Recently, one of our staff mentioned they did not know the difference between a Lifejacket & a Buoyancy Aid. One can see many people setting off from the adjacent marina without any form of safety equipment, frequently in boarding dinghies (that account for a number of drownings). In the past month four people have drowned because they were not wearing the correct equipment.
Whilst I am not officially qualified to give advice on the subject, anyone indulging in any form of water activity should bear in mind that a Buoyancy Aid will keep you afloat but will NOT keep your head above water if you are injured or weakened by hypothermia.
A Lifejacket will provide buoyancy behind the head – to keep it above water – and in many cases be fitted with a crotch strap to prevent the jacket riding up.
There are numerous websites that give the buoyancy ratings of all the better known aids, and H M Coastguard or the RNLI Sea Safety Organisation will always give advice.
