2 ms·

Seems like it's maybe a UK thing, and my (fairly limited) water-sports experience is kayaking and small sailboats. Isn't the English language fun?

• eesmith 2y ago
  Interesting! I checked out what the RNLI had to say at https://rnli.org/safety/lifejackets https://rnli.org/safety/lifejackets and that page only mentions lifejackets along with gas. However, if you "Download our lifejackets and buoyancy aids guide as a PDF (3.48MB)" at https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/1983319_choose_it_wear_it_final_may_19.pdf?rev=017c2179f85a477db5ab7f89d37ee35f&fd=true https://rnli.org/-/media/rnli/downloads/1983319_choose_it_we... you'll read "Children’s lifejackets may rely on foam, air and foam, or CO2 only to provide buoyancy" and "Air and foam or CO2 lifejackets meet the requirements of a level 150 lifejacket and are suitable for offshore use. Normally, foam lifejackets provide level 100 buoyancy and are suitable for inshore use." A further search of the RNLI site finds https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2018/june/the-evolution-of-lifesaving-kit https://rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2018/june/t... with "The foam-based Beaufort lifejacket [of the 1970s] upped the buoyancy level, allowing a crew member to also support the person being rescued." but by the 1990s "The bulkier gear of all-weather lifeboat crews meant they needed a more compact lifejacket, which inflated automatically on hitting the water using a built-in gas canister." Since I learned my small watercraft skills in the warm waters of Florida, instead of chilly UK, I can see how that would make a difference.