How to choose the right lifejacket?

Lifejacket, PFD (Personal Floatation Device), buoyancy aid, life vest.. whatever you call them they are all designed for one main purpose which is to aid your floatation.

Drivers wear a seatbelt,
Motorcyclists wear a helmets,
Skydivers wear a parachute,
Boaters wear a lifejacket..

Understanding the buoyancy of a PFD, lifejacket or buoyancy aid:

A Newton is a measurement in relation to a buoyancy aid / lifejacket this is how much weight it can support.

Lifejackets:

150 Newton or above Lifejacket: Use on coastal or Offshore waters. It is designed to turn an unconscious casualty onto their back and keep their face out of the water.

275 Newton Lifejacket: Use on Offshore waters. Functions the same way as a 150N but has a higher Newton value to cater for the wearer having heavier clothing / equipment.

Buoyancy Aids:

50 Newton or above Buoyancy Aid: Generally known as a 'buoyancy aid' to be used in more sheltered conditions where you are 'in company' if assistance was required. Used by those doing watersports such as dinghy sailing, kayaking, waterskiing, jet skiing etc

100 Newton Buoyancy Aid: Sheltered or calm waters, it is unlikely to turn you onto your back if you were unconscious but is more supportive that a 50 Newton version.

Correct fitting:

If a lifejacket / PFD / Buoyancy Aid fits properly:

It will help keep your head above water. If its too big it will ride up around your face, if its too small is won't keep you afloat.

Always try it on for size
Check the table to ensure its correct for your size & weight
Make sure it correctly fastens
Hold your arms above your head and get someone to tug it gently upwards to check it does not ride up over your face/chin..

Types of Lifejacket / Buoyancy Aids & Personal Floatation Devices:

Auto Inflation:

Inflates automatically upon immersion.
Comfortable & cool
May turn unconscious wearer face up
Requires regular maintenance
Not suitable for 'wet' watersports i.e. waterskiing, jet skiing etc.

Manual Inflation:

Only Inflates manually upon immersion.
Comfortable & cool
May turn unconscious wearer face up
Requires regular maintenance
Not suitable for 'wet' watersports i.e. waterskiing, jet skiing etc.

Buoyancy Aid:

Fixed buoyancy, great for children and people nervous around the water
Requires little maintenance

Buoyancy Aid:

Comfortable
Good freedom of movement
Requires little maintenance
Unlikely to turn unconscious wearers face up
Suitable for watersports i.e. kayaking, dinghy sailing, windsurfing

Impact Buoyancy Aid:

Designed to keep you afloat in possible immersion
Requires little maintenance
Rugged construction
Designed for high impact/speed watersports i.e. waterskiing, wake boarding, jetskiiing

Impact Vest:

Requires little maintenance
Designed for high impact / speed watersports i..e waterskiing, wake boarding
Little or no floatation

What type of PFD / lifejacket / buoyancy aid should I use?

A buoyancy aid has fixed integral buoyant foam, vs a lifejacket that is inflated when you need it !

50 N + Buoyancy aid

Dinghy Sailing
Windsurfing
Kayaking / Canoeing
Stand Up Paddle Boarding

50 N Impact Buoyancy Aid

Jetskiing
Waterskiing / Wakeboarding
Tow Inflatables

100 N Buoyancy Aid

Non-swimmers going afloat in sheltered waters

150 + Newton Manual Lifejacket

Powerboating / Sailing / Motorcruising in Coastal or Near Offshore Waters

150 + Newton Automatic Lifejacket

Powerboating / Sailing / Motorcruising in Coastal or Offshore Waters

275 Newton Automatic Lifejacket

Powerboating / Sailing / Motorcruising in Offshore Waters
Working in heavier clothing / equipment / tools

Manual vs. Automatic Gas Inflation Lifejackets:

Manual Inflation Lifejackets:

Inflated only by manually pulling a cord
Good for use in 'wet' environments i.e. lots of water spray where you don't want it to inflate accidentally
Does not work unless you pull the cord, therefore if you are incapacitated it won't help you!

Automatic Inflation Lifejackets:

Either water or pressure (hydrostatic) activated
Water activated lifejackets are more cost effective and can be easier to maintain
Both automatic systems (assuming correctly maintained) will inflate when / if you fell in the water.

Water Pressure Activated (Hydrostatic) Automatic Inflation Lifejackets:

Pressure (Hydrostatic) activation is great if you get lots of water spray as it will only activate when the lifejacket is submerged in water (approx 10cm) i.e. if you fell in.

How does a Lifejacket work?

Dependant on whether your lifejacket is manual or automatic will depend when / how it is inflated - either way they do inflate (assuming correctly maintained). When activated the CO2 cannister inflates the bladder and will rotate you so you are face up in the water.