Lifejackets

Who must carry them?

Vessels operating in unprotected waters (outside the waters contained by any breakwater or in any lake, river or estuary other than the waters of Cambridge Gulf or Lake Argyle) must carry an approved lifejacket for each person on board.

Each lifejacket must suit the weight of the person for whom it is intended, be maintained in good condition and kept in an easily accessible place.

When to wear lifejackets

Lifejackets are a key safety feature in recreational boating. A National Marine Safety Committee (NMSC) study found that people who survived a boating incident were more than two times more likely to have been wearing a lifejacket compared to those who died and concluded that if lifejacket usage increased to 50%, 2-3 lives could be saved nationally each year.

Besides wearing them in emergencies, you also enhance safety if you wear lifejackets in the following circumstances:

• At the first sign of bad weather.
• Between sunset and sunrise or during restricted visibility.
• When operating in unfamiliar waters.
• When operating with a following sea.
• When boating alone (this is especially recommended).
• At all times on children under 10 years.
• If you are a poor swimmer.

Practice putting them on in the dark and in the water; it is harder than you think.

Lifejackets for personal watercraft

People on-board a personal watercraft (PWC) are required to wear a lifejacket whilst they are operating the craft. Refer to the table below for more detail.

Note:

Vessels under 3.75 metres are not permitted more than five nautical miles off shore.

Level 100, 150, 275

Approved for use in unprotected waters.

Standard: AS 4758 or ISO 12402: level 275, level 150, level 100 or AS 1512.

Level 100 and higher lifejackets provide a high level of buoyancy and are:

• Approved for use in unprotected waters.
• Fitted with head and neck support.
• Designed to keep you in a face up floating position.
• Manufactured using high-visibility colours.
• Suitable for offshore and general boating in all waters.

Level 50

Not approved for general use in unprotected waters. *

Standard: AS 4758 or ISO 12402 - level 50 or AS 1499.

Level 50 lifejackets have a lower level of buoyancy than the Level 100 and higher lifejackets and are:

• Not approved for general use in unprotected waters.
• Not fitted with head and neck support.
• Not designed to keep you in a face up floating position.
• Manufactured using high-visibility colours.
• Normally used for sailing, kayaking, canoeing, wind surfing and on personal water craft.

* 'General use in unprotected waters' includes all vessels except for: Personal Watercafts operating within 400 metres of the shore, paddlecraft, sailboards and kitesurfers.

Level 50S

Not approved for general use in unprotected waters. *

Standard: AS 4758 or ISO 12402 - level 50S or AS 2260.

Level 50S lifejackets have similar buoyancy to the Level 50 lifejackets and are:

• Not approved for general use in unprotected waters.
• Not fitted with head and neck support.
• Not designed to keep you in a face up floating position.
• Not manufactured using high-visibility colours.
• Favoured by waterskiers, wakeboarders, kayakers and canoeists where comfort and style are important.
• Available as a built in garment (e.g. water skiing wet suit).

* 'General use in unprotected waters' includes all vessels except for: Personal Watercafts operating within 400 metres of the shore, paddlecraft, sailboards and kitesurfers.

Choosing and maintaining a lifejacket - size and weight

Infants: because of the varying weight distribution of babies it is difficult to put flotation in the right places; children less than about a year old cannot be adequately catered for and should not go afloat.

For older children, there are three main things to look for:

• The weight range on the lifejackets label agrees with the child's weight.
• The lifejacket is a snug fit (loose lifejackets work poorly).
• The child is comfortable while wearing it.

For adults, too, a snug fit is important. As for comfort, generally the less money you pay, the more uncomfortable the lifejacket.

Choose a lifejacket that is made in bright colours and with reflective tape which will assist resources find you at night.

Maintaining lifejackets

You should check the condition of your lifejackets periodically. Check for cuts and tears that could let water enter the jacket and rot the buoyant material. Check that the tabs are in good condition and not frayed.

Lifejacket Portal

ANZBEG (the Australia New Zealand Safe Boating Education Group) have a website to help boaters check, find out where to service, and how to register their lifejacket. By registering your lifejacket, you will receive servicing tips and reminders for this important piece of safety equipment. You can register via the website link below.

Lifejackets made to the standards Australian Standards 1512, Australian Standard 1499 and Australian Standard 2260 are still acceptable for use as long as they are in good condition. You do not have to upgrade your current personal flotation device.

Do you need to upgrade?

No.

Lifejackets made to the old standards will be acceptable for use into the foreseeable future. If you purchase a lifejacket made to an old standard now and look after it, you can expect many years of service. A date may be set for eventual retirement of the old standards.

More information is available on the National Marine Safety Committee website.

Inflatable lifejackets are becoming increasingly popular. These C02 inflated garments are lighter and less cumbersome than conventional foam lifejackets and are quite versatile; they're even made as wet weather jackets and windproof vests.

Care should be taken when purchasing an inflatable jacket to ensure that it conforms with Australian Standards: AS 4758 - level 100 (or higher), AS 1512, ISO 12402 or PFD Type 1. This will be clearly marked on the lifejacket.

You should be aware of the added maintenance requirements that come with this style of jacket and carry out self checks regularly (see opposite). Crew and passengers should be briefed on their operation.

Inflatable lifejacket maintenance

It is important that inflatable lifejackets are serviced regularly.

You should follow the manufacturer's instructions or, if the manufacturer doesn't specify, you should have your lifejacket serviced at least every 12 months. This will ensure it is in good working order.

Self check your inflatable lifejackets

Inflatable lifejackets are certainly very convenient but remember to be diligent with your checks and undertake regular servicing. Self checking a lifejacket can be done at any time to ensure the jacket is functioning properly.

Step 1

• Check for visible signs of wear and damage.
• Ensure all fastenings and buckles are in good working order.

Step 2

• Following the manufacturer's instructions, reveal the inflation system and oral inflation tube.
• Inflate the bladder using the oral tube and leave overnight in a room with a constant temperature.
• If the bladder loses pressure, immediately take the jacket to an accredited service agent for further tests.
• Do not attempt to repair the jacket yourself.

Step 3

• Use the cap attached to the oral inflation tube to deflate the bladder.
• Invert the cap and press down on the valve at the top of the oral tube.
• Do not insert other objects into top of tube as they may damage the valve.
• Roll or press jacket to deflate fully.

Step 4

• Remove CO2 cylinder and inspect. The cylinder should be intact with no rust or corrosion.
• Weigh the cylinder on kitchen or letter scales, ensure weight corresponds to the minimum gross weight engraved on cylinder +/- 2g.
• If the cylinder is rusted, corroded, has been pierced or is not the correct weight it should be replaced immediately. On auto inflation jackets also ensure the auto components are armed and in date. Refit the cylinder to inflation system, tightening it by hand until firm.
• Do not over tighten.

Step 5

• Record the date of maintenance on the service label on the lifejacket.

Step 6

• Repack jacket as per manufacturer's instructions.
• Ensure manual inflation toggle is accessible and unlikely to be caught when being worn.

The 'Old4New lifejacket upgrade and awareness program', previously delivered by DoT in partnership with the Royal Life Saving Society of Western Australia (RLSSWA), successfully promoted the wearing of lifejackets at all times while boating.

The 4 year program saw 5,000 old, damaged or obsolete lifejackets removed from recreational vessels throughout WA and replaced with new, easy to wear inflatable lifejackets.

DoT is now implementing the new 'Make a difference - maintain and wear your lifejacket' program.

RLSSWA continues to deliver the Old4New program.