The Ultimate Life Jacket Guide

As sailors ourselves, we understand how paramount having the best possible safety equipment is. This safety equipment starts with the most important bit of personal equipment of them all, a life jacket.

Within this blog post we’ll be looking at the following:

If you click on any of the bullet points below, you'll jump to the respective section.

• Inflation Types.
• Buoyancy & ISO Approval.
• Life Jacket Sizing.
• Harnesses & Safety Lines.
• Life Jacket Accessories.
• Replacing A Life Jacket.
• Children's Life Jackets.
• Pet Life Jackets.

We'll then round the blog post off with some of our most Frequently Asked Questions.

Inflation Types:

Automatic Life Jackets:

Automatic life jackets contain a mechanism that when wet, activates a sensor that fires and activates a gas bottle, releasing CO2 which then inflates the life jacket. An automatic life jacket will still inflate, even if the casualty is unconscious or disorientated. All automatic life jackets contain a manual pull string as a back-up.

Popular uses of automatic life jackets:

• Boaters and sailors, especially when travelling in open waters.
• Fishermen - particularly those who are fishing alone in areas with strong currents or choppy waters.

Manual Life Jackets:

A manual life jacket will only inflate when the string is pulled, activating the sensor that fires and activates the gas bottle, inflating the life jacket.

Popular uses of manual life jackets:

• Those working in confined spaces where bladder inflation may hinder an attempt to get to safety.
• Kayakers or paddle boarders who want the extra buoyancy provided to them by a life jacket, but will only need to inflate the life jacket in an emergency.

Hammar Life Jackets:

A hammar life jacket works similarly to an automatic life jacket, however the mechanism will only be activated when the sensor is approximately ten centimetres below the water and is fully submerged. All hammar life jackets contain a manual pull string as a back-up.

Popular uses of hammar hydrostatic life jackets:

• Those sailing offshore or in rough weather conditions, where spray may cause an automatic life jacket to accidentally inflate.

Pro Sensor Life Jackets:

A pro sensor life jacket is similar to a hammar life jacket, but instead of using a pressurized system, uses a water-activated system. The firing mechanism contains a paper casule that dissolves when wet, which then releases a spring to puncture the CO2 cylinder, thus inflating the life jacket. Pro sensor life jackets are designed to ensure that only water flowing upwards through the unit will cause it to activate.

Popular uses of pro sensor life jackets:

• Those sailing offshore or in rough weather conditions, where spray may cause an automatic life jacket to accidentally inflate.

For more information on life jacket inflation methods, we highly recommend reading our life jacket inflation guide.

Buoyancy & ISO Approval:

In July 1995 a law came in that made it illegal to sell life jackets or buoyancy aids that have not been tested to European or International specifications.

All of the life jackets we sell have the relevant CE or ISO marks.

There are four main classifications for ISO Approval:

Life jacket buoyancy is measured in Newtons (N). 10 Newtons = 1KG of Buoyancy.

Here's a breakdown of the different buoyancy standards:

50N (ISO12402-5):
IS12402-5 is the standard for 50N buoyancy aids. Ideal for watersports use, including dinghy and keelboat sailing, children's and adult buoyancy aids should only be used in calm, sheltered waters where help is close at hand if required. Buoyancy aids will simply assist the wearer in the water and will not turn over an unconscious casualty.

100N (ISO12402-4):
This is the ISO standard for adult and kids life jackets. 100N life jackets should only be used in calm or sheltered waters, and will not turn over an unconscious casualty.

150N (ISO12402-3):
150 newton life jackets are suitable for coastal and inshore waters, but can also be used for general offshore and rough weather use. If the user is not wearing heavy clothing, there is typically enough buoyancy to keep a man overboard’s face out of the water. All junior life jackets and adult life jackets meet ISO 12402-3 standards.

Anyone that has browsed any range of life jackets will notice that there are far greater range of buoyancy options available, as opposed to just 150N. Although rated to the same ISO standard, (for example) a 190N life jacket will contain a larger bladder than a 165N life jacket, thus keeping you higher up in the water when the life jacket is inflated.

275N (ISO12402-2):
ISO12402-2 life jackets are suitable for offshore and/or commercial use where heavy clothing is worn and the user is likely to experience extreme weather. The extra buoyancy provided will ensure that despite the extra weight, the casualty will be turned over into the correct position and their airways will be kept clear of the water.

Life Jacket Sizing:

Unlike buoyancy aids which are available in a range of different sizes, life jackets are supplied in one size; with various adjustment points that are typically located around the waist to cater for different body types. There is a maximum chest size for each life jacket, which varies from brand to brand - for example Seago life jackets fit up to a 55" chest, whilst Crewsaver life jackets support up to a 62" chest. It is important to remember to measure your chest with all your sailing clothing on, as your chest size will naturally increase with the number of layers you are wearing.

Harnesses & Safety Lines:

All life jackets are supplied with or without a harness. The harness is typically made of strong nylon webbing and includes attachment points for a safety line. The safety line is attached to the harness and to a secure point on the boat, such as a strong cleat or padeye. This allows the wearer to move around the boat or deck while remaining safely attached in case of a fall or accidental immersion in the water.

