Test before use
The wearer's weight, size and clothing, and the design of the flotation garment are factors that affect how a flotation garment behaves in practice.
In order for you to have the best possible control over how the vest works, you should read the instructions carefully. Both young and old can also benefit from testing the vest in practice to get to know its features better.
There are mainly three different types of life jackets: life jackets with collars, traditional life jackets and inflatable life jackets.
Life jackets
Life jackets have a collar that helps an unconscious person keep their head above water. These vests are particularly suitable for children or others who cannot swim, and if you are going to travel far from land, it is also a good idea to choose a life jacket rather than a life jacket.
Life jackets
Traditional life jackets are flotation garments without a collar, shaped like a vest. Here, the head gets no support. Life jackets provide the user with an upright position in the water and are best suited for people who can swim or who will be close to shore.
Inflatable life jackets
There are several types of inflatable life jackets - designed as jackets, vests or so-called "sausage vests" that are fastened over the shoulders or around the neck. Such vests also provide a more upright position in the water and are best suited for older children and adults who can swim.
Inflatable vests should initially inflate automatically, but you should also be able to inflate them manually by pulling on a string or blowing through a nozzle. This can be difficult for young children in an emergency situation.
Mandatory with flotation devices
Everyone who is in recreational boats under eight meters must wear suitable flotation equipment when the boat is moving. It is the boater's responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 15 have suitable flotation equipment on.
The NMA has prepared a separate guide to the vest requirement.