LIFE JACKETS TYPE

No matter where you are sailing in the world it is important to understand what type of
life jackets or PFDs (Personal Flotation Device) you have on board and available to
you. There are four common standards that are found in life jackets (or vests) around
the world which we will discuss. Other standards exist, but they are generally derived
from one or more of the following:

o US Standards – USCG Approved

o International Standards – ISO
o European Standards – CE
o Commercial Standards – SOLAS

Key factors to consider when choosing a sailing life jacket:

o Flotation – This is measured in pounds (US) or Newtons (Europe). The more buoyant
foam in a life jacket or air in the inflation bladder the more pounds of flotation is
provided, and the higher your head is buoyed above the water. The rougher the
conditions or the more heavy clothing and accessories you wear, the more flotation you
may require.
o Type of Sailing – Are you looking for a life jacket that is stowed and only donned in
an offshore emergency in potentially rough conditions? Are you sailing near shore and
looking for basic life vest to stow away just to be USCG compliant? Are you a cruising
sailor who always wears an inflatable life jacket for comfort and safety or a small boat
racer who wants to maximize freedom of movement and requires only flotation aid in
the water? Be sure of the type of sailing activity you need your life jacket to best
perform for.

US Standards – USCG Approved

Type I: Offshore Life Jackets:
o

o Best for all waters; open ocean, rough seas, or remote water, where rescue may
be slow coming. Though foam types are bulky, inflatables ones are not. They
have the most buoyancy, reflective tape, a bright color and can turn most
unconscious people face up in the water. Type I foam life jackets can be
uncomfortable to wear while sailing. Foam type I jackets provide 33 pounds (100
Newtons) of flotation, while type I inflatable life jackets provide 33 pounds (150
Newtons) of flotation. There are currently no USCG approved type I inflatable life
jackets.
Type II: Near-shore Vests:
o

o Calm inland waters, where a quick rescue is likely, is the intent of these PFDs.
They will turn some unconscious wearers to the face-up position but not all of them.
Foam Type II’s are ‘bulky’ and not generally comfortable to wear while sailing, but
less ‘bulky’ than foam Type I’s. Foam type II jackets provide 15.5 pounds (70
Newtons) of flotation, while type II inflatable life jackets provide have 33 pounds
(150 Newtons) of flotation. Type II foam life jacket are usually the inexpensive
type stowed on board to insure USCG compliance. Inflatable Type IIs offer higher
flotation and comfort and are popular for wearing at all times.

Type III: Flotation Aids:

o These are suitable for most sailors where there is a chance for a quick rescue.
They offer freedom of movement and the most comfort for a conscious person.
Foam type III’s are designed so wearers can put themselves in a face -up position,
but they may have to tilt their head back to avoid being face down in
water. Inflatable type III’s generally float a person head back. Foam type III life
vests provide 15.5 pounds (70 Newtons) of flotation, while inflatable type III life
jackets provide 22 pounds (100 Newtons) of flotation. Type III foam life jackets
are comfortable and popular for those wearing them as all times. Inflatable type
III’s inflatables offer higher flotation and even greater comfort and are popular for
wearing at all time.
Type IV: Throwable Devices:

o Cushions or ring buoys are designed to be thrown to someone in trouble and

provide backup to a PFD. They are not for non-swimmers, rough waters or the
unconscious. The USCG does not require these for dinghies, canoes,
kayaks. These are not worn like a life jacket, generally just held onto by someone
in the water. Type IV ring buoys provide 16.5 pounds (75 Newtons) of flotation,
and throwable boat cushions provide 18 pounds (82 Newtons) of flotation

Type V: Special-use Devices:

These are specialized PFDs for specific activities. To be acceptable by the USCG, they
must be used for the activity specified on the label. Varieties include sailing, kayaking,
water skiing, windsurfing, hybrid vests and deck suits. For sailing these generally
consist of inflatable life jackets with harnesses, or over the head entry foam life jackets
for dinghy sailing. Type V life jackets provide 15.5 – 22 pounds (70 – 100 Newtons) of
flotation, while inflatable type V life jackets provide 22 – 34 pounds (100 – 155
Newtons) of flotation. These vests will usually be labeled either ‘Type V with Type II
performance’ or ‘Type V with Type III performance’. The label will also specify what
specific ‘Special use’ the life jacket is designed for.

International Standards – ISO

ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of
national standards bodies and has established and recognized standards for life
jackets. If a jacket is compliant with their standards it will be marked with ‘ISO’ on the
vest and the flotation type. ISO compliant does NOT make the vest USCG approved.

European Standards (EN) – CE

The CE standard is determined by the European Standards (EN) and is recognized by
the European Union and by the European Free Trade Association. CE compliance is
recognized by some 34 member European countries. If the vest is compliant it will be
marked with ‘CE’ and the flotation type. CE compliant does NOT make the vest USCG
approved.
ISO & CE Types
Both types are the same in terms of their buoyancy and generally in features too.

50N – Buoyancy Aid:

Designed for competent swimmers in sheltered water were help is close at hand. They
only provide support to conscious people who can help themselves, and are an aid to
flotation only. They have 50 Newtons (11 lbs.) of flotation.

100N – Life Jacket:

For swimmers and non-swimmers in inshore waters. They give reasonable assurance
of safety from drowning in relatively calm waters. Not guaranteed to self -right an
unconscious user, and should not be expected to protect the airway of an unconscious
person in rough water. They have 100 Newtons (22 lbs.) of flotation.

150N – Life Jacket:

For swimmers and non-swimmers for use in all but the most sever conditions. They
give reasonable assurance of safety to people not fully capable of helping
themselves. May not immediately self-right an unconscious used wearing heavy
waterproof clothing. Has 150 Newtons (33 lbs.) of flotation.

275N – Life Jacket:

For swimmers and non-swimmers. A high performance device for offshore and severe
conditions when maximum flotation is required or where heavy clothing or tools are
worn. They give improved assurance of safely from drowning to people who are not
capable of helping themselves while they cannot be guaranteed to self -right an
unconscious person wearing heavy clothing or tools, they should in the great majority
of cases. The have 275 Newtons (61 lbs.) of flotation.

A noticeable difference between USCG approved and ISO & CE types are the 50N and
275N types. These do not exist in the USCG type categories, and provide a broader
range of flotation options. Additionally, the ISO & CE types do not differentiate between
foam and inflatable life vests and the amount of flotation they provide. USCG approved
life jackets have different flotation requirements for foam and inflatables fo r any given
type.When sailing internationally on a noncommercial vessel, foreign countries widely
accept life jackets that are compliant in your vessels’ flagged country and do not require
compliance with their local life jacket requirements.

Commercial Standards – SOLAS

SOLAS (The International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea) is an international
maritime treaty which requires signatory flag states (participating countries) to ensure
that ships flagged by them (registered in their country) to comply with minimum safety
standards in construction, equipment and operation. SOLAS compliant does NOT
make a vest USCG approved, although many manufacture’s life jackets are both
SOLAS compliant and USCG approved. Recreational boats are not required to have
SOLAS compliant life jackets. SOLAS Type I life jackets generally provide up to 35
pounds (155 Newtons) of flotation. They are required to have a safety whistle, hauling
in/up strap for recovering wearers, reflective tape, an attachment line for joining t o
others in the water, among other features.