KEY POINTS:
It is compulsory for all vessels to carry sufficient numbers of lifejackets or personal flotation devices (PFDs) of the right size for everyone on board.
Lifejackets or PFDs must also be worn in times of "heightened danger" - in other words in times of bad weather, low visibility and emergencies.
There are now a wide range of lifejackets on the market and choosing the right one can be as important as making sure it is always close at hand.
The main types of lifejackets are the traditional closed cell foam variety, in a range of styles, depending on the sort of boating being done; PFDs, better known as buoyancy vests; and the increasingly popular inflatable lifejackets.
The main advantage of a foam lifejacket is the security of knowing that the buoyancy is always "active". There are also no ongoing servicing costs. Foam lifejackets are a little more expensive than buoyancy vests but offer better protection in moderate and rough water. Buoyancy vests are best suited to high-activity water sports, such as centreboard sailing, kayaking and riding on water toys or jetskis.
Inflatable lifejackets, on the other hand, are more expensive than traditional foam lifejackets (about 40-50 per cent). However, as their growing share of the market indicates, they have one distinct advantage: they are easy to wear.
One of the biggest problems water safety campaigners face is getting people to actually wear their lifejackets. Conventional foam lifejackets have a reputation for being bulky and uncomfortable and, while that is no longer as true as it was, many people still do not put them on.
Inflatable lifejackets by contrast are virtually unnoticeable in their "passive" form. This makes them comfortable to wear and so encourages more people to slip into them when they get on board. According to Bernard Orme, operations manager for major lifejacket manufacturer, Hutchwilco, inflatables now represent about 10 per cent of the market. However, as he points out, they are not suitable for everyone.
"Children under 6 should always wear a properly fitting, foam lifejacket," he says.
"They need an inherently buoyant jacket. After that, it is largely a matter of choice but I prefer to keep my children in foam until they are at least 11 years old.
"You should never buy a lifejacket that is 'slightly' too big and wait for them to grow into it. For a lifejacket to work, it needs to fit snugly."
He also suggests putting young children into their first lifejacket in a swimming pool or other sheltered water.
"That way, their first experience of wearing one is in a calm, fun environment."
