Life Jackets

Life jackets (sometimes known as personal floatation devices, buoyancy aids, lifejackets, life preservers, life vests, life belts or life savers) are an essential item for any boat owner. As a piece of safety equipment they are invaluable and you should never set sail without jackets for each member of your crew, and many boat owners choose to carry a selection of spares of various sizes for any passengers who may be accompanying them on their trip. We have compiled a list of the best suppliers and retailers of boat safety equipment so when you need to buy life jackets you can simply browse our selection until you find a store or shop that is perfect for your needs.

For life jackets to be considered properly working they must be correctly adjusted and fitted and it is important that you choose the correct size for the person who will be wearing it. To function correctly life jackets must keep the wearer (who may be unconscious) above the water so that they can breathe properly through their mouth and nose, using ill fitting jackets can result in the device not working properly and result in a potentially life threatening situation.

The most common type of life jackets are those featuring foam cores, and these are most commonly known as buoyancy aids. They are usually produced in a brightly coloured nylon material filled with strips or layers of foam, and they are considered the simplest design. There are both advantages and disadvantages to foam core life jackets and buoyancy aids, they are much cheaper and are very light and comfortable to wear for long periods of time, however they offer the least amount of protection and some will not keep the wearer completely afloat, especially if they lose consciousness. These jackets are an excellent solution for calm lakes and warmer waters but are often not recommended for use on the open ocean.

Many life jackets feature pockets of air in their design, and these can be inflated manually using a tube blown up by the mouth or with an attached gas canister, usually filled with carbon dioxide. The former has the advantage of being very versatile, however you must ensure that these life jackets are properly inflated and checked regularly for slow leaks. The latter is often a “one use” jacket, many are designed to inflate automatically on contact with water but they must be handled with care during normal boating operations. These life jackets are very hardy and resistant, and most contain separate and segmented air pockets allowing the jacket to continue providing buoyancy should one or more air pockets become damaged or deflate.

Whatever type of life jackets you choose to purchase for you and your boat ensure that they are correctly sized and provide adequate floatation for any situation. Safety equipment and jackets in particular are items that you should never compromise on, whilst the chance of any accidents occurring are relatively slim if you practise safe boating and follow the rules of the water if something does happen you will want to ensure you are well prepared. Good jackets can save the lives of you and your passengers should the unthinkable occur, so be sure to purchase yours as soon as possible from one of the many retailers listed on our website.