Life jacket

According to Wikipedia, a personal flotation device (PFD) is a vest or suit designed to keep a user afloat in water. In marine practice, a strict technical distinction is made between a buoyancy aid (50N) and a true life jacket (100N, 150N, or 275N standards under ISO 12402). A 50 Newton buoyancy aid assists conscious swimmers in sheltered waters, but lacks the turning force to keep an incapacitated wearer's head clear of waves.

For offshore and coastal cruising, a 150 Newton (150N) gas-inflatable life jacket serves as the standard safety equipment. When inflated, it provides sufficient positive buoyancy to automatically turn an unconscious person face-up within 5 seconds, maintaining the airways at least 80–120 mm above the water level. For severe ocean passage-making with heavy foul-weather gear, 275 Newton jackets are deployed to overcome trapped air inside oilskins. Automatic models utilize hydrostatic (Hammar) or water-soluble pill triggers, alongside manual pull cords and oral inflation tubes.

Understanding essential safety gear is a core element of basic yachting terminology. Personal life jackets often rank high among practical yachting gifts for crew members. Every offshore jacket must feature a crotch strap, whistle, reflective tape, and a safety harness attachment point (D-ring) rated to ISO 12401 standards.