Good and cheap - or more expensive and safer, big or small? Anyone looking for a life jacket can draw on a wide range. Around 15 providers are represented on the German market. And usually with significantly more than one model - so there is plenty of choice.
The standard-compliant classification according to buoyancy and intended use provides a starting point. The EN ISO 12402 provides for the levels 150 Newton and 275 Newton for sea areas - whereby the classes are named after the respective minimum buoyancy. However, the vests usually have more volume, which the manufacturers make clear in the product names in an effective way.
Vests of the 150 Newton level are considered to be the basic equipment for seagoing yachts; according to the standard, they should be faint-proof and suitable for general use. In this context, fainting-proof means that the wearer's mouth and nose are reliably kept above water and a person floating unconscious in the water is turned or held in a supine position.
The sticking point here is the phrase "general application". Because although the standard expressly speaks of weatherproof sailing clothing, the vests only have to turn unconscious test persons in swimwear on their backs in the test procedure.
In practice, however, the vest should often be worn with oilskins. In the process, air cushions inevitably form in the trousers and under the jacket, which often provide as much buoyancy as a 150 Newton life jacket, but unfortunately on the back and thus counteract the required function of the vest. There can then be no question of a reliable rotation into a faint-proof position.
Nevertheless, the 150 Newton vests have their raison d'etre, because by no means is an immediate unconsciousness to be feared every time you go overboard. In addition, the fall is usually influenced by the railing, whereby the sailor either lands on his back in the water or at least receives an angular momentum. Accordingly, our test subject was dressed in oilskin and sailing shoes, as is usual in practice, and fell backwards into the water.
That's how we tested
The practical test was divided into two parts: on dry land and in water. All vests were weighed in advance, and the workmanship of the harness and adjustability were assessed at the edge of the pool. It was advantageous for the evaluation if the vest could be easily adjusted by the wearer when it was put on. An important point was then the wearing comfort with special consideration of the position of the vest in the neck. Ideally, she should go far on her back without pressing the neck.
In the second part, our tester (height 1.80 meters, weight 85 kilograms) always dropped into the water in the same way. Special features during the activation such as slipped or constricted buoyancy bodies were photographed and assessed, as well as the swimming position and wearing comfort in the water with special attention to the distance between the buoyancy bodies. If there is a gap, it forms a channel that directs waves exactly to the mouth and nose of the MOB and can lead to swallowing or suffocation.
With an auxiliary construction on the edge of the pool, the distance to the lower lip and the water was measured, from which the freeboard of the vest could be calculated - the greater the distance, the better. Equipment such as spray cap and lighting were also rated.
And this is how the individual models performed:
Marine pool 220N Sport
The vest sits well on the shoulders. The belt can be adjusted usefully. Buoyancy twisted on the cartridge side, thereby opening it clearly. Can be easily corrected. Three out of five for the Marinepool 220N Sport.
Seago Active 190
Sits well on the shoulder, neck is free. The belt is difficult to adjust. The Seago Aktiv 190 inflates slowly and continues to inflate for a long time. Then a lot of pressure on the bladder. Chokes and presses against the larynx. The signal light is in an unfavorable position. Four out of five.
Compass Aero 3D 165 N
The vest sits well on the shoulders. The belt can be adjusted usefully. Buoyancy chokes, cartridge side twisted when triggered. Can be easily corrected. Four out of five points for the Compass Aero 3D 165 N.
Besto Comfort Fit
Sits well on the shoulders, but lies against the neck. Belt can be adjusted moderately. Buoyancy opens up clearly in the water, creating a wave channel. Presses relatively little. No display of the cartridge status. The Besto Comfort Fit * achieved three out of five points.
SVB Classic 165
The vest sits relatively close to the neck. The belt is difficult to adjust under load. Buoyancy sits a little high and opens up clearly. Can be easily corrected, after which the bladder sits well and closes. The Seatec SVB Classic 165 is the cheapest model. Three out of five.
Crewfit 180N Pro
The price-performance tip: Comfortable fit on the shoulder. Very easy to adjust. Buoyancy very well positioned. Closes well, the Crewfit 180N Pro * achieved four out of five points.
Spinlock Deckvest 5D
Very comfortable to wear. Very good and easily adjustable buoyancy. Sits a bit high, but can be corrected, then good position. Very good spray cap. Five year guarantee. Three basic sizes. Best belt system. Difficult, which is why the Spinlock Deckvest * achieved four out of five points.
Kadematic 150 SC
Conventional, slightly neck-heavy fit. The belt is easy to adjust. Buoyancy fits well even without a crotch strap. The mountain loop is easy to reach. Three out of five points for the Kadematic 150 SC.
Baltic Legend 190
Sits far on the shoulders, the basic setting should be found before donning. Loose can be stowed. Buoyancy sits a little high, presses against the cheek, but can be corrected. Swimming position good, three out of five points for the Baltic Legend 190.
Helly Hansen Safe Racing
The Helly Hansen vest fits very comfortably. The belt is very easy to adjust. Buoyancy opens poorly because the cover gets stuck on the trigger. The bladder sits well after it is released by hand. Spray cap also fits well. The rescue loop is easy to grip. Difficult, three out of five.
Plastimo SL 180 Lifejacket with Harness
The vest sits very comfortably, the chest strap can be adjusted very well. Buoyancy sits very comfortably. The optional spray cap costs only 26 euros, is easy to assemble and closes the wave channel, which is otherwise very pronounced. The Plastimo SL 180 * achieved three out of five points.
spinnaker
Sits like a regatta vest and has to be pulled over the head. The belt is easy to adjust, the buoyancy opens clearly, but hardly presses. Three out of five.
Sostechnic Sport ADV
Comfortably compact, the Sostechnic vest sits well on the shoulders. The belt can be easily adjusted. Buoyancy is a bit twisted, so the chin cushion cannot optimally fulfill its function. Spraycap is very simple, but it does the job. Four out of five.
Sostechnic Sport 220
Sits well on the shoulders. Belt can be adjusted relatively easily for a single system. Buoyancy fits well, but needs to be corrected slightly. Salvage loop is floating in the water, but is somewhat hidden by the bladder. Four out of five points for the Sostechnic vest.
Secumar Survival 220
The test winner. Sits well on the shoulders. The belt can be easily adjusted. Loose end can be tucked away. Long buoyancy with a very good swimming position and comfortable position, very good spray cap. Heaviest vest with a very solid belt buckle. Four out of five points for the Secumar Survival 220 *.
You can read the entire test report with all the details in the paid PDF download.
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