How should the Mustang Ice Rescue Suit be maintained?

Proper maintenance of a Mustang Ice Rescue Suit is critical to ensure it remains watertight, thermally protective, and ready for emergency use. Mustang's maintenance recommendations include:

After Every Use

• Rinse the entire suit thoroughly with fresh water, especially after exposure to salt water, mud, or contaminated water.
• Pay close attention to the zipper, neck seal, wrist seals, and boots to remove sand, grit, and debris.

Cleaning

• Wash with a mild detergent and warm water.
• For dry suits, machine wash only on a gentle cycle in a front-loading washer (or top-loader without an agitator) using a mild detergent.
• Do not use:
  • Bleach
  • Fabric softener
  • Dry cleaning
  • Ironing
  • Petroleum-based cleaners or solvents
• Tumble dry using an air-only (no heat) setting or hang dry completely before storage.

Zipper Care

The waterproof zipper is one of the most important components.

• Clean the zipper after use with fresh water and a soft brush if needed.
• Lubricate only with the zipper lubricant recommended by Mustang.
• Do not lubricate the zipper teeth unless specified for your zipper model—apply lubricant only where directed by Mustang (typically the sealing surfaces or docking end).
• Operate the zipper several times after lubrication to distribute the lubricant evenly.

Inspection

Inspect the suit before and after each use for:

• Tears or punctures
• Worn or damaged neck and wrist seals
• Boot damage
• Loose stitching
• Reflective tape condition
• Smooth zipper operation
• Harness and attachment points (if equipped)

Any leaks or significant damage should be repaired by an authorized Mustang repair facility.

Storage

• Ensure the suit is completely dry.
• Hang it in a cool, dry location with the zipper open (for dry suits) unless the model-specific instructions state otherwise.
• Avoid direct sunlight, excessive heat, chemicals, or compression under heavy objects.
• Never store the suit damp, as this can promote mildew and damage materials.

Annual Maintenance

At least once each year:

• Perform a detailed inspection.
• Check zipper function and lubricate it.
• Inspect all seals for cracking or deterioration.
• Pressure-test the suit for leaks if your department's maintenance program requires it.
• Replace worn seals or damaged components before the suit is returned to service.

If you're referring to the Mustang Ice Commander immersion suit or a specific Mustang Ice Rescue Dry Suit model (such as the MSD576 or another model), I can provide the exact manufacturer maintenance schedule and inspection checklist for that model.

Ice Commander

For the Mustang Ice Commander® Rescue Suit (IC9001), Mustang Survival recommends a formal maintenance program consisting of cleaning, inspection, zipper care, and proper storage.

After Every Use

• Rinse the suit with fresh water if exposed to salt water, mud, or contaminants.
• Remove the inner buoyancy liner before cleaning.
• Wash both the outer shell and liner with mild detergent and cold or warm water.
• Use a soft brush for stubborn stains.
• Do not use petroleum solvents, bleach, or dry clean the suit, as these can damage the waterproof materials.

Waterproof Zipper Care

The zipper is the most critical maintenance item.

• Clean away mud, sand, and salt using warm, soapy water.
• Rinse thoroughly and allow it to dry.
• Apply a recommended zipper lubricant (Mustang recommends Zip Tech by McNett or Ortlieb zipper lubricant) to the outer zipper elements only.
• Open and close the zipper twice after lubricating.
• Store the suit with the zipper open.
• If the suit is used daily, perform zipper cleaning and lubrication at least weekly.

Annual Inspection

At least once each year:

• Separate the liner from the shell.
• Inspect the entire suit for:
  • Cuts, punctures, tears, or abrasion
  • Material deterioration
  • Harness webbing wear
  • Proper operation of the safety clip
• Cycle the zipper several times to verify smooth operation and lubricate it afterward.

Storage

Before storing:

• Make sure the suit is completely dry.
• Reinstall the buoyancy liner correctly.
• Roll the suit according to Mustang's folding instructions and place it in its storage bag.
• Store it in a cool, dry location.
• Never place heavy objects on top of the suit, as compressing the foam liner can permanently reduce buoyancy.

Repairs

• Minor or major damage should be repaired only by a Mustang-authorized repair station.
• Tears, punctures, seam damage, chemical exposure, or heat damage should be evaluated by the manufacturer or an authorized service center.
• Authorized service centers can inspect the suit, repair holes and seam leaks, and replace entry zippers when necessary.

Department Best Practice

For fire departments and rescue teams, a practical maintenance schedule is:

Interval	Maintenance
After every deployment	Clean, dry, inspect, lubricate zipper
Monthly	Detailed inspection of shell, liner, harness, boots, gloves, reflective tape, and zipper
Annually	Complete inspection and documentation; send for professional repair if defects are found
After any damage	Remove from service until repaired

This schedule aligns well with NFPA equipment maintenance practices and helps maximize the service life of the Ice Commander suits.