What is the difference?
 A Lifejacket will support you completely whilst in the water with a collar that will keep your face out of the water. A Buoyancy aid is an aid to swimming and will give you some buoyancy to assist you in the water.
so which one do I need - Lifejacket or Buoyancy aid?
This will depend upon the type of watersports you are doing and whether or not you can swim. Young children and adults that cannot swim must wear a Lifejacket.
Buoyancy aids are generally worn for jet-skiing and waterskiing (ski style has lots of buckles for secure fit), canoeing (high cut for ease of movement), windsurfing and other active watersports. Lifejackets are often worn on motorised boats. If in doubt seek advice from your sailing club.
Lifejackets for children:
 We advise that children (especially young children) wear a Lifejacket with permanent buoyancy. This is as opposed to the type that is inflatable (either manually inflated by pulling a cord, or automatically inflated as you hit the water).
Not just on the boat - small children should also wear their lifejackets near the water on jetties, slipways and towpaths. Wherever there is a chance that they could fall in!
Never get a lifejacket or buoyancy aid too large for a child!
 Never be tempted to buy a lifejacket or buoyancy aid for a child that is too large for them and you think they will grow into. If a lifejacket or buoyancy aid is too large and your child falls into the water, as they hit the water it will rise up. A loose fitting lifejacket or buoyancy aid could rise up over their head and also trap the arms. In this case the child would not be even able to try and swim.
Always buy a correctly fitting lifejacket or buoyancy aid! |
Although you may be a good swimmer, the water round the British coast and Estuaries can be very cold and there is often a very strong under-current. 
We sell a range of clothing suitable for many watersports. Of course the time of year and weather conditions will affect your clothing choices as well as the type of watersport you are doing. All important too - footwear and gloves are detailed in sections 3 and 4. 
How a wetsuit works:
You will need footwear you can get wet, that has a good grip, that isn't too cumbersome and will keep you warm enough for the weather conditions. 
Neoprene boots - suitable for a variety of watersports. Used by wind-surfers, jet skiers, in canoes etc. Very versatile these act in the same way as a wetsuit. When they get wet the water will warm up and keep your feet insulated. 
Various hat styles - warm woolly hat for cold weather or a hat with a shade that can clip on to your clothing for hot weather, so you don't lose it in the wind! 
Sunglasses designed for use on the water have frames that let water flow out, hydrophobic lenses that bead away water, head band so they don't fall off and other sports features. 
Its always a good idea to protect your mobile in a watertight container in case of it getting wet. We sell the Musto Micro Comms Case, Comms Case and Crewsaver's Dry Case. These float too! 
and don't forget if you’re taking your pet on or near the water, their safety should be just as important as yours.