Gear: Crewsaver ErgoFit+ lifejacket

The ErgoFit+ looks like a normal inflatable vest, although it is a bit thicker than normal. That’s because it carries a crucial modification: an aviation-inspired, halo-style spray hood that protects the user’s face.

“The halo hood system has been tailored to the shape of the inflated bladder to significantly reduce the amount of water that can reach your airway,” Crewsaver said. “This improved bladder and spray hood compatibility is combined with a new double-halo hood construction.

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“The result is a fully self-supporting hood, which once deployed, forms a spacious chamber above the wearer’s face.

“The hood also includes an internal barrier protecting you further against any water ingress, whilst doubling up as an anti-glare panel to shield your eyes from the flashing lifejacket light.”

Dry drowning can occur when a lifejacket provides plenty of buoyancy to keep its wearer’s head above water, but waves and spray continue to hit the wearer’s face. Crewsaver said the hood system also helped to increase visibility and retain heat.

The design of the lifejacket’s bladder helps it to distribute buoyancy to maximise support an airway protection.

“Even when wearing heavy clothing, the ErgoFit is designed to rotate the wearer quickly whilst increasing the distance between the waterline and airway (mouth freeboard),” it said.

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“The sculpted shaping around the shoulders provides improved in-water mobility and with it the ability for the wearer to self-help recovery back to safety.”

Crewsaver said it had also redesigned the buckle system for the ErgoFit+ to include a single-loop harness attachment point “for ease of tethering”.

England-based Crewsaver said the ErgoFit+ lifejacket would be available for sale from March, 2019.