RMDL Life Jackets

Personal equipment
Lifejackets
Lifejackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on any boat. They must comply with the standard and be the right size. They should be kept in an accessible position and not used as cushions and fenders.
The stowage compartment for lifejackets is to be clearly labelled and visible to passengers. Labels must have the word ‘lifejacket’ in red text on a white background or white text on a red background.
Wearing of lifejackets is now compulsory for everyone aged one year or over in open boats under 4.8 metres while crossing a designated coastal bar. Children under the age of 12 years in open boats under 4.8 metres must wear a lifejacket while underway, this includes when drifting.
Safety can also be enhanced if lifejackets are worn in the following circumstances:

• at the first sign of bad weather
• in an emergency situation
• between sunset and sunrise or during restricted visibility
• when operating in unfamiliar waters
• when operating with a following sea
• when boating alone
• at all times on poor swimmers and children under 12
(compulsory when underway in open boats less than 4.8 m)

Practise putting them on in the dark and in the water—it is harder than you think!
Types of lifejackets
Level 275, 150 or 100—has a flotation collar to keep the head above water. They are in highly visible colours (orange and/or yellow) and have reflective tape to increase visibility at night. They can be used in all waters but are most useful when boating offshore or in rough weather.
Level 50—does not have a collar to keep the head above water. They are manufactured in visible safety colours and are good for waterskiing, PWC (jetskis), sailing boats and dinghies, where the user is in the water only for a short time. They are not designed to maintain a person (especially an unconscious person) in a safe floating position.
Level 50 special purpose—has the same buoyancy as a Level 50 lifejacket although colours are not as visible.
It may be a specified buoyancy wetsuit. These are not recommended for general boating use because the colours are less visible in search and rescue operations.
COASTAL and Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) lifejackets—are designed to keep the body afloat for long periods of time. They have reflective tape to improve visibility at night and a whistle attached to attract attention. These jackets are mostly carried by commercial boats and should be carried on boats operating long distances from shore.