Life Jacket

About Life Jacket

• Buoyancy: Must provide enough flotation to keep a person's head and mouth above water, even if they are unconscious. Buoyancy is measured in Newtons (N), with different ratings for various use cases and regions.
  • Level 50: Buoyancy aids for competent swimmers near shore. Not designed to turn an unconscious person face-up.
  • Level 100: Lifejackets for use in sheltered water. May not be enough to turn an unconscious person face-up.
  • Level 150: General-use lifejackets for coastal and offshore use. Designed to turn an unconscious person onto their back.
  • Level 275: For offshore use in extreme conditions, or for those wearing heavy protective clothing.
• Material: Outer fabric is typically durable, waterproof polyester or nylon. Inner flotation is provided by closed-cell foam or an inflatable air chamber.
• Fit and size: Must fit snugly and securely to prevent it from rising over the wearer's chin or ears. It is sized according to the user's weight. Many include adjustable straps, and children's versions often feature a crotch strap.
• Visibility: Features high-visibility colors (e.g., orange, red, or yellow) and often includes retro-reflective tape to aid rescuers in low light.
• Accessories: Standard equipment includes a whistle for attracting attention. High-end or specialized jackets may also have a lifting loop, light, or spray hood.
• Durability and standards: Jackets must be able to withstand jumping into the water from a specified height without being damaged. They must also meet approval standards from a governing body, such as the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), or Transport Canada. 

• Foam (inherent): Filled with closed-cell foam for permanent buoyancy.
• Inflatable: Provides buoyancy through an air chamber that inflates manually (by pulling a cord) or automatically upon water immersion. It also includes an oral inflation tube as a backup.
• Hybrid: Uses a combination of foam and an inflatable chamber for both immediate and enhanced buoyancy.
• Specialized life jackets

• Recreational: Lightweight and less bulky for water sports like kayaking, with features like multiple pockets or special arm cuts.
• Rescue: High-buoyancy jackets with harnesses for tethered rescue work.
• Infant and child: Designed for smaller bodies, with features such as a head support collar, crotch strap, and a grab handle.