What is the purpose of a lifejacket?

The lifejacket, an essential safety device

Just like when you get into a car, you ensure your integrity by locking your seatbelt, and make sure that your passengers do the same. Your responsibility is at stake. It's the same aboard a boat, on a jetski or on a kiteboarding trip. It's common sense to take care of your own safety, depending on the activity you're involved in, but looking after the safety of others is an additional guarantee of peace of mind.

Before embarking, it's essential to bring your own flotation device, and to make sure that your children, or those accompanying them, are wearing one too (or are aware of its location on board). It's important to communicate the benefits of wearing a lifejacket to everyone on board. You then need to consider the usefulness of a lifejacket and the accompanying Newton capacity to choose the right model. The most important thing to remember is that a lifejacket is compulsory on a boat.

Everywhere, all the time

Whether you're involved in leisure or professional nautical activities, you need the right type of lifejacket. To ensure buoyancy in the event of a fall into the water, it's essential to take precautions by choosing the right product.

From SOLAS lifejackets to personal flotation devices (PFDs), a wide range of lifejacket accessories is available for sale on our site, at prices that vary according to the type of lifejacket you choose. Once you've decided which accessories you need, it's time to understand their importance. Lifejackets, whether inflatable or foam, will keep you afloat and increase your chances of survival until help arrives, should you have an accident while kayaking or fishing, for example.

A vest to suit every body type

Your weight, age and height do not exempt you from buying and wearing the right lifejacket. Some Helly Hansen and Jobe models can be slipped on like a jacket. These vests come in a range of sizes and colors, and are suitable for all body shapes and weights of water sports enthusiasts. The same applies to automatic vests.

Armbands, or SOLAS lifejackets, are those found on cruisers and other motorboats carrying people. These are generally available in 2 or 3 different sizes, depending on the wearer's weight: one version for people weighing less than 32kg (such as children), and another for those weighing more than 32kg. A baby version is also available for sale on our site. Buoyancy, expressed in newtons, changes according to size.

Finally, if you're taking your dog on board, don't forget to equip him too. You can find dog lifejackets on our site, such as the Jobe dog lifejacket priced at 34€.

PFDs: what's the difference with a standard lifejacket ?

The PFD, or personal flotation device, is a type of lifejacket with different characteristics from SOLAS lifejackets and standard lifejackets. It is designed to be worn for long periods, but does not always offer the same degree of protection in the water. This is particularly true when the wearer needs to be turned onto his or her back to ensure breathing in the event of unconsciousness.

However, a PFD can be adapted to the majority of water sports and activities. For example, there are PFD models that are more resistant to impact or repeated shocks. Others offer thermal protection for cold-water water sports. They are designed for activities such as kayaking, kitesurfing, wakeboarding, personal watercraft and fishing.

NB: Don't hesitate to consult the product reviews if you'd like to find out more about the vest model you're interested in.