During an A-Check of a B757-200 aircraft; a Line Mechanic notices Security Seals used on the individual cabin Life vest compartment doors were the same type of Non-breakaway seals used exclusively in lavatories for shrouds and smoke detectors. He had great difficulty removing each vest. The B757 Maintenance Manual (M/M) Chapter 25-62-99 does not specify what type of seal to use.

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Reporter stated he also found Non-breakaway Security Seals installed on compartment doors that hold the individual life vest for each seat in their First Class section; not just in Business. They have different seat configurations for their B757's; but the same problem exists whether in First or Business. The life vest compartment and doors are located either on the center console between the seats or down by one's ankle. Reporter stated he realized something was seriously wrong when he tried to remove an undated life vest from one of the hard plastic compartment's by pulling on the red tab sticking out from the vest. He had to exert considerable effort to pull the vest from the compartment; the tape did not break; but did finally separate from the compartment; allowing the door to open so he could remove the life vest. Numerous life vests had to be replaced because the white tabs with a visible date for the life vests that should be attached to a ring on the red 'pull' tabs were missing; mostly from being worn off by contact with passengers. Reporter stated the seal tape over the life vest compartment doors was rectangular in shape and is the same type of tape seal used in lavatories for toilet shrouds; wall panels and overhead smoke detectors. The rectangular shaped tape seals have the words 'Security Seal' visible on the face of the seal; and are not designed to 'Breakaway'. On the B747s; B777s and B767s that he has worked; the seals over the life vest compartment doors have the shape of an hour-glass and will breakaway when pulled against and do not have the words 'Security Seal' on them. He believes there is a slight difference in coloration between the two types of seals.Reporter stated the B757 Maintenance Manual (M/M) Chapter 25-62-99 does not specify what seal to use as does the other M/Ms for the B777s; B747s and B767s. Although he has been informed their Engineering will be making revisions to the M/M to use the 'Breakaway' hour-glass shaped seals; no one has addressed the issue about the other B757s that are flying and that have not been rechecked. The belief is the incorrect seals were; or are; being installed during a Heavy Check at a Contract Maintenance Station. But then again; his fellow mechanics are apparently 'not' noticing the differences in the shape of the seals or the words 'Security Seal' either; when they perform their cabin Emergency Equipment A-Check.