Do flotation devices (like PFD) protect against drowning?

Life jackets

Life jacket

Life jackets are Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) designed to turn an unconscious person over and keep their head above water. They are the safest devices, governed by the ISO 12402 standard, and are classified according to their floatability (in Newton):

• 50N (ISO 12402-5): for use in calm, shallow waters close to the coast. Not guaranteed to turn an unconscious person over in all situations.
• 100N (ISO 12402-4): for coastal waters and near-