PLAIN SAILING CHANDLERY'S GUIDE TO LIFE JACKETS
Life jackets can be the difference between life and death, so there shouldn’t be any compromise when picking the right one for you.
As sailors ourselves, we know how important this decision is. But with so much choice, getting your head around the different varieties and details can be difficult. Here's our guide to the various types of life jackets and how to choose between them.
Firing mechanisms
The main feature of a life jacket is its firing mechanism, and choosing which works for you mainly depends on what activities you participate in and what makes you feel comfortable on the water.
There are three main types of life jackets and firing mechanisms: automatic, manual and hydrostatic (hammar).
Manual inflation life jackets
Manually inflated life jackets are easy to understand. Their main feature is a pull chord that, when tugged on, fires a pin into a Co2 canister that releases gas into the jacket.
The biggest benefit of this is that there's no risk of inflating the jacket accidentally, which can be the case for automatic life jackets. This makes manual jackets more suitable for low-risk activities.
The downside is that if the wearer is unconscious, suffering from cold shock or has limited mobility, they may be unable to pull the chord. This is why we suggest something different for higher-risk activities.
Automatic inflation life jackets
Automatic life jackets are perfect for high-risk activities and are widely used for yacht sailing. All you need to do to inflate one is come into contact with water. This works when an automatic firing head with a small pellet releases a spring, pushing a pin into a gas bottle.
A positive aspect of this is that if the wearer is unconscious or can't inflate the jacket themselves, it'll do the work for them.
On the other hand, there's a risk of false activation if you're soaked by a large wave or caught in driving rain. Aside from this, they're highly dependable for most water sports, and very popular too.
Hydrostatic (hammar) life jackets
A third option to consider is a hydrostatic life jacket. These are more commonly known as hammar life jackets and are very similar to automatic jackets other than a few minor details.
Like automatic life jackets, hammar jackets also inflate when they come into contact with water. The difference is that they won't inflate unless the wearer is fully submerged in water. This is because the pellet that activates the inflation is protected by a case that can only be breached by submersion, meaning you can get wet without accidentally inflating the jacket.
What else to keep in mind
Other than its firing mechanism, a life jacket has other features to bear in mind. Here are a few that could help you make your decision.
Buoyancy
An important thing to look for is how much buoyancy a life jacket has.
Buoyancy is measured in Newtons (N), with 10 Newtons equalling 1kg of buoyancy. The buoyancy you'll need is based on two factors:
- Where you are (sea, lake, etc.)
- What you're wearing (how heavy are your clothes?)
All our life jackets are CE or ISO certified, and their buoyancy is listed in the product descriptions on our website.
Size
Customers often ask if size matters when choosing a life jacket. While many jackets are adjustable for height, some offer specific sizes for a precise fit. So, it depends on what you're looking for and the brand you'd like to go with.
Weight is also important. Heavier individuals or those wearing bulky clothing may want to choose a life jacket with higher buoyancy to ensure they stay afloat if they fall overboard.
We’re here to help
We offer a variety of budget-friendly manual, automatic and hammar life jackets at the highest industry standard. To browse our range, simply visit the life jackets section on our website.
Have a question? Email us at info@plainsailingchandlery.