Choosing a Lifejacket or Buoyancy Aid

The type of watersports activity you are about to undertake may determine whether you require a buoyancy aid or lifejacket. A buoyancy aid is mainly used for active surface watersports and would be unsuitable for offshore use, particularly when wearing heavy waterproof clothing. "Newtons (N)" refers to the amount of lift provided by the aid/lifejacket.

A buoyancy aid is just that, an Aid to Buoyancy. It assumes the wearer can, to a degree, help themselves to either swim back to the shore or swim enough to get themselves back to a boat. It therefore assumes that help is close at hand, that the conscious wearer can swim or is comfortable enough in the water to wait for assistance and for this reason usually worn in sheltered waters.

A lifejacket may help if the wearer is unconscious or unable to help themselves and is almost always the preferred option for sailing coastal waters/offshore. The type of lifejacket worn will be determined by the conditions/ environment and the type of clothing worn and usually provide at least 150 Newtons.

Parents, please note: It is unlikely that a buoyancy aid/lifejacket with two years growing room will be suitable/safe.

Trying on your Buoyancy Aid

When trying on your Buoyancy Aid for the first time, make sure to loosen and undo all the straps. This will make putting it on very easy. You can then tighten the straps to the desired fit.

A buoyancy aid is designed to fit on your chest to give maximum flexibility and movement

Lifejacket Inflation methods:

Manual - All Crewsaver/CSR Air Only Lifejackets sold by Watersports Warehouse can be Manually inflated, by pulling a lanyard. This allows the wearer to swim without the Lifejacket activating automatically. This can be useful if you wade when launching or tending to craft in calm waters.

1. Pull a lanyard.
2. CO2 canister is fired.
3. Jacket inflates.
4. Delivers full buoyancy in approximately 5 seconds.
5. Can also be inflated orally.

Automatic – This inflation option is available on most Crewsaver/CSR Air Only Lifejackets sold by Watersports Warehouse and provides an alternative to the Hammar Mechanism. Inflation occurs automatically when the paper retaining collar dissolves on contact with water.

1. Capsule fires within 5 seconds of entry into water.
2. Mechanism pierces canister, inflating Lifejackets.
3. Can also be inflated as manual version or orally.

CE Categories Explained

It is important that you pick the correct CE Category to suit your type of activity and experience.

The chart below should help you decide. If you are still having difficulty deciding, please contact us.

Buoyancy Rating
Type	150 Newton Inflatable Lifejacket	100 Newton FOAM Buoyancy Aid	50 Newton FOAM Buoyancy Aid
Activity	Yachting Sportsboat Powerboat (including RIBs) Widely used for providing safety cover for dinghies and by those teaching yachting, sports and powerboat classes.	Dinghy Sailing Sportsboat Powerboat (including RIBs) Ideal for non-active roles on board yachts and motorboats.	Mainly used for active surface watersports such as: Dinghy Sailing Canoeing Kite Surfing
Suitability	Swimmers and Non-swimmers	Swimmers and Non-swimmers in Inshore & Coastal waters	Only suitable for competent swimmers
Conditions	For use in all but the most severe conditions	They give a reasonable assurance of safety from drowning in relatively calm waters	Sheltered water use where help is close at hand.
Assurance	They give reasonable assurance of safety from drowning, to people not fully capable of helping themselves.	They give a reasonable assurance of safety from drowning in relatively calm waters	Sheltered water use where help is close at hand.
Protection	May not immediately self-right an unconscious user wearing heavy waterproof clothing. Equivalent performance to previous BSI Approved Lifejackets.	Not guaranteed to self-right an unconscious user wearing waterproof clothing and should not be expected to protect the airway of an unconscious person in rough water.	Only provides support to conscious people who can help themselves.
EN (European Standard Number)	EN 396	EN 395	EN 393

All Buoyancy Aid/Lifejackets we sell carry an EN (European Standard) number. These standards, which also have the status of British Standards, are intended to ensure that all Lifejackets sold in this country meet very stringent requirements regarding the design, performance, materials and components used.

The information within this table is a guide only. The final purchasing decision and liability thereof is left to the individual.