Main risks

• Drowning due to incorrect size, poor fit, or unfastened buckles/zips.
• Insufficient buoyancy if the model is not suitable for the wearer’s weight, clothing or carried equipment.
• Failure to inflate, or unexpected inflation, in inflatable models due to empty cylinders, incorrect assembly, or worn or faulty mechanisms.
• Loss of effectiveness due to tears, cuts, worn seams, damaged foam, or straps and buckles in poor condition.
• Risk of snagging on lines, rings or gunwales that may hinder exiting the water or manoeuvring.
• Impacts from falling into the water at speed, and fatigue due to waves or currents.
• Hypothermia: a lifejacket helps you float but does not prevent heat loss.
• Difficulty being seen in low visibility if appropriate signalling devices are not used.
• False sense of security that may lead to taking unnecessary risks.

Safe use

• Choose a lifejacket suitable for your weight, environment and activity. Test the fit and freedom of movement before using it in the water.
• Put it on and adjust it before boarding or approaching the water. It should fit snugly and not ride up above the chin or ears when you pull up on the shoulders.
• Fasten all zips, buckles and, if the model includes them, use the crotch straps to prevent the lifejacket from riding up.
• Check the condition of straps, buckles, seams and padding before each use. Do not use the lifejacket if you notice damage, abnormal stiffness or loss of volume.
• If inflatable, check the activation mechanism and the CO₂ cylinder according to the manufacturer’s instructions, and ensure you know how to inflate it manually if needed.
• Practise in a safe area how to float on your back and how to assist others without putting your own safety at risk.
• Avoid wearing pendants, loose karabiners or accessories that could snag.
• In low light or rough seas, use compatible signalling devices (e.g. a whistle or light) where the lifejacket includes them or they can be added.
• Stay hydrated and watch for signs of cold or exhaustion, even when wearing the lifejacket.

Storage and maintenance

• Rinse with fresh water after each use in the sea or pool to remove salt and chlorine. Do not use solvents or harsh detergents.
• Dry in the shade in a well-ventilated place before storage. Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, heat sources and tumble dryers.
• Store hanging or lying flat, with nothing placed on top, and away from sharp objects or sharp edges.
• Periodically inspect straps, buckles, seams and buoyancy material; take it out of service if you detect cracks, tears, hardening or deformation.
• On inflatable models, perform leak checks and activation-system checks at reasonable intervals, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
• Replace consumable or damaged components only with compatible spares and when indicated by the manufacturer.
• Following a significant fall into the water or strenuous use, inspect the lifejacket thoroughly before using it again.

Restrictions on use

• It is not a toy or a floating mattress. Do not leave children unsupervised even if they are wearing a lifejacket.
• Do not use the lifejacket below or above the recommended weight range, or with a loose fit.
• Do not use it for scuba diving, freediving or underwater activities. It is not designed for prolonged immersion.
• For jet skis/personal watercraft, water-skiing or high-speed boating, use only models specifically intended for that purpose.
• Do not modify the lifejacket, or pierce, glue or cut elements that could affect its buoyancy or fit.
• Do not cover it with garments or equipment that could impede its operation or inflation in inflatable models.
• Do not use the lifejacket if it shows visible damage, has lost buoyancy, or if the inflatable system shows signs of deterioration.