Canadian Coast Guard Circular
09-2020 COVID-19 - How to Clean Mustang Survival Products During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Target audience

All seagoing personnel on board a vessel including supernumeraries.

Purpose

This circular provides instructions on how to clean and store Mustang Survival Products during a COVID-19 pandemic.

Background

In light of the current COVID-19 pandemic context, Mustang Survival is making recommendations to the users of their products in order to minimize the risk of contagion.

Required action

In order to properly clean and store your Mustang Survival products, the following instructions must be followed. To clean your product, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water. Rinse your personal flotation device (PFD) with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger.

• If you are washing an inflatable PFD, the device should be disarmed. The inflatable PFDs can be rinsed (once disarmed), but it is not recommended to submerge the products completely.
• If your device utilizes Hammar inflation technology (HIT), or an HIT product, it is important to not allow any water into the bladder of the inflator after it has been disarmed. If you accidently get water in the bladder, it must be emptied prior to re-arming your device. Failure to do this may result in the inflator being rendered inoperable.
• Do not dry-clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat.
• Always store your fully dried PFD in a warm, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

Attached is a bulletin distributed by Mustang Survival which contains detailed information on how to clean and store Mustang Survival products during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Enquiries

Enquiries regarding this circular should be directed to:

Director, Operational Personnel
InfoPol@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Annex I - Mustang Survival Quality Bulletin – COVID-19 Virus – Cleaning and Storing of Mustang Survival Product

April 16th, 2020 - Quality bulletin

COVlD-19 Virus - Cleaning and Storing of Mustang Survival Product

In light of recent world events, and the spread of COVID-19 virus, Mustang is making recommendations on how to properly clean and store your Mustang Survival Product. These recommendations do not guarantee complete disinfection; they are in place to minimize risk to yourself and others.

If you think your product has been exposed to a virus, clean as recommended by Mustang Survival and then let dry in warm, low humidity environment for at least 72 hours before reuse.

Cleaning PFDs (Including Floater™ Coats & Jackets)

It is important to note that if you are washing an inflatable PFD, the device should be disarmed (if it is automatic) so that any chance of accidental inflation is mitigated. The inflatable PFD's can be rinsed (once disarmed), but it is not recommended to submerge the products completely.

If your device utilizes a Hammar MA 1 lnflator (on our Hammar Inflation Technology, or HIT products), it is important to not allow any water into the bladder after it has been disarmed. If you accidently get water in the bladder, it must be emptied prior to re-arming your device; failure to do this may result in the inflator being rendered inoperable.

Any of Mustang's foam flotation products (PFDs, floater coats/jackets) can be rinsed, and submerged, without issue at any time during the cleaning process.

To clean your PFD, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water, taking care not to submerge if it is an inflatable. Rinse your PFD with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Do not dry-clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. Always store your fully dried PFD in a warm, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

Mustang also recommends IOSSO Mold & Mildew Stain Remover for cleaning the outer cover of your PFD - IOSSO Product Webpage. It should be noted that other cleaning products for fabrics may function just as well, but results cannot be guaranteed.

Cleaning Waterproof Breathable Dry Wear (Dry Suits, Jackers, etc)

The following applies to all waterproof breathable fabrics, except for any Nomex® products.

To clean your dry wear, hand wash or sponge down in warm, soapy water; do not use harsh cleaning agents. Do not dry-clean, use chlorine bleach, or apply direct heat. These will cause issues with the Durable Water Repellent (DWR) on the fabric, which is what provides the water repellency.

Rinse with clean water and hang to dry on a plastic coat hanger. Always store your fully dried product in a warm, dry, well ventilated place out of direct sunlight.

For cleaning of Nomex® breathable fabrics, it is recommended to follow Dupont's cleaning guide; Technical Guide for Nomex® Brand Fabric.

Product Use

If you must reuse your product within 72 hours, the following precautionary guidance is suggested.

• COVID-19 virus may exist 3 days on or in clothing. Virus can exist longer on porous surfaces.
• Synthetic fabrics, plastic and metal surfaces may harbor the virus longer.
  
• Buckles, zippers, other hardware and hook/loop fasteners (e.g. Velcro®) are hard to clean due to crevasses and metal/plastic construction.
  
• Using 60 - 90% solutions of alcohol sprayed/wetted on these components is acceptable.
  
• Avoid spraying inflatables with specific disinfectants that are detrimental to the fabric. e.g. bleach-based products.
  
• Do not machine launder PFDs or life jackets.
• Products should be hand-washed with gloved hands - wash as hot as possible (< 60°C) to kill virus.
  
• Ensuring complete drying is critical, heated air drying is encouraged < 60°C
• Virus likes moisture and can survive in cold - virus dies by drying out and by heat, which some fibers can enhance.
• This pandemic is a new challenge and it is tru ly not known how all materials and the virus respond to laundry.
• If hang to air dry, allow 72 hours (3 days) before reuse.
• Do not share garments.

Remember that it is not possible to carry out or guarantee complete disinfection, the goal is to minimize risk.

Please contact Mustang Survival Corporate Quality for any necessary clarifications or questions regarding the above recommendations.

Any questions, please contact:

Paul Heel,
Corporate Quality Manager, Mustang Survival.
(604) 244-6752