Life jackets with harnesses are typically recommended for use in rough water or high wind conditions, where there is a greater risk of falling overboard or being washed overboard. They are also commonly used in offshore sailing, where crew members are at risk of being swept off the deck by large waves or heavy weather.

Safety lines are available with up to three hooks - multiple hooks ensure that if one hook fails or become detached, or you're moving around the boat, you will always have a secure attachment point to your boat.

Life Jacket Accessories:

Life jacket accessories are a fantastic way to upgrade a life jacket or tailor it to your individual requirements. Below, we'll look at the most popular life jacket accessories.

Life Jacket Lights:

Although not commercially approved, a flashing/strobe life jacket light will significantly increase visibility, especially at night or in poor visibility, making it a must-have life jacket accessory. Lights such as Spinlock Lume-On LED Life Jacket Lights can be attached to any life jacket bladder with ease, regardless of what brand the life jacket is.

Life Jacket Spray Hoods:

A life jacket spray hood is a small, flexible hood attached to the collar of a life jacket, designed to help significantly reduce the risk of secondary drowning. Life jacket spray hoods do this by protecting the wearer's face from water and spray, so no water is inhaled. Thanks to their luminous colour, they also act as a great detection aid, as well as offering excellent heat retention.

Life Jacket Crotch Straps:

A standard feature on many life jackets, a life jacket crotch strap attaches to a life jacket and fits between a person's legs. A crotch strap is designed to keep the life jacket securely in place on the wearer's body, preventing them from slipping out of the life jacket in the event of a fall or impact.

Life Jacket Re Arming Kits:

A life jacket rearming kit is a set of components used to refill or recharge the inflation mechanism of an inflatable life jacket. Inflatable life jackets rely on a CO2 cylinder to inflate the jacket when triggered. After the life jacket has been deployed, it must be re-armed by replacing the used CO2 cylinder with a new one.

Replacing A Life Jacket:

A life jacket has no expiry date, although it will typically have a lifespan of around 10 years depending on usage and the conditions in which it is used. As with anything, the more you look after a life jacket, the longer it will last - a life jacket should be stored in a cool, dry area that is out of direct sunlight. If your life jacket is showing signs of wear and tear or damage and you're unsure if it needs replacing, please contact us and we'll be more than happy to answer any questions you may have.

Although a life jacket has no expiry date, the cylinder inside it will. If you're purchasing a new life jacket from a retailler, this expiry date will be around three years from the time of purchase. It is crucial to regularly inspect the CO2 cylinder for any signs of damage, corrosion or leakage as it is the key component in the inflation of a life jacket.

Children's Life Jackets:

Children's life jackets range from baby life jackets, suitable for the youngest of sailors weighing under 15 kilos, to junior life jackets which are similar in appearance and fucntionality to adult life jackets - just with less buoyancy and a smaller size to accomodate the smaller frame of a junior.

As children are constantly growing, baby life jackets are available in different sizes, which are often determined by weight, as opposed to chest size (although it's still worth taking this into account), so before purchasing a children's life jacket, we highly recommend weighing the child. On any good stockist of children's life jackets, you will find a size chart.

Junior life jackets are suited to children around the age of 8, weighing from 15/20kg to 40kg. All junior life jackets use an automatic inflation system and have a manual backup toggle in the extremely rare event that the life jacket does not inflate.

The RNLI emphasize that you should only purchase a life jacket that fits the child in question, not one that they will grow into as this may result in the child slipping out of the life jacket or the life jacket floating high in the water, leaving the child’s mouth and nose submerged. The RNLI also advise that it should not be possible to lift the life jacket more than 2.5cm from the child’s shoulders.

Pet Life Jackets:

Pet life jackets are rapidly growing in popularity, with many boat owners looking to bring their four legged friend(s) along on their next adventure. Unsurprisingly, the most popular type of pet life jacket is the dog life jacket. Dog life jackets work like buoyancy aids, using closed-cell polyethylene to provide assistance to your pooch in the water, whether that's during play, or if they get into a spot of bother.

Many dog life jackets such as Crewsaver's hugely popular Petfloat Dog Life Jacket contain an attachment point for a lead and also an integral handle so you can safely lift your pet - there's more on this in our dog life jacket guide.

As you would expect, dog life jackets come in a range of sizes to cater for any type of dog, from Chihuahua's to Great Dane's. To find the right size, you should measure from the collar to the base of the tail.

Anything we've missed?

If you have any questions that may not have been answered in this guide, please contact us and we'll be happy to assist. You can either call us on 01634 295 233, send an email to customerservices@piratescave.co.uk or visit us in-store. We have two locations, a 6,000 square ft Rochester store which is one of the largest chandleries in the UK, plus an additional outlet store located within Gillingham marina.

Whilst you're here, why not check out our other life jacket related blog posts?

• Are Self Inflating Life Jackets Reusable?
• Best Dog Life Jackets 2023.
• Best Life Jackets 2023.
• Choosing The Right Life Jacket: Automatic v Manual.
• Do I Need A Life Jacket Or Buoyancy Aid For Kayaking?
• Life Jackets v Buoyancy Aids - What's the difference?
• Paddle Board Life Jacket Buyers Guide.
• What Life Jacket Buoyancy Do I Need?
• What Size Life Jacket Do I Need?