What type of lifejacket do I need?

That applies to lifejackets – also known as personal flotation devices, or PDFs – which are often bought according to which one happens to be on sale at the time. Even I’m guilty of that.

But stop and think for a moment. A lifejacket could make all the difference in an emergency situation, but only if you’re wearing it, and it’s up to the task.

So what lifejackets do you wear in what situations? There is a number to choose from and it all comes down to a three-step rating system.

A new rating standard was introduced for PFDs a decade ago. However, the Federal Government settled on a 10-year grace period for people to update the older lifejackets to the new standard, which ended last year.

It’s easy to tell if your lifejacket adheres to the new standard because it will be marked as “PFD1”, “PFD2” or “PFD3” to indicate which part of the new standard it complies with. It should also have the new standard number printed on it: AS4758.

PFD Type 1 is defined as lifejackets that are certified for general boating, Type 2 is defined as buoyancy vests, and Type 3 is defined as buoyancy aids.

PFD Type 1 lifejackets are themselves split into different levels according to how much buoyancy they provide. The buoyancy refers to how much lift they provide to the wearer, with the more lift translating to more ability to keep your head above the water.

The minimum level for Type 1 lifejackets is 100 (the number represents the Newton metres of lifting force the lifejacket has when it is in the water) but for extreme offshore applications, they can go as high as 275.

A used lifejacket may be a cheaper option for boat owners, but it may also be the most expensive.

If you're buying a used jacket, ask if it has the code "AS4758" printed on it. If it does, the lifejacket complies with the new standard, and as long as you're happy with the jacket's condition it could be a good buy.

However, if the lifejacket doesn't have that number on it, you're buying trouble. Using a lifejacket that doesn't comply with the new standard could land you in hot water when the water police stop you to do a safety audit.

If you're disposing of a non-compliant jacket, cut the harness straps to ensure no one can see it at the tip and try and resell it as a second-hand lifejacket to an unsuspecting buyer.

If you're disposing of an inflating lifejacket, check the gas cylinder to see that it's free of rust, and if it is, keep it as a spare to replace cylinders set off accidentally.

If it is rusted, use it to inflate a lifejacket that you're servicing. Let the kids do it so they get familiar with what will happen if a lifejacket is ever deployed in an emergency.

Click below for our guide to buying the right lifejacket for your needs.

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