Buoyancy Aids / Life Jackets

What is a buoyancy aid?

A buoyancy aid is a garment or device with an inherently buoyant material that helps the user to remain afloat when in the water.

What is a lifejacket?

A lifejacket is a garment or a device that, when used in the water, will provide a specific amount of buoyancy so as to position and maintain an incapacitated user with his airways clear of the water, and increase the likelihood of his rescue.

What is the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket?

There is much confusion on what is the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket. What you should keep in mind are the following: Buoyancy aids are intended to help you stay on the surface. On its own and without your contribution, it will not help you under all circumstances. Lifejackets, if properly worn and in good condition, keep your airways clear of water, even if you are unconscious. Lifejackets can provide either 100 or 150 Newtons of buoyancy. Your choice should be based on what kind of seas you intend to travel.

What is buoyancy?

The lifejackets buoyancy is the force that pushes a person to the surface of the sea and is measured in Newton. 10 Newton correspond to buoyancy of 1kg. A person of 100kg weighs 5kg in the water. This is explained as follows: the 80% of a person’s weight is water (80kg), which has no weight in the sea, and about 15% is fat (15kg), which is lighter than water. Consequently, by subtracting the weight of the body’s water and fat from the total body weight, we end up with the real weight in the water.

Categories

Buoyancy aids and lifejackets are divided in the following categories according to the buoyancy they offer:

• Buoyancy Aids 50 Newton: Buoyancy Aids are intended for use in protected waters, where the shore or any kind of help are close. These products are available in a wide variety of colours and designs according to demands of each sport. However the basic design is that of a jacket and they have inherently buoyant material.
• Lifejacket 100 Newton: The lifejackets included in this category are also in the form of jackets or belts, with inherent buoyant material. These are mainly used in less protected waters, but not in the open sea.
• Lifejacket 150 Newton: These lifejackets are intended for use offshore or when you are wearing heavy clothing due to weather conditions. They are available in the form of jacket or belt, and they have retro reflective tapes, whistle, and light (optional). For buoyancy, these lifejackets have foam (PVC) or gas (CO2).
• Lifejacket SOLAS: SOLAS lifejackets are obligatory in commercial ships and they are intended for emergency use, and under all weather conditions. These lifejackets are in the form of belt with a strap around the waist for secure fit. SOLAS lifejackets are equipped with retro reflective tapes, whistle, and light (optional).
  

Materials

Buoyancy aids and lifejackets have a durable Nylon outer shell. The buoyant material can be either PVC or soft PVC. Both materials are durable and behave the same way in the water. The only difference between the two is the fact that soft PVC is more comfortable and has a better fit on the body. There are also lifejackets, whose buoyancy material is CO2 gas.
4 things you should always keep in mind A buoyancy aid or a lifejacket will be effective only if:

1. You have chosen the right category and model according to its intended use
2. You have chosen the right size according to the weight and the size of the wearer
3. You wear it properly
4. You wear it at all times while at sea

Lalizas strongly suggests that you test any new lifejacket or buoyancy aid in shallow water first. In this way you can be certain that the outcome is the desired one. It is imperative that you wear a buoyancy aid or a lifejacket while on board a vessel or during any watersports’ activity, as at time of need they will prove to be priceless.

The Regulations

Buoyancy aids and lifejackets fall also within the scope of the Personal Protective Equipment Directive of the EU 89/686/EOK. According to this regulation, such products follow specific procedures for their approval and must bear the CE mark. Lalizas lifejackets and buoyancy aids are approved to the EN393, EN395 and EN396 standards, depending on their category. These standards refer to the minimum buoyancy that a lifejacket or a buoyancy aid should have based on the size of the user. Specifically for an adult of 70 kg, a buoyancy aid should give at least 50 Newton buoyancy, while the lifejackets of 100 and 150 Newton should give the respective buoyancy. Moreover the lifejackets should be made in such a way so as to turn an unconscious person in an upright position and keep his airways clear of water. Any lifejacket or buoyancy aid without the authentic CE certification that is manufactured, distributed in vending points or sold, is illegal in the European Union.

GAS INFLATION LIFEJACKETS

What is a Gas Inflation Lifejacket?

A gas inflation lifejacket is a Personal Flotation Device, whose buoyancy is produced by inflating it with a gas, which is provided in a compressed gas cylinder. Inflation is also possible by mouth. This type of lifejackets is used in their inflated form only at the time of need and not before.

