Buoyancy Aid - Specifications

Specifications

Buoyancy aids come with a set of specifications detailing their sizing, weight range, and the standards they adhere to. This is often in a table printed onto the inside of the buoyancy aid, or a label on the bag/box. Most companies give the specifications for each of their models on all of their buoyancy aids, to simplify the manufacturing process, so it is important to check the model and size range of your particular buoyancy aid.

Buoyancy aids should detail:

• Chest size: Usually a range either in inches or centimetres.
• Weight range: Either in kilograms or pounds.
• Force provided: The buoyant force provided by the buoyancy aid.

• For a buoyancy aid to be sold in the European Union, it must be C.E. tested and approved.

• In the USA, a buoyancy aid may be approved by the United States Coast Guard (although this is not a requirement). Most canoeing and kayaking buoyancy aids class as "Type III Flotation Aids", which means they provide a minimum of 15.5 lbf (pounds-force) (69 N) of buoyancy.