What is Buoyancy Aid?
Buoyancy aids are a specialist form of personal flotation device used most commonly by kayakers, canoeists, people practicing rafting, and dinghy sailors.
They are designed as a flotation aid, rather than merely a life-saving device, and have several key differences from other PFDs and lifejackets.
Best Buoyancy Aid In Kenya
What to look for when buying a buoyancy aid?
Key Features of a Buoyancy Aid
- Offers at least 50N of buoyancy.
- Compact, foam design – don’t rely on inflation.
- Won’t necessarily have crotch straps.
- May include convenient pockets for storage.
Will a 50N buoyancy aid keep you afloat?
A 50N-rated aid provides a minimum of 5kg of buoyancy. Buoyancy aids at level 50 are recommended for use by those who are competent swimmers and who are near to land, or who have help close at hand. However, they do not have sufficient buoyancy to protect a person who is unable to help themselves.
What material has the best buoyancy?
A thin, inflatable object like a rubber raft is an ideal way to trap air for floatation. Styrofoam works well too because consists mostly of trapped air.
It may not be very strong, however (and the rubber raft may have strength or stability issues as well). Balsa wood is also mostly trapped air.
What size buoyancy aid should I get?
These levels of buoyancy should be considered and influence your choice. There are four main buoyancy levels: 50, 100, 150 and 275.
In general terms, Level 50 is a buoyancy aid designed for when help is close at hand, whereas Level 150 is a general-purpose lifejacket used for offshore cruising and motor boating.
How much weight can a 50N buoyancy aid hold?
A 50N buoyancy aid is therefore recommended for swimmers who weigh at least 25kg. All products in Baltic’s range of flotation clothing are tested and approved according to the 50N standard.