Versions of Gas Inflation Lifejackets

There are different versions of Gas Inflation Lifejackets. Specifically these lifejackets can have:

• Manual or automatic inflation system. The manual inflation device is activated only by pulling the cord downwards, while the automatic inflation device can be activated either automatically when it comes in contact with the water, or manually. In all cases the lifejackets also have an oral tube as a back up or top up. LALIZAS Gas Inflation Lifejackets for adults are available with either system, while those for children have automatic inflation system as obligatory, for extra safety.
• Integral safety harness or not. Some models offer the extra safety of an integral harness, where the lifeline is attached to avoid any injury caused by fall (from the boat). LALIZAS Gas Inflation Lifejackets for adults are available with or without integral harness, while those for children have integral harness as obligatory, for extra safety.
  

General Characteristics

A Gas Inflation Lifejacket has one or two inflation chambers, manual or automatic inflation system, a CO2 gas cylinder, an oral tube and the necessary harnesses or straps. For extra security, the inflation chambers are made of durable nylon fabric with PU coating, the single or twin seams are welded, while the straps or harnesses ensure an optimum fit on the body. Gas Inflation Lifejackets are designed and constructed to offer the maximum safety and comfort and thus they are the best choice for sailing offshore and under all weather conditions.

The Regulations

Gas Inflation Lifejackets are divided in the categories of 150 and 275 Newton, depending on the buoyancy they offer. LALIZAS gas inflation lifejackets are approved to the EN 396 standard of the 150 Newton category. The EN 396 standard sets the minimum buoyancy that a lifejacket should have according the size of the user. Specifically a gas lifejacket designed for an adult of approximately 70 kg should offer at least 150Newtons buoyancy. LALIZAS products have been tested for their behaviour in the water, their endurance and for many more parameters, as it is required by the regulations. Especially for the inflation device, mainly the automatic, the tests which are required by the regulations are quite a few, so as to ensure the proper function of the device when the need arises. Gas Inflation Lifejackets with 150 Newton buoyancy are designed and tested so that, in case you lose consciousness and are face down in the water, to turn you face up within 10 seconds and to keep the airways 8cm above the surface of the water. This type of product must have the CE certification, as it is included in the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Directive (89/686/EC) of the European Union. According to this Directive, it is forbidden to manufacture, distribute to vending points, and sell products that do not have the CE certification and that have not passed all the required procedures for their approval. In most cases, the products available in the market meet the required specifications. Nevertheless there is the possibility that unsuitable or not certified products are also available. This, it is imperative that the end user is always informed and pays attention to the products available in each store.

Instructions of Use

Donning: Gas inflation Lifejackets are worn in the same way as conventional lifejackets. They fasten at the front with a durable, inox buckle. The models with a safety harness can be combined with a safety line. Function: Depending on the type of mechanism available in each lifejacket, there are three ways to operate it.

• Automatic Inflation: The automatic device contains a special paper, which dissolves when it comes in contact with water, and releases a compressed spring. After a series of mechanical actions, the CO2 gas cylinder is pierced and the lifejacket is inflated. The automatic inflation device also offers possibilities for manual activation, which is operated as described below.
• Manual Inflation: The manual device is operated by pulling the cord downwards. The CO2 gas cylinder is pierced and the lifejacket is inflated.
• Oral tube: All gas inflation lifejackets have also an oral tube as a back up or just to top up the lifejacket. In case the manual or automatic device does not operate (e.g. the cylinder has already been used and not replaced) then you can inflate the lifejacket by blowing into the oral tube. Although it may seem difficult, relevant tests have shown that this can be done in just one minute.

Service / Replacement

Service: LALIZAS recommends that once a year your gas inflation lifejackets are inspected at the LALIZAS Service station. As with all LALIZAS products, gas inflation lifejackets are constructed to endure harsh conditions. Nevertheless should one of the following take place for any reason, e.g. improper use, you should contact the Lalizas Service Station as soon as possible:

• Signs of corrosion on the CO2 gas cylinder - The device and/or the oral tube appear to have cracks
• Tears in the fabric or the seams
• Colour change
• The spare parts’ expiry date has passed

Replacement: After having made use of the gas inflation lifejackets you can purchase the spare parts for the devices from shops with LALIZAS products. When all green indicators are present in the manual or automatic system of the lifejacket there is no need to replace any of the parts. In all other cases where there is a red indicator you must replace the relevant parts. If you follow properly the instructions of use and have your lifejacket inspected once a year by a LALIZAS Service station, you ensure its longevity and proper operation at time of an emergency.

Buoyancy Aids

Use

Buoyancy aids are intended for swimmers and when the shore or any help are close. For this reason they are mostly used for water sports with varying demands. In order to meet the demands of each sport, a wide variety of designs has been developed. Specifically, Lalizas offers buoyancy aids for sailing, canoeing, kayak, dinghy sailing and water skiing. Such a variety could make your decision more difficult than easier. However you should always keep in mind that each model of buoyancy aid is designed to offer safety, fit and ease of movement, depending on the conditions of each sport. Therefore Lalizas suggests that first you decide what sport you want to practice and then choose the appropriate buoyancy aid.

