*Here are some of the testimonials that were sent to us by our customers.
Testimonial #11
September 2001
"Please inspect this raft. It was used recently in a water-training exercise. We are happy to report it performed flawlessly even after being hauled around in our helicopters for 8 years! Thank you."
Lieutenant Joe C. Johnston Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Lake City, FLTestimonial #10
August 2001
"This letter is to confirm that on August 1, 2001, I witnessed and participated in the testing of Survival Products, Inc. 12-person aircraft life raft, test plan RAF1212 Sea trials. The test conditions or 17-27 knots and sea conditions of 8 to 10 feet were verified through local weather reports and actually observed during the test. 12 persons with an average of 170 lbs. were embarked in the above noted life raft and remained aboard for approximately one hour in the above noted conditions. One of the inflated sponson (inflated buoyancy tube) was deflated and the life raft remained stable."
Captain Paul Culver Fort Lauderdale, FLTestimonal #8
May 2001
"My wife and I have carried one of your life rafts, model No. 1400-1, serial No. 19933HE, for about 11 years. First, in a sailboat that we sailed to Mexico from San Francisco twice and then transferred the raft to a powerboat and took this boat to Mexico twice, also. We never had the raft inspected. Not being able to rely on the raft, we decided to get rid of it. We did not want someone to pick the raft out of the trash and believing that they had a reliable raft, so we decided to inflate the raft.
To our surprise, the raft was in perfect shape. There were no signs of wear or chafe. After this demonstration, we are thinking of purchsing another raft. We are still in Mexico, but will be in Campbell, California in about 2 months for a visit. Please send us more literature on your life rafts. Thank you."
Gilbert Thomas Campbell, CaliforniaTestimonal #7
Testimonial #6
February, 1998
"We have been purchasing and using your equipment for more than twenty years. Until October of '97, we never had the opportunity to test one of your products. We were returning on a modified Piper PA-18A from Cancun, Mexico to Key West, Florida when the power plant failed and the aircraft landed in the water about 60 miles west of Key West and 50 miles north of the Cuban coast.
Both the jacket and raft performed well... until the Navy guys rescued us in a helicopter. All's well that ends well. Thanks for the superior products."
Testimonial #4
October, 1997
"This past summer I had an unfortunate incident when I lost power in my pressurized Cessna 210 in the Florida Panhandle and had to land the plane in the water. Luckily, I was prepared with a Survival Product raft. Immediately upon hitting the surface we inflated our raft. The weight and the size of the raft did not slow us down in the escape of the aircraft. In fact, it floated and was waiting for us when we surfaced.
Over the past years I have been fortunate to be carrying a Survival Products raft as have my other fellow pilot acquaintances. You can never predict when you might be in need of it. Be prepared for the worst in any over water operations whether in familiar flying grounds or foreign waters.
The staff at Survival Products is very personable and attentive to your needs. They understand the dangers a pilot, boater, hiker, or camper might face and they are prepared to help you make the most of your trip or hobby. Thanks again for your help."
Testimonial #3
March 1997
"I've been flying the Caribbean for over 21 years, both as a military fighter and as a General Aviation pilot and aircraft owner. I've flown with a number of different survival rafts, but the Survival Products raft is the one I purchased. It's small size and light weight make it easier to get out of the aircraft if it's ever needed (I can't think of anything more useless than a raft that's so big and cumbersome that it goes down with the ship.) Additionally, its compact design makes it easier to carry back and forth between the airport and your hotel. Like my Mom always told me, "If you want it be there when you get back, take it with you!
When dealing with Survival Products, you're dealing with a family-owned business - no talking to a manager or supervisor. I like that."
Testimonial #2
May, 1995
"While fishing off the southeastern end of Puerto Rico (about 10 miles out), we hooked a large Blue Marlin (estimated at over 600 lbs.). We fought the fish until we suddenly took a large wave over the transom. My mate, Ito Velazquez, notified that the water was about 8-10 inches deep in the cockpit. I ordered the fishing line cut and the crew started bailing the boat by hand. However, a second wave came in over the transom and the boat was going down. I barely had time to call Mayday and give the position. The boat was sinking fast. My mate swam up to the bridge and we got out the inflatable raft and pulled the cord inflating it. I credit the raft with saving our lives. There were a total of 6 adults floating on this raft until we were picked up by the U.S. Navy. We were on the raft for over an hour.
As we were in the deep water with sharks, had we not had the raft, some of us might not be here today. I will have this type of raft from Survival Products, Inc. before I venture out from shore in my boat."
November, 1993
"This letter hereby commends you on the design and quality manufacture of your 4-man raft which was successfully utilized in the ditching of my Cessna 210 about 20 miles off the coast of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This incident occurred on my flight from Grand Cayman to Fort Lauderdale.
The engine quit at about 3000 feet, I radioed in my position and tried to ease the plane into the water at stall speed but got down into a swell of the 6-8 foot seas and was swatted out the air by a wave crest. I could not immediately open the door due to outside water pressure and waited until the plane interior almost filled with water. Then I grabbed the raft which had conveniently floated to the top, opened the door, held my breath and swam out as the plane sank. I pulled the raft inflation cord and it was ready for boarding in seconds. I climbed in and fended the 8-foot seas for about 1 hour until the Coast Guard helicopter arrived.
The life raft floatability enabled me to easily locate it as the plane interior filled with water. The raft's compact pack, size, and lightweight allowed me to easily swim underwater with it out of the plane to the surface where it was inflated while treading water. It inflated in a matter of seconds and withstood the 8-foot seas with a high degree of stability while the sea anchor/valise minimized drift allowing the Coast Guard to readily locate me from my radioed position.
Thank you for producing this high quality, lightweight, compact life raft which is easy to take on flights and provides the important flotation in time of emergency. I will always make sure I have your raft with me on overwater flights."