Many different types of lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) are available. It is essential that you choose the correct type for your boating activities.
The following summarises the different types:
Type 401 – open waters lifejacket
Type 404 – buoyancy aid wetsuit
Type 406 – specialist lifejacket
Your lifejacket retailer should be able to help you choose the right PFD.
These are designed to keep the wearer vertical in the water, and to hold a person’s mouth and nose uppermost if they are unconscious. The two versions available are inflatable, or with semi-rigid foam flotation.
The ones with foam flotation are rated as having a minimum buoyancy rating of 100 newtons (adult size). These jackets are cumbersome and uncomfortable. They are not suited to continuous wearing on a pleasure craft, but because they are designed to hold an unconscious person's head and face clear of the water, they are best suited for emergencies such as abandoning a vessel.
The inflatable 401 lifejackets must provide 150 newtons of buoyancy, and are fitted with either a water activated inflation switch, or a manual pull cord to inflate. They can also be inflated using a mouthpiece.
These jackets are also designed to keep a person's head and face clear of the water, and are comfortable and convenient to wear. They can be fitted with a safety harness.
These provide at least 71 newtons of buoyancy and must have a buoyant collar to support the wearer's head. They are quite comfortable to wear continuously while boating, and are the most common PFDs found on recreational craft.
However, while they must not allow the wearer to tilt forward of vertical, they are not designed to keep an unconscious person's head and face above water. This type of PFD must be marked “May not be suitable for all conditions”. The effectiveness of this PFD is considerably reduced in rough or breaking seas or surf. The PFD will give support in the water for an extended period.
This type of PFD normally relies on plastic clips and adjustable straps to secure it. These straps must be fastened securely and there is some tendency for this type of PFD to ride up on the wearer. A crotch strap is advised if the wearer may be using the PFD in rough water.
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No collar is fitted to a buoyancy vest and it has a lower buoyancy rating than a lifejacket. It is designed for use in aquatic sports, such as dinghy sailing.
This particular type of PFD (adult size) must have at least 53 newtons of buoyancy. While wearing this type of PFD will not provide the same level of support or safety provided by other models, it is necessary for specialist type sports to have the most appropriate PFD for their purpose.
A wetsuit with added buoyancy in specific areas. These are very expensive and suitable for some sporting activities.
This standard is the same as type 403, but is not required to have reflective tape or be brightly coloured.
They are often used in specialist sporting events, but where lack of bright colours may compromise safety, a type 403 PFD should be used.
These include the various specialist PFD designs that are used for rafting, jet boating or kayaking.
Inflatable lifejackets are becoming increasingly popular with boaties, as they are more comfortable than other lifejackets. They are very light to wear and less restrictive. They also have considerably more flotation than foam lifejackets, and therefore exceed buoyancy requirements.
These lifejackets come in manual and automatic variations. Manual inflatables require the wearer to pull a tab to inflate the lifejacket, and automatic lifejackets inflate as soon as they are immersed in water. A “bumbag” style inflatable lifejacket is also available.
While inflatable lifejackets have many advantages, they do require regular servicing and users should check them frequently to ensure the gas canister is properly screwed in and not rusted.
This is one of two buoyancy aids that are not PFDs set by NZ Standard 5823:2001.
A rescue buoy is a semi-rigid buoyancy aid designed to be thrown to a person in the water to provide buoyancy while awaiting rescue. Commonly shaped as a ring or horseshoe, it can be held onto or placed around the chest.
Crotch straps are recommended for lifejackets when they may be used in situations other than very calm water. Even when tightly secured, lifejackets have a tendency to ride up on the wearer if there is any wave action. Crotch straps are mandatory for all children-sized lifejackets.