Buoyancy Aids Life Jackets And Impact Vests

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD), Buoyancy Aids, Life Jackets And Impact Vests.

A personal floatation device is an essential safety item for most watersports, be it boating, canoeing, jetskiing, wakeboarding or waterskiing.  The Jet Ski Lake requires that: any person on the water must be wearing a correctly fitted Buoyancy Aid or PFD and Helmet at all times.  So just what is the difference between Personal Floatation Devices (PFD), Buoyancy Aids, Life Jackets And Impact Vests?

Personal Floatation Devices (PFD)

A personal flotation device is any device designed to assist a wearer, either conscious or unconscious, to keep afloat.

Impact Vests

An impact Vest is a type of personal flotation device designed for use if the wearer may hit the water at speed and provides the buoyancy required. An impact vest provides protection against impacts to the torso area and lessens the risk of injury and bruising.  Particularly good for jetskiing, wakeboarding, and of course waterskiing.  (Most impact vest have a buoyancy rating of 50N, see below for more information.)

Buoyancy Aid

A buoyancy aid is a garment or device with an inherently buoyant material that helps the wearer to remain afloat when in the water.

Life Jackets

A lifejacket is a type of personal flotation device designed to keep your airway clear of the water whether the wearer is conscious or unconscious. They can come in two types, inflatable and foam.

Buoyancy Aid Categories

Newtons

The effectiveness of a buoyancy aid or life jacket is measured in Newtons and the buoyancy in Newtons ranges from 50 to 275, depending on the type of use required.

EN393 50 Newton Lifejacket
Buoyancy: 11lbs/5.5kg

These types of PFD's are only suitable for competent swimmers in sheltered water use where help is close to hand.  They only provide support to a conscious person who can help themselves.  They come in a range of style and colours and provide the minimum about of buoyancy.

EN395 100 Newton Lifejacket
Buoyancy: 23lbs/11kg

These types of PFD's are suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers in inshore and calm sheltered waters.  They may not have sufficient buoyancy to self right an unconscious person.

EN396 150 Newton Lifejacket
Buoyancy: 33lbs/16kg

These types of PFD's are suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers on coastal and inshore waters when sailing and fishing.  They can be used in all but the most severe conditions.  They should have sufficient buoyancy to self right an unconscious person, but may not be as effective in rolling an unconscious user wearing waterproof clothing.

EN399 275 Newton Lifejacket
Buoyancy: 62lbs/28kg

These types of PFD's are suitable for swimmers and non-swimmers and are recommended for offshore cruising, fishing and commercial users.  Designed for when maximum performance is required and intended for extreme condition or where heavy waterproof clothing is worn.  They are designed to ensure a consious or unconcious person is floating in the correct position with nose and mouth clear of the water.