RYA Buoyancy aids and life jackets Guidance

Personal floatation devices come in two main forms – buoyancy aids and life-jackets.

A buoyancy aid is designed to keep someone afloat. It allows the wearer full movement whilst an active sporting activity is carried out. However if unconscious, the wearers head could be face down in the water.

A life-jacket has a buoyancy distribution sufficient to turn the user to a position where their mouth is clear of the water, even when they’re unconscious.

What should I wear? 

A buoyancy aid in a sailing dinghy, personal watercraft, windsurfer, canoe or waterskiing or if providing safety cover for such an activity.

A life-jacket in an open boat such as small power boat or when going ashore in a yacht tender.

A life-jacket at all times on a yacht or motor cruiser if you are a non-swimmer and when there is any possibility of entering the water. Also when the skipper deems it necessary or whenever you want to wear one.

Where it was once rare to see people wearing life-jackets afloat, it is now an accepted norm. Always wear a life-jacket when abandoning ship. Specialist life-jackets are available for infants and children.

Please remember that inflatable life-jackets and buoyancy aids require regular checks and servicing.

The link at the top of this page will allow you to download a pdf which includes the above advice and further information on levels of buoyancy and the labeling of personal floatation devices.

A second link is provided for windsurfers requiring information regarding the wearing of harnesses.

Ohter Links:
Buoyancy aids and lifejackets info sheet
Additional guidance for windsurfers
RYA Liferaft Safety Information

Crewsaver Inflatable Lifejacket Manual Links:
275N Lifejacket
150N Plus Lifejacket
Freedom Lifejacket
Manual Inflation
Standard Inflation
Is your Lifejacket fitted with an Integral Harness?
Fitting Crewsaver Thigh Straps
CE Approved Spray Hoods
Lifejacket Light
Prefitting Check List
How to look after your Lifejacket
How to don/fit your Lifejacket
Re-packing your Lifejacket

Categories

Shipping & Delivering Info

Orders on most items
over £75 carriage FREE.
Upto £20 - £2.99
Upto £50 - £4.99
Upto £75 - £5.99

Trailers: £30
Some heavy or oversized
items incure a delivery
charge which is quoted
on this website & is at cost