Lifejackets: choose before you buy!

Why buy a lifejacket ?

By law, you must wear a

Regattas, yachting, paddling, kayaking...

You don't have to be an offshore racer to wear an inflatable vest fitted with a harness or subcutaneous. Even a simple foam lifejacket will be required if you want to try dinghy sailing in a club or paddleboarding on a closed lake for a weekend. Kayaking, fishing or any other nautical activity is also subject to the same conditions.

Buying a lifejacket is the first thing you need to think about before setting sail! But why buy a lifejacket at all costs? Because current regulations make it compulsory to wear a lifejacket of at least 100 newtons up to 6 miles from a shelter. And because it's difficult to know whether a lifejacket adapted to your morphology is on board (unless you've checked beforehand).

Buying a lifejacket will guarantee the wearer's safety, even if he or she is unconscious or can't swim. Safety at sea is paramount. Wearing a lifejacket can save your life in the event of an accident. That's why you should buy a lifejacket before setting sail or sailing along the coast.

In a survey carried out at the 2014 Forum Mer en Sécurité, figures published by the SNSM show that 37% of those polled don't see the point of buying and wearing a lifejacket. Yet 8 out of 10 drowning victims could have been saved if they had worn their lifejacket. Buying a lifejacket is your assurance of survival at sea.

How to choose before buying a lifejacket

It's up to you to invest in the model that best suits your passion or that of your child. Buying the right lifejacket will also help you keep it longer. On the other hand, investing in an inflatable lifejacket is subject to certain conditions: buoyancy, release, harness, retail price, Newton, type of activity... Buying the right lifejacket at the right price will guarantee your safety on the water, whatever the conditions. The next question is how to choose the right lifejacket.

Buying a lifejacket: what the law says

The decree of February 10, 2016 makes it compulsory to wear a lifejacket when sailing at sea or in enclosed waters. The regulations specify the nature of the vest and its buoyancy depending on how far you are from the coast.

For example, if you're sailing less than 2 nautical miles from a shelter, you'll need a 50-newton individual safety device, such as a foam lifejacket or life jacket. It keeps you on the surface of the water without any effort on your part. That's the main definition of a lifejacket. That's why you'll need a lifejacket before you embark.

Buying an inflatable lifejacket, or buoyancy aid, is therefore essential if you want to sail with complete peace of mind, both in terms of safety and the law. The right product, with the right buoyancy, will enable you to concentrate fully on your favorite water sport. Beyond 6 miles from a shelter, regulations require you to buy and wear an automatic lifejacket of at least 150 newtons.

What accessories are available for lifejackets ?

Being able to tie up at sea keeps everyone on board in the event of a swell. The harness is one of the lifejacket accessories you should consider buying. While the lifejacket protects you from drowning, the safety harness prevents you from falling overboard in rough seas.

Like the harness, a flashlight bracket is also worth considering. This emergency lighting system will enable you to be spotted more easily if you fall overboard in low light conditions. Spinlock, Plastimo and Lalizas lifejackets offer these advantages. Be sure to check that the lifejacket you plan to buy is fitted with these accessories.

Iso standard, Hammar or manual release system, buoyancy, newtons, accessories, uml system... Whether you're a marine professional or a freshwater sailor, we've got all the tools you need to help you buy your future lifejacket.

There's no need to use a comparator or glossary to find your way around - we've got it all covered. Once you've chosen the right model, add the necessary lifejacket accessories, such as a reset kit with spare cartridge or lanyard.

What are the best lifejacket brands ?

When we think of safety at sea, we usually think of an orange, often uncomfortable lifejacket. However, other models and products are available on the water sports market. Simply browse our stock to see the different lifejackets available for sailing in the corresponding category. From Lalizas children's lifejackets to lifejackets for dogs, each product is designed to suit its purpose and the person or pet for whom it is intended.

The Pilot 165 Plastimo lifejacket , in black, red or blue, can be found on coastal or offshore programs, while a fluorescent-colored buoyancy aid from Jobe is more suited to wakeboarding fans. In the nebula of dedicated brands, it can be difficult to find your way around. To find out which brand of lifejacket to choose, all you need to do is identify your specific practice.

Buying the right lifejacket for the job

The right vest for every enthusiast. Most lifejackets on sale on our site adjust to the size and shape of the wearer. From baby bras to Solas children's lifejackets, from 275 Newton lifejackets for professionals to versions for your dog, no one will be left behind.

Size, cut or weight, here again you'll need to target the right product, especially for your child. As with adults, children's lifejackets offer a wide range of options, both in terms of buoyancy and release system. However, a minimum 100 newton lifejacket is mandatory for children under 30kg, regardless of the boating area.