The Pros and Cons of Different Types of Personal Floatation Devices

A variety of personal floatation devices are available for paddlesport activity from both established manufacturers and newer sellers. More recently, new styles of buoyancy aids and life jackets have been placed for sale via online marketplaces. Many of these have been subject to product recalls from the Government Office for Product Safety and Standards as they do not meet the required standards and pose a possible risk to life. Other types of personal floatation devices, such as gilet styles, are also becoming increasingly popular with bankside coaches due to being less burdensome to wear.

It is essential that the type of personal floatation device chosen is suitable for the paddlesport activity and environment, is properly fitted, and meets ISO standard 12402 with a buoyancy of at least 50n.

The pros and cons of the different types of personal floatation device listed below will be considered:

1. Traditional hard foam buoyancy aid
2. Waist belt personal floatation device
3. Gilet style personal floatation device

Traditional hard foam buoyancy aid

A traditional buoyancy aid is considered to be your primary form of floatation and is designed to immediately provide buoyancy in the water. It is appropriate for the majority of paddling environments and craft, including where there is moving or flowing water.

Pros:

• Provides good ease of movement and female specific fits are available
• Good life span with normal use and when well looked after

Cons:

• Often a higher initial cost which might be a barrier to those starting out
• Some might find this style less comfortable or less practical for certain activities

Waist belt personal floatation device

The waist belt, also known as “airbelt style”, is especially popular among stand up paddleboarders.

Pros:

• Easy to wear and fits around the waist
• Allows free and unrestricted movement

Cons:

• These waist belts do not give immediate support
• They need to be manually fitted over the head and deployed once in the water
• Requires regular practise on the deployment whilst treading water

Gilet style personal floatation device

This style of personal floatation device is made of soft, flexible fabric for a comfortable fit, and is often fleece lined for greater warmth.

Pros:

• These are marketed to be a lightweight fit which may be more practical for those coaching from the bank

Cons:

• Many of these have been found to be below standard for the activities that they are used
• Not designed to white water environments

Further information on the types of buoyancy aid for appropriate use by those on stand up paddle boards can be found in the GoPaddling article here.