Navy life rafts have alkaline D-cells heat sealed into a poly bag with a dessicant packet with the cells lined up so the contacts can't touch. They are are stored in this manner for the five-year certification cycle of the raft. Instances of corroded cells are rare and usually are limited to cheapo batter brands.

After five years the output isn't as good as new, but there seems to be no reduction of the burn time.

In the not too distant future we'll be switching everything to CR-123A 3V lithium batteries.

Regards,

Tom A.