As you prepare for your next water sport adventure, safety should be your top priority. The type of water sport activity you are about to undertake may determine whether you require a foam buoyancy aid, a foam lifejacket, or a gas inflation lifejacket. These essential pieces of equipment can make all the difference in an emergency, providing crucial flotation assistance when needed most. In this guide, we'll delve into the differences between buoyancy aids and lifejackets, helping you make informed decisions about which one is right for your needs.

Buoyancy Aids:

Buoyancy aids are designed to provide flotation assistance to individuals in the water by means of inherent foam panels. Unlike lifejackets, buoyancy aids assume that the wearer can help themselves to a certain extent, either by swimming back to shore or staying afloat until assistance arrives. These aids are ideal for active surface Watersports in sheltered waters, such as canoeing, kayaking, or windsurfing. They offer freedom of movement and are not typically suitable for offshore or rough water conditions. A buoyancy aid is an aide to buoyancy and not a life saving device.  When choosing a buoyancy aid, look for ones rated with "Newtons (N)," indicating the amount of lift provided. A 50N rated buoyancy aid provides around 11lbs/5.5kg of buoyancy, while a 100N rated buoyancy aid provides approximately 23lbs/11kg.  The majority of recreational buoyancy aids sold in the UK market will be approved for use and provide 50Newtons.

When trying on your Buoyancy Aid for the first time, make sure to loosen and undo all the straps. This will make putting it on more easy. You can then tighten the straps to the desired fit. A buoyancy aid is designed to fit on your chest to give maximum freedom of movement.  When worn, the bottom of the BA would usually rest just on or just above the bottom of the rib cage. This ensures that the waist area is free to allow freedom of movement and comfort, ideal for seated activities. A Junior/Child's buoyancy aid with several years growing room may be more of a hazard in the short term.

Lifejackets:

There are generally two forms of lifejackets: Gas Inflation Lifejackets & Permanent Foam Lifejackets. 

Foam lifejackets usually offer a minimum of 100N of lift and are designed to wear by non-swimmers, and, as they are generally a bulkier design due the necessary foam, possibly for someone to wear as a non-active participant, perhaps a 'passenger'.  A Foam lifejacket has permanent buoyancy and the best option for children, youngsters.  With a higher buoyancy rating, they are designed with a few more safety features, including a foam collar to support the head, one side of the front panel usually has a thicker foam panel which effectively rotates the person to ensure they lie face up rather than face down in the water, they will also include a safety whistle and thigh/crotch straps. Permanent foam lifejackets are predominantly worn by non-swimmers, for Babies, Toddlers, Children, Juniors (usually below the age of v. approx 12yrs, depending on size/build/activity/ability etc) , the assumption being that children may be non-swimmers, wearing clothing and not able to easily help themselves if they should end up in the water.

Gas inflation Lifejackets are more robust safety devices designed to provide flotation assistance in emergencies where the wearer may be unconscious or unable to help themselves. They come in two main types: manual and automatic inflation. Manual lifejackets require the wearer to pull a cord to activate inflation, while automatic lifejackets inflate automatically upon immersion in water. These are the preferred option for offshore sailing or activities where the risk of immersion is higher and for when wearing outdoor/sailing clothing. Lifejackets typically offer at least 150 Newtons of buoyancy, providing significant support even in rough water conditions. For offshore sailing/ocean going voyages it is more common to wear a lifejacket to provide from 190N to 275N to allow for greater lift on the assumption of wearing heavier sailing clothing and which may also include added safety features such as a hood and a water activated light for improved visibility.

Buy a Junior Buoyancy Aid or Lifejacket , Buy an Adult Buoyancy Aid , Buy an Adult Lifejacket