Marine Web Store Ireland - Info page' Personal Floatation Devices
What is a Personal Flotation Device?
This is a generic term used to describe lifejackets and buoyancy aids.
The main difference between lifejackets and buoyancy aids is that a
lifejacket is designed to turn an unconscious person face up on entering
the water. A buoyancy aid is not guaranteed to do this and is as the
name describes, an aid to keeping you afloat.
Wearing Personal Flotation Devices
It is vital to wear a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket
when afloat or if your activity takes you near the
water. You must ensure that it is the correct size,
properly fastened and that you understand how to operate it.
In sports like jetskiing, water skiing, dinghy sailing, windsurfing
and canoeing , wearing the right personal flotation device (PFD) will give
you the confidence to enjoy your activity even when you are in the water.
For other activities wearing an appropriate PFD can give you extra time
for the search and rescue services to find and rescue you.
Caring for your Personal Flotation Device
Your PFD could save your life, so it is important to look after it. You
should have it serviced in accordance with the manufacturer’s
recommendations. On a regular basis, you should visually check the
PFD for wear and tear, especially at the folds, straps and fastenings. On
inflatable lifejackets, check to see if the gas bottle is full, fitted correctly
and has no signs of corrosion. If used in salt water, you should regularly
wash out your PFD with fresh water and allow it to dry fully before
repacking. Ensure you disarm any automatic inflation mechanism before
washing your PFD to avoid accidental inflation.
Don’t use your PFD as a cushion as this may compress, and thus reduce
the effectiveness of the buoyancy. Like most things they do not last
forever. If your PFD is looking tatty it may not work so get a new one.
Wear it!
By definition your PFD won’t work if you are not wearing it. Ensure that you and your crew wear your PFDs whenever you are on deck, out in an open boat or on open quays, docks and marinas.
The Facts…...
The right Personal Flotation Device?
Personal flotation devices are available with foam-only buoyancy, air
foam buoyancy or air-only buoyancy. The most suitable type for you will
depend on the type of activity and the distance you are likely to be from
the shore.
Foam only personal flotation devices provide buoyancy at all times.
They may be bulky, but in addition to providing buoyancy, they often
provide additional protection against wind and cold.
Air-only lifejackets are likely to be the most compact and comfortable
and may be automatically activated on entering the water or inflated
manually or orally. Spare gas cylinders and automatic inflation
mechanisms should be carried.
The effectiveness of a lifejacket will be affected by the type and amount
of clothing worn. If air becomes trapped in clothing, or if a flotation suit is
worn in addition to a lifejacket, it may reduce the ability of a lifejacket to
roll you face up in the water. Choosing a PFD with more buoyancy may
counteract this.
It is recommended that all personal flotation devices are fitted with a
whistle, light and retro-reflective strips and should have crotch straps.
For some sports such as jetskiing, water skiing, dinghy sailing,
windsurfing and canoeing, specialised personal flotation devices are
available which are specifically designed to suit these sports.
Understanding Personal Flotation Devices
Buoyancy is measured in Newton – 10 Newton equals 1 kilogramme of
flotation. There are 4 European standards for personal flotation devices
which must all carry the CE mark.
