Why Is CO₂ Used to Inflate Life Rafts?

520g & 33g CO₂ cylinders

CO₂ is commonly used to inflate life rafts and inflatable life jackets because it is an inert, non-flammable, inexpensive gas which is easily obtained and cheap to manufacture worldwide. The 2 man coastal life raft and dan buoy both use CO₂ inflation cylinders.

Click to learn more about carbon dioxide. Inert means the gas is non–reactive. By contrast, air, which contains O₂, can cause metal parts to oxidize over time. Nitrogen, another inert gas, can alternatively be used to inflate life jackets or life rafts.

Cost Comparison of CO₂ vs. N

James Wuerth, president of Kinder Morgan CO₂ division, says it costs about $2.50 to $3.00 to capture, clean, and compress carbon dioxide, per thousand cubic feet. By contrast, Nitrogen gas prices range from $20 to $27.50 per 1000 cubic feet, depending on purity.