These entries apply to life-saving appliances such as life rafts, personal flotation devices and self-inflating slides. UN No. 2990 applies to self-inflating appliances and UN No. 3072 applies to life-saving appliances that are not self-inflating. Life-saving appliances may contain:

(a) Signal devices (Class 1) which may include smoke and illumination signal flares packed in packagings that prevent them from being inadvertently activated;

(b) For UN No. 2990 only, cartridges, power device of Division 1.4, compatibility group S, may be contained for purposes of the self-inflating mechanism and provided that the quantity of explosives per appliance does not exceed 3.2 g;

(c) Class 2 compressed or liquefied gases, group A or O, according to 2.2.2.1.3;

(d) Electric storage batteries (Class 8) and lithium batteries or sodium ion batteries (Class 9);

(e) First aid kits or repair kits containing small quantities of dangerous goods (e.g. substances of Class 3, 4.1, 5.2, 8 or 9); or

(f) "Strike anywhere" matches packed in packagings that prevent them from being inadvertently activated.

Life-saving appliances packed in strong rigid outer packagings with a total maximum gross mass of 40 kg, containing no dangerous goods other than compressed or liquefied gases of Class 2, group A or group O, in receptacles with a capacity not exceeding 120 ml, installed solely for the purpose of the activation of the appliance, are not subject to the requirements of RID.