Check your lifejacket fit
Lifejackets are not one size fits all. Choosing a properly fitted lifejacket is essential to staying safe on the water.
A lifejacket should feel comfortable and not too loose or tight. Follow the steps below to ensure you have the right sized lifejacket and know how to wear it.
Lifejacket fit
Check the label of the jacket. Lifejackets include details of the recommended size and weight for the person wearing them.
It should fit snuggly without being too tight. Make sure it is not too big as you can slide out of it. If it is too small it may not help you to float.
Too big - This child could easily slide out of this lifejacket
Too small - This lifejacket wouldn’t provide enough floating support
Always use the crotch strap if your lifejacket has one. The crotch strap stops you sliding out the bottom of the jacket. This is vital for children to wear. Find further tips for children wearing lifejackets safely here. Crotch straps can also be purchased separately and added to a lifejacket after you have purchased it.
Wear the crotch strap - it can stop you sliding out of your lifejacket
This crotch strap was added after purchase
Test lifejackets
Make sure you practise wearing lifejackets at home before heading out in the water.
- Know how to put it on
- Try it out in a controlled environment like a pool
- Get used to it by moving, swimming and floating in it.
Your activity impacts which lifejacket to wear
Remember different types of lifejackets are available for different activities. A lifejacket designed for boating in protected waters like the river might not be suitable for boating in rough open waters. You can check which lifejacket is right for the activity you are undertaking and the types of waters you are operating in with the online lifejacket checking tool.