Which lifejacket is right for my water activity?
Your lifejacket needs are very different, depending on the type of boating you do. The choice of lifejacket depends not only on the activity you practice, but above all on the risk involved. The most important factor to take into account is your distance from the coast. The further you are from a shelter, the more you'll need a lifejacket with greater buoyancy, expressed in Newtons. These factors will help you to choose the right lifejacket for you.
Lifejackets for all your nautical activities
In the nautical world, activities are classified according to their distance from a shelter. We speak of basic, coastal, semi-offshore and offshore navigation.
The time it takes for rescue services to come and save a shipwrecked person depends on the distance between the vessel and the coast. So you need a lifejacket that will keep you at the water's surface for as long as possible while you wait. The risks are not the same if you're sailing on the high seas as if you're doing a basic water sport.
Which lifejacket is right for your activity ?
Your choice of lifejacket also depends on the level of comfort you require for your activity. So let's take a look at which lifejacket to choose for your water activities.
For sport sailing
For watersports enthusiasts within 2 miles of a shelter, such as light sailing, stand-up paddling, kitesurfing or wakeboarding, you'll need a buoyancy aid of at least 50 Newtons. This is the type of lifejacket recommended for water sports. The paddle and kayak lifejacket category is dedicated to them on our website.
The EN ISO 12402-5 standard makes it mandatory. It therefore concerns people who know how to swim well, and who are close to the shore and rescue services. This buoyancy aid does not guarantee that an unconscious person will turn over. Here are the main activities involved:
- Light sailing (dinghy, catamaran)
- Coastal cruising
- Swimming (recommended)
- Board sports (surfing, bodyboarding,
- kiteboarding, kitesurfing, stand-up paddling, windsurfing, canoeing)
- Motorized sports (scooters, water-skiing, motorboating)
We recommend Plastimo's Trophy 50N vest, which offers excellent value for money. For light sailing, the ProRacer Gill 50N lifejacket will make all the difference. Available in adult and children's sizes. Dog lifejackets are also available in a range of sizes.
If you carry equipment that weighs you down slightly, wearing an entry-level 100 Newton lifejacket is a good idea. For this, the Plastimo Pilot Seashore Long Cote vest will do the trick.
For coastal navigation
For coastal sailors within 6 miles of a shelter, you'll need to wear a lifejacket with a buoyancy rating of 100 Newtons. Standard EN ISO 12402-4 makes this lifejacket mandatory. It applies to adults and children sailing on calm, sheltered waters, at a moderate distance from rescue services. Not always available with an inflatable system, these vests roll over onto the wearer's back in 10 seconds. For greater safety, we recommend that you fit this vest with a lighted locating accessory.
For coastal sailing, we recommend the Navigare Scan foam vest developed by Helly Hansen. It features a subcutaneous strap, whistle and reflective elements.
For semi-offshore sailing
Experienced sailors trying their hand at mid-shore navigation between 6 and 60 miles from a shelter will be obliged to equip themselves with an automatic lifejacket with 150 Newtons buoyancy. This is recommended by standard EN ISO 12402-3. This lifejacket for pleasure boating, often automatic, enables you to keep your head on your sides and aft, even if you're unconscious. It's designed for pleasure boating, semi-offshore sailing and professional sailing with medium-heavy clothing.
For these activities, CrewSaver's Crewfit 165N Sport automatic inflatable lifejacket is ideal. The vest is available in sky blue, navy blue and red. It operates on the UML trigger system. This device has the advantage of triggering on contact with water. Models from the same brand are also available for children.
For ocean navigation
Professionals at sea, such as skippers in the Vendée Globe or Volvo Ocean Race, venturing offshore more than 60 miles from shelter, will need to wear an automatic lifejacket with 275 Newtons buoyancy. These high-quality inflatable lifejackets guarantee your safety in extreme conditions, and when you're carrying heavy clothing and tools.
Ideally, a professional lifejacket should flip over onto its back in 5 seconds. These professional lifejackets are mainly worn by specialists, and only in the most extreme conditions. A professional automatic lifejacket, on the other hand, will be indispensable if you want to tackle the southern seas or join the merchant navy.
Probably the best vest for sailing on the high seas is Spinlock's Deckvest Vito 275N with Hammar release. Its comfortable cut and adjustable waist provide the comfort you need to move freely on deck. It also features a sprayhood hood.
With or without a harness: what's the difference for your boating activity ?
If you go overboard, it's best to stay attached to the boat. This is the role of the harness. This equipment can be integrated into the inflatable lifejacket. The vest's securing straps feature a belly-button ring for attaching a harness lanyard.
This lanyard, fitted with a snap hook at the end, will act as a link to the boat, ensuring that you don't stray too far in the event of a fall. This lanyard can be cut with a safety knife if you're in danger.
A lifejacket fitted with a harness is slightly more expensive. A lifejacket fitted with a harness is therefore highly recommended for semi-offshore and offshore sailing, as it is an essential accessory for your survival.
