Life jackets - Recommendations

Life jackets are your safety against the worst accidents in open water. They are designed to keep the person afloat without the need to swim. 

In addition, don't forget that in Ireland and other countries, it is required by law to have a life jacket - for each person out on the water, whether it's SUP, kayaking, windsurfing or on a boat. Therefore, everyone should have a life jacket on hand. Anything else would also be risky, as accidents can happen quickly and there may be a long distance to the shore and safety.

When choosing the right life jacket, it is important to follow the weight and buoyancy ranges that each life jacket comes with. This is the guarantee that it can carry the person wearing it. The buoyancy of life jackets is often specified in Newtons (N), which indicates how much it can lift the person wearing it.

These ratings can range from 50-300 N, with the lowest rating being considered more of a buoyancy aid. Here, you need to have the necessary swimming skills to stay afloat in the water. Conversely, the 300 N is safe even in stormy weather with high waves and is therefore primarily used on ships.

However, it's not just the buoyancy that is essential, as the size of the person and the life jacket are also significant. A life jacket should fit snugly without pinching and causing discomfort. If you wear a life jacket that is too big, you risk “slipping” out of it while in the water. Once you know these things, you're ready to find the right life jacket.