How Does a Buoyancy Aid Work?

Buoyancy aids, often called buoyancy vests or jackets, are designed to provide you with buoyancy while in the water. They are suitable 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 assumed that the wearer can still swim or keep themselves afloat while waiting for help. Therefore, buoyancy aids are perfect for activities where you are near the shore and anticipate entering the water.

When purchasing a buoyancy aid, you will often see the term “50N” in the product description. This indicates the amount of buoyancy the jacket provides. 50N is standard for buoyancy aids, whereas life jackets typically have 100N or 150N.

What Buoyancy Aid Do I Need?

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

To get the right size, you’ll need to know your weight and chest circumference. If you’re unsure if the vest is the correct size, a good way to check is to have someone try to lift the jacket from the shoulders once you have it on. If the jacket moves up significantly (more than 5cm), it is too loose, and you should either tighten it or opt for a smaller size.

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