Life Jackets

Check it and wear correctly.
It will save your life.

A Good Fit
Take time to find a style of lifejacket that is comfortable to wear and suits your needs – the best lifejacket is one you will wear.

When in the shop, try on a few different options and think about what it’ll be like to wear it doing your water sport. Is it a good fit? Is it comfortable? Do you like it? Picking the right one for you may take time, but it will be time and money well spent. If you are buying online, think about finding a way to try on the style of your choice first; do you have friends or family with the same jacket.

Lifejacket Standards
All new lifejackets sold in the UK, Republic of Ireland and elsewhere in Europe are required to meet the International Standards Organisation standard ISO12402. Older lifejackets may carry the CE mark. This is numbered from EN393 to EN399, depending on the amount of buoyancy provided.

Buoyancy aid – level 50
Buoyancy aids at level 50 are recommended for use by swimmers in sheltered waters or by those doing watersports where help is close at hand. However, they do not have sufficient buoyancy to protect a person who is unable to help themselves. They are not designed to turn a person from a face-down position in the water.

Lifejacket – level 100
The level 100 lifejacket is recommended for use in sheltered and calm waters. It may not have sufficient buoyancy to protect a person who is unable to help themselves and may not roll an unconscious person on to their back.

Lifejacket – level 150
The level 150 lifejacket is for general use on coastal and offshore waters where a high standard of performance is required. It should turn an unconscious person on to their back and requires nosubsequent action by the wearer to keep their face out of the water. Its performance may be affected if the user is wearing heavy and/or waterproof clothing.

Lifejacket – level 275
The level 275 lifejacket is recommended for offshore use, primarily for extreme conditions and for those wearing heavy protective clothing that may adversely affect the self-righting capacity of lesser lifejackets. As with the level 150, this lifejacket is designed to ensure that the wearer is floating in the correct position with their mouth and nose clear of the surface of the water.

Fitting, Stowage, Maintenance and Servicing.

  • Ensure you are familiar with the donning instructions of your particular type of Life Jacket
  • Accidents can happen to anyone, regardless of experience.
  • Ensure your Life Jacket fits correctly. Loose fitting Life Jackets may come off in an emergency or be a hinderance in the water. Make sure your Life Jacket is a snug fit and use the crotch strap if fitted. If there is a manual inflation toggle fitted ensure it is easy to reach
  • Life Jackets should  ideally be stored in a warm dry place but away from direct heat or sunlight
  • If possible, hang them up on a rack or hook, if damp allow to dry naturally
  • Inspect your Life Jacket regularly for obvious signs of damage
  • Ensure that the gas cylinder is correctly fitted
  • Get your Life Jackets serviced regularly by an approved retailer/company in accordance with any coding regulations or if that is not applicable then at least every 3 years. Make a log of this
  • Repairs should be performed by a manufacturer or approved company
  • It is recommended that the minimum specification for an adult size Life Jacket is a minimum of 150N, that the Life Jacket has a crotch strap and is self-inflating

Kill Cord

The KILL CORD  or engine safety cut-out switch is a device used to stop the engine in the event of the helmsperson being thrown off their seat.

It consists of a length of cord or plastic wire connected to a kill switch on the engine or dashboard of a boat.

One end has a plastic collar to hold the switch open, the other has a clip on it which can be connected directly to the helmsperson’s or made into a loop which can then be passed around their thigh. If the helmsperson is thrown from their seat by a sudden manoeuvre, the kill cord is pulled back from the dash, cutting the engine and preventing further injury from the propeller.

It is advised that the kill cord should NOT

  • Be attached to your wrist so as to avoid it becoming entangled in the steering or throttle mechanism.
  • Be attached to any clothing or lifejacket, which could become ripped or detached from the helmsperson.
  • Be lengthened.

General Advice

  • Test your kill cord regularly.
  • Make sure your kill cord is in good condition.
  • Always attach the kill cord securly to the helmsperson, ideally prior to the engine being started, but certainly before the boat is put in gear.
  • STOP the engine before transferring the kill cord to another helmsperson.