver shall remain inflated
			and undamaged, and the infant-small child dummy, specified in
			5.3.2, shall remain properly secured in the donned life preserver,
			while being held by an adult and tested in accordance with 5.4.3.
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Page
			11, replace Subsection 3.11.2 with the following text:

3.11.2
			Infant-Small Child
The
			life preserver shall provide insulation for the wearer’s
			head and upper torso (i.e. from the waist up) with a minimum
			R-value of 0.25 (equivalent to approximately 2 mm of wetsuit
			fabric). There shall be a means, other than knots, to restrict the
			position of the life preserver relative to the wearer, so as to
			provide proper function and prevent the wearer from releasing the
			means of restriction. Means shall be provided to prevent the
			introduction and/or entrapment of water. This shall be
			demonstrated in accordance with the Flotation Attitude Test
			procedure in 5.5.2.
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Page
			11, replace Subsection 3.13 with the following text:

3.13
			Tether, Infant-Small Child Category

A
			tether of PIA-C-5040, Type 3 cord or equivalent, at least 72
			inches (182.88 mm) long, shall be attached to the
			infant-small child life preserver. The attachment shall be located
			such that the flotation attitude specified in 3.11.2 is maintained
			when the line is held taut in the water. The attachment shall be
			shown to withstand a 70-pound (31.75 kg) pull for at least 3
			seconds without a failure of the line or the attachment.
A
			positive-buoyancy attachment means shall be provided at the free
			end of the tether. The attachment means shall be shown to be
			operable with cold, wet hands, using either the Chilled Hands or
			Gloved Hands Test Method. This must be demonstrated in
			accordance with Subsection 5.9. There shall be a provision for
			stowing or securing the tether during use so that it remains
			readily accessible and does not dangle loosely.
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Page
			11, replace Subsection 3.14 with the following text:

3.14
			Survivor Locator Light
The
			life preserver shall be equipped with a survivor locator light
			that meets the requirements of ETSO-C85b or TSO-C85b, Survivor
			Locator Lights. The light shall automatically activate upon
			initial immersion in the water or by other means that do not
			require additional action by the wearer once the life preserver is
			fully donned. The light shall be located so to enhance visibility
			from a surface vessel or from an aircraft.
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Page
			12, replace Subsection 3.17.2 with the following text:

3.17.2
			Package Opening
Opening
			of the package shall be demonstrated in accordance with the
			Package Opening test procedures in 5.7.
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Page
			12, replace Subsection 3.18.1 with the following text:

3.18.1
			Instructions 

The
			proper donning procedure and other operational instructions shall
			be simple, obvious, and shall be presented pictorially with
			a minimum use of words. Instructions that pertain to operations
			normally accomplished after the life preserver has been donned
			shall be oriented so that the wearer, or the person assisting a
			child or an infant-small child wearer, can see them while in the
			water. Instructions shall be sized, positioned and contrasted with
			the background to make them easily readable and comprehensible at
			a viewing distance of 24 inches (60.96 cm) with illumination
			no greater than 0.05 ft-c (0.54 lux) by a person who has
			20/20 vision. Written instructions shall use bold lettering at
			least 0.22 inches (5.6 mm) high with a stroke width of at
			least 0.047 inches (1.2 mm). Comprehensibility shall be
			demonstrated in accordance with the Comprehensibility test
			procedure in Subsection 5.8.
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Section
			4
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Apply
			all the subsections unless they are disregarded or modified below:
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Page
			13, replace Subsection 4.2.1 with the following text:

4.2.1
			Permeability
The
			materials used in the construction of the air holding cell shall
			have a maximum permeability to helium of 5 L/m2 in 24 hours at 77
			°F (25 °C) when tested in accordance with 5.6.3.
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Section
			5
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Apply
			all the subsections unless they are disregarded or modified below:
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Page
			15, replace Subsection 5.1.2 with the following text:

5.1.2
			Overpressure

The
			life preserver shall meet the minimum buoyancy requirements
			defined in 3.4 when it is subjected to overpressure. Inflate each
			flotation chamber via the oral inflation tube to 1 psig
			(6.89 kPa), then manually actuate the discharge of the gas
			reservoir for each chamber. Submerge the life preserver in fresh
			water at a temperature of 70 °F ± 5 °F (21.1 °C
			± 2.8 °C), so that no part of it is less than 24 inches
			(60.96 cm) below the surface of the water. Measure the
			buoyancy to show compliance with the applicable requirement in
			Table 1. Keep the life preserver submerged for at least 8 hours,
			after which time it shall be shown to meet or exceed the
			requirement in Table 1.
Alternatively,
			the test may be discontinued in less than 8 hours if buoyancy
			measurements taken at 4 successive 30-minute intervals show that
			the buoyant force of the life preserver has stabilised at or above
			the value specified in Table 1.
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Pages
			15-16, replace Subsection 5.3.1 with the following text:

5.3.1
			Test Subjects

At
			least 25 test subjects shall be employed in tests of an adult or
			adult-child preserver. At least 5 of those test subjects shall be
			from each of the following age groups: 
20 to 29 years; 30 to
			39 years; 40 to 49 years; 50 to 59 years; and 60 to 69 years. No
			more than 60 % of the test subjects in any age group may be
			of the same sex. The number of test subjects in any age group may
			not exceed 30 % of the total number of test subjects.

Child-donning
			tests shall be performed by a minimum of 5 adult test subjects of
			both sexes between the ages of 20 and 40. Tests shall be performed
			using a child that weighs between 35 and 90 pounds (15.88 and
			40.91 kg).

Infant-small
			child donning tests shall be performed by a minimum of 5 adult
			test subjects of both sexes between the ages of 20 and 40. Tests
			shall be performed using an articulating infant-small child dummy
			per Subsection 5.3.2.

Adult
			test subjects shall have no experience with inflatable life
			preservers or donning tests. Test subjects shall not be familiar
			with the manufacture, production, or maintenance of inflatable
			life preservers.

Test
			subjects shall receive no donning instructions other than the
			general introduction briefing and preflight video briefing on the
			use of the life preserver per Appendix D — Donning Test
			Briefings. Instructions for the child and infant-small child
			category life preserver shall be the typical briefing given by a
			flight attendant to a parent/guardian that accompanies a child or
			infant on a flight. Test subjects may be informed (during the
			pre-test introduction briefing) that this is a timed test, and
			that their task is to don the life preserver within the applicable
			time frame specified in Subsection 3.9.
Furthermore,
			the installation, operating and maintenance instructions shall
			also reflect the requirements of this section. The operating
			instructions must report the detailed content of the simulated
			preflight briefing and any special instructions for the unique
			aspects of operating the design of the life preserver that should
			be considered for its operational use and continued performance.
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Page
			16, replace Subsection 5.3.3 with the following text:

5.3.3
			Arrangement

Subjects
			in tests of an adult, adult-child, or child life preserver shall
			be seated in previously approved air carrier coach class seating,
			with a seat row in front of the test subjects, creating a seat
			pitch not exceeding 31 inches (78.74 cm). Subjects shall be seated
			one per row. All subjects shall have their seat belts fastened.
Infant-small
			child life preserver donning tests shall be performed with the
			adult test subject holding the infant on their lap, seated between
			two other adult subjects who shall not assist or hamper the test
			subject who performs the donning test. The adult test subject
			shall be wearing their own life preserver.
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Page
			16, replace Subsection 5.3.4 with the following text:

5.3.4
			Procedure
The
			donning test shall start on signal with the packaged life
			preserver held on the test subject’s lap, or for a constant wear
			life preserver, the test shall start in the partially donned
			configuration. The timing of the test shall end when the life
			preserver is properly donned, secured, and adjusted for fit (the
			means of adjustment shall be adjusted for a snug fit on the test
			subject). Donning tests shall be captured on video; the timing for
			each individual subject shall be recorded separately.
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Page
			16, add two new subsections to 5.4 as follows:

5.4.2
			Retention Mechanism Test

Demonstrate
			the operability of the life preserver retention mechanism using
			either the Chilled Hands or Gloved Hands Test Method (see 2.3
			Definitions). At least 4 out of 5 test subjects shall secure the
			life preserver retention mechanism (e.g. fasten and then unfasten
			it) within 5 seconds. In cases for which additional participants
			are required, 75 % of the total number of test participants
			for each demonstration must complete the retention mechanism task
			within the allowed time.

5.4.3
			Infant-Small Child Life Preserver
The
			infant-small child category life preserver shall remain inflated
			and undamaged, and the infant-small child dummy, specified in
			5.3.2, shall remain properly secured in the donned life preserver,
			while being held by an adult who jumps into the water from a
			height of 5 feet (1.52 m) above the water. The adult shall wear an
			inflated life preserver for this test.
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Page
			17, replace Subsection 5.6.2 with the following text:

5.6.2
			Flammability
The
			life preserver and package shall be constructed of material that
			meets the requirements of the latest amendment of CS-25, Appendix
			F, Part I. The definition and use of parts that are considered to
			be small parts (e.g. oral inflation tubes, clips, etc.) that would
			not contribute significantly to the propagation of a fire must be
			coordinated in advance with EASA.
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Page
			17, replace Subsection 5.6.3 with the following text:

5.6.3
			Permeability
The
			permeability shall be tested in accordance with the permeability
			test procedure in FTMS 191, Method 5460; or alternatively, ASTM
			D1434-82, Procedure V may be used. The permeameter shall be
			calibrated for the gas that is used.
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Page
			18, replace Subsection 5.7.1 with the following text:

5.7.1
			Pull Force
The
			pull force necessary to operate the opening mechanism shall be
			mechanically demonstrated not to exceed 9 pounds (40 N), or
			the opening of the mechanism shall be demonstrated in less than 7
			seconds by at least 8 of 10 females over the age of 60, without
			any preview of the instructions. The timing shall start
			when the test participant has both hands on the package and is
			ready to open it, and shall end when the package is fully opened
			(e.g. the pull tab/strip is completely removed). A nick or cut
			shall not be introduced in the edge of the material at the tear
			line unless it is normally a part of the package design. In cases
			for which additional participants are required, 75 % of the
			total number of test participants for each demonstration must
			complete the opening of the package within the allowed time.
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Page
			18, replace Subsection 5.7.2 with the following text:

5.7.2
			Operation of the Opening Mechanism
Operation
			of the opening mechanism shall be demonstrated within 10
			seconds by 
8 of 10 females with reduced dexterity simulated
			by the Chilled Hands or Gloved Hands Test Method, and without a
			preview of the instructions. The timing shall start when
			the test participant has both hands on the package and is ready to
			open it, and end when the life preserver is fully removed from the
			package. In cases for which additional participants are required,
			75 % of the total number of test participants for each
			demonstration must complete the opening of the package within the
			allowed time.
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Page
			18, replace Subsection 5.8 with the following text:

5.8
			Comprehensibility
Comprehensibility
			shall be demonstrated by 5 out of 6 test subjects, tested
			independently, using an open-ended answer format (see examples in
ANSI Z535 or ISO 9186:2001) and/or a successful empirical
			demonstration of the equipment or feature.
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Page
			18, add new Subsection 5.9 as follows:

5.9
			Tether Attachment Test

Demonstrate
			that the means of attachment, on the tether of the infant-small
			child life preserver, is operable using either the Chilled Hands
			or Gloved Hands Test Method (see 2.3 Definitions). At least 4 out
			of 5 test subjects shall secure the means of attachment of the
			life preserver. In cases for which additional participants are
			required, 75 % of the total number of test participants for
			each demonstration must complete the attachment task. This test
			may be performed on dry land.
NOTE:
			The attachment should be demonstrated in the manner in which it is
			designed to be used; it should be attached to something as
			designed.
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Appendix
			A
</td>
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No
			change
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Appendix
			B
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No
			change
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Appendix
			C
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Page
			24, replace Appendix C with Appendix 2 Tests Involving Subjects.
See
			Appendix 2 on the final page.
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Page
			25, add a new Appendix D as follows:

Appendix
			D — Donning Test Briefings

You
			must use the following scripts for the donning-test briefing. For
			the assisted donning tests, substitute the appropriate donning
			time requirement as specified in Subsection 3.9. The scripts may
			be modified as applicable for constant wear life preservers that
			are designed to be partially donned during flight.

General
			introduction briefing script:

You
			are participating in a passenger safety study to determine how
			long it takes to put on an aircraft life preserver. You are seated
			in a seat that is similar to those found on passenger aeroplanes;
			please fasten your seatbelt [pause until all seatbelts are
			fastened].

The
			test will simulate an actual airline emergency; your goal is to
			put on the life preserver as quickly as possible within 25 seconds
			or less. Video cameras will record your actions.

To
			start the test, your instructor will say: ‘3, 2, 1, go!’ This
			is your signal to open the package and put on the life preserver.

Following
			this introduction, a video of a simulated passenger information
			briefing will be presented. After the video, you will be handed
			your life preserver package.

[Optional:
			Before the video, please review the safety information card for
			additional instructions on putting on the life preserver.]

Preflight
			video briefing script:

This
			test will simulate an actual airline emergency; your goal is to
			put on the life preserver as quickly as possible within 25 seconds
			or less. To start the test, your instructor will say: ‘3, 2, 1,
			go!’ This is your signal to open the package and put on the life
			preserver.

To
			put on your life preserver: 


Pull
			the tab and tear open the package.

Remove
			the life preserver from the package.

Pull
			the life preserver over your head.

Grab
			the waist strap and wrap it around your waist.

Insert
			the clip into the buckle and pull the end of the waist strap to
			tighten the belt.
Raise
			your arms when you have finished.
</td>
</tr>
</table>

[Amdt ETSO/1]

[Amdt ETSO/16]