How Does a Buoyancy Aid Work?

Buoyancy aids, often called buoyancy vests or jackets, are designed to provide buoyancy in the water. They are used for various water sports, such as paddle boarding, and are a crucial piece of safety equipment.

Buoyancy vests should not be considered a replacement for a life jacket. With buoyancy aids, it is expected that the wearer can still swim or keep afloat while waiting for help. Therefore, buoyancy aids are ideal for activities near the shore where you might end up in the water.

When purchasing a buoyancy aid, you may come across the term “50N” in the product description. This indicates the amount of buoyancy the jacket offers. 50N is standard for buoyancy aids, whereas life jackets typically offer 100N or 150N.

What Buoyancy Aid Do I Need?

All buoyancy vests are designed to be flexible and provide good freedom of movement. They are not specific to any sport, so you need to consider your swimming ability and how much buoyancy you require for your activity.

To find the right size, you need to know your weight and chest circumference. If you are unsure whether the vest you have is the right size, a good way to check is to have someone try to lift the jacket from the shoulders after you have put it on. If the jacket slides up significantly (over 5cm), it is too loose, and you should either tighten it or opt for a smaller size.

If you need more buoyancy protection, visit our Life Jackets section.