Articles: Buoyancy aids & lifejackets

The difference between buoyancy aids and lifejackets
There is much confusion on the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket.

In short:

Buoyancy aids - are intended to help you stay on the surface. On its own and without your contribution, it will not help you under all circumstances.

Lifejackets - if properly worn and in good condition, keep your airways clear of water, even if you are unconscious. Lifejackets can provide either 100 or 150 Newton's of buoyancy, your choice should be based on what kind of seas you intend to travel. 

What is buoyancy?
The lifejackets' buoyancy is the force that pushes a person to the surface of the sea and is measured in Newton. 10 Newton correspond to buoyancy of 1kg. A person of 100kg weighs 5kg in the water. This is explained as follows: the 80% of a person's weight is water (80kg), which has no weight in the water, and about 15% is fat (15kg), which is lighter than water. Consequently, by subtracting the weight of the body's water and fat from the total body weight, we end up with the real weight in the water that is 5 kilos.

Categories
Buoyancy aids and lifejackets are divided in the following categories according to the buoyancy they offer:

• Buoyancy Aids 50 Newton: Buoyancy Aids are intended for use in protected waters, where the shore and help is close at hand. These products are available in a wide variety in colours, and designs according to demands of each sport. However the basic design is that of a jacket and they have inherently buoyant material
  
  
• Lifejacket 100 Newton: the lifejackets included in this category are also in the form of jackets or belts, with inherent buoyant material. These are mainly used in less protected waters, but not in the open sea
  
  
• Lifejacket 150 Newton: These lifejackets are intended for use offshore or when you are wearing heavy clothing due to weather conditions. They are available in the form of jacket or belt, and they have retro reflective tapes, whistle, and light (optional). For buoyancy, these lifejackets have foam (PVC) or gas (CO2)
  
  
• Lifejacket SOLAS: SOLAS lifejackets are obligatory in commercial ships and they are intended for emergency use, and under all weather conditions. These lifejackets are in the form of belt with a strap around the waist for secure fit. SOLAS lifejackets are equipped with retro reflective tapes, whistle, and light (optional)

Materials
Buoyancy aids and lifejackets have a durable Nylon outer shell. The inherent buoyant material can be either PVC or soft PVC. Both materials are durable and behave the same way in the water. The only difference between the two is the fact that soft PVC is more comfortable and has a better fit on the body. There are also lifejackets, whose buoyancy material is CO2 gas.

Four things to always keep in mind:
A buoyancy aid or lifejacket will only be effective if:

• You have chosen the right category and model according to its intended use
• You have chosen the right size according to the weight and the size of the wearer
• You wear it properly
• You wear it at all times while at sea