Final answer:
A life preserver is beyond repair when deflated and irreparable. Minor issues like tears or missing straps can often be fixed, but safety should always be the priority, and any compromised life preserver should be replaced.
Step-by-step explanation:
A life preserver is considered beyond repair when it is deflated, particularly if it cannot be re-inflated or retains air poorly. Although a tear or missing straps may seem severe, these can often be repaired. Discoloration alone doesn't necessarily affect the functionality of a life preserver, but if it indicates degradation of the material, it may render the device unreliable. However, for safety reasons, any damage to a life preserver should be assessed by a professional, and if any doubt exists about its reliability, it should be replaced.
For example, similar to how a voyage wasn't delayed when the bottle shattered, a life preserver with minor issues might not be considered beyond repair immediately. But akin to how the haystack was important because the cloth ripped, a life preserver must remain intact to perform its critical function of keeping an individual afloat. In comparison, notes being sour when the seams split underline the importance of maintaining integrity in life-saving equipment.