In all other respects the rafts remain the same. These rafts are also available in an optional hard pack designed to fit specific aircraft. This reversible raft has some unique features that set it apart from all of the other rafts. That might not be the case with fixed wing aircraft. It is also worth noting that both pilots and passengers in North Sea and most other similar offshore operations receive considerable water survival training including dunker training and training in the use of the life raft.
Training can overcome some otherwise significant flaws in any life raft.
Their old raft designs were inherited from Sergeant-Pico when that company was purchased by BFGoodrich. Those old designs were never certified to the current TSO, a shortcoming of which few purchasers were likely aware and about which BFGoodrich never made any effort to advise customers. In 1996 we tested the 10-person prototype for these rafts. In 2000 we tested production versions of the four and 12-person rafts. Survival Products introduced their first TSO'd life rafts in 1999.