Lifejacket Guide

Types of lifejackets
and buoyancy aids
Stay safe and be seen on
the water
Life Jacket
• Open-waterdeviceassistsinturningwearerto
safeoatingposition
Use:
 •Inboatsinopenwater
 •Whenearlyrescueisnotalwaysexpected
Minimum Specification:
 •100N+10%
 •Inatable-150N
Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
• Limitedcapacitytoturnwearertosafeoating
position
• Willnotholdheadabovewaterifunconscious
• Improveschancesofsurvival,butdoesn’t
guaranteesafety&ultimaterescue
Use:
 •Inshore,whenearlyrescueisexpected
Minimum Specification:
 •71N+10%
 •Inatable-100N
Buoyancy Vest
• Notdesignedtoturnwearertosafeoatingposition
• Willassistinsupportingwearerinwater
Use:
 •Smoothwater,aquaticsports
 • Short-termimmersion
Minimum Specification:
• 53N+10%
life jackets and
personal flotation devices
How to nd the
correct size
YourlifejacketorPFDmust
tsnugly,butnotbetootight
Step 1
Checkthelabelforyoursizeandweightandtryiton
forsize.
Step 2
Zipitup,fastenbeltsrmly,andmakesureit’ssnug.
Step 3
Raisearmsaboveheadandgentlypullontopsof
armholes.Itshouldnotrideup.
Step 4
Sitdownandcheckthatthelifejacketdoesnotrideup.
For children
• Notsuitableforbabiesandinfants
• Lifejackets,PFDsandbuoyancyaidswillnot
guaranteetoturnayoungchildupwardsinthewater
• Choosealifejacketthatwillsupportthechildin
ahead-uppositionwiththenoseandmouthwell
clearofthewater
• Keepchildreninsightandwithinatarm’slength
atalltimes.Childrenshouldbeunderconstant
competentadultsupervision
• Ensurethejacketisttedsnuglytothechildwith
crotchstrapssecure
Guide for children
Allchildrenaredifferent,soensurejacketisttedsnugly.
0-2 yrs <15kg Notrecommendedfor
babies/infants
2-4 yrs 15–17.5kg XS/S
3-4 yrs 17.5–24kg S
5-9 yrs 25–40kg M