Instructions of Use

Buoyancy aids are available in the form of a jacket. The type of closure depends on the demands of the each sport so as to have a better fit on you. You wear the buoyancy aid over your shoulders and zip or fasten the straps. The ‘RACE’ buoyancy aid is worn headfirst and then you zip it and adjust the straps, so as to have a comfortable fit but not too tight.

Maintenance / Replacement

Lalizas products are manufactured following the highest construction standards, so that you may enjoy the best combination of quality, durability and safety. Nevertheless, if you do not use properly your buoyancy aid and one of the following happens you must replace it with a new as soon as possible.

• The seams on the shoulders, on the side or the straps are worn out
• The straps have tears
• The clips are broken - The outer shell of the buoyancy aid is torn or has cuts
• The elastic parts are worn out and it does not have a comfortable fit (too loose)

In order to avoid all of the above, you should keep your buoyancy aid away from extreme temperatures, flame and any sharp surfaces. Also after each use, you should wash it with clear lukewarm water. Always keep in mind that you should maintain your buoyancy aid in good condition and always wear it while at sea, as it will be proved to be valuable to you, when you need it.

Adult Lifejackets

Use 100 Newton lifejackets are intended for use in semi-protected waters. Unlike buoyancy aids these lifejackets can be used also by non-swimmers. Given their importance as a lifesaving appliance, when designing 100Newton lifejackets, more emphasis is given on the safety aspect and less on the aesthetic result. Their colour varies between yellow and red and they have retro reflective tapes in order to be clearly visible from a distance. What you should always bare in mind is that 100 Newton lifejackets are not suitable for use offshore. If such are the waters you intend to travel on, 150 Newton lifejackets are more suitable, as they are designed especially for this reason.

Instructions of Use

100 Newton lifejackets can be either jackets or belts. If it is a lifejacket you wear it over the shoulders, zip it and you fasten the straps. If it is a lifebelt, you wear it headfirst through the relevant cut and fasten the strap around your waist. Always fasten the straps so as to have a good fit but without being too tight.

Maintenance / Replacement

While at sea the lifejacket is your closest friend and you must take care of it properly to stay with you for a long time. For this reason, always avoid extreme temperatures, flame and any sharp surfaces. Also after each use, you should wash it with clear lukewarm water. Always keep in mind that you must maintain your buoyancy aid in good condition and always wear it while at sea, as it will be proved valuable to you when you need it. Lalizas products are manufactured following the highest construction standards, so that they are durable and effective when needed. However if you do not use or maintain it properly, one or more of the following may occur and therefore you will need to immediately replace your lifejacket.

• The seams on the shoulders, on the side or the straps are worn out.
• The straps have tears - The clips are broken
• The outer shell of the buoyancy aid is torn or has cuts
• You must always keep your lifejacket in good condition and always wear it while at sea, as it will be proved to be priceless at time of an emergency.

SOLAS

The regulations SOLAS lifejackets come under the Directive 96/98/EC of the European Union, which refers to the obligatory marine equipment in EU vessels. In addition to the lifejackets, this regulation also includes all types of personal saving appliances that are necessary on community ships. The lifejackets of this category are approved to the SOLAS (Safety Of Life At Sea) regulation and should always bear the relevant certification, in which case it is the steering wheel mark. SOLAS lifejackets can save a person’s life anywhere and irrespective of the weather conditions. Therefore, the tests that these lifejackets should pass are much more demanding and hard. More emphasis is given on their effectiveness as lifesaving appliances and less in the aesthetic aspect.

General characteristics.

The colour of the SOLAS lifejackets is always orange and it has been standardised, since it is visible under all weather conditions. Furthermore, they should have retro reflective tapes, which are visible from a long distance.

Use

In most cases the SOLAS lifejackets are not purchased by the end user from a shop. The owner of the vessel is required to equip the vessel with it and place it on a point that is easily accessible should the worst happen. SOLAS lifejackets are not as comfortable as 100Newton lifejackets or buoyancy aids. As they are not worn at all times but rather only when needed, SOLAS lifejackets are able to keep the wearer afloat even an unconscious or heavy person under very bad weather conditions.

Instructions of Use

Most SOLAS lifejackets are in the form of lifebelt. In case you need to wear it, headfirst and fasten the straps around the waist. Always fasten the straps, so as to have a good fit but without being too tight or too loose. Pay attention that the side with the retro reflective tapes is on top.

Maintenance / Replacement

It is the shipping companies’ responsibility to maintain in good condition all the lifejackets. The replacement of the SOLAS lifejackets is to the satisfaction of the surveyors of the National Marine Administration or the Classification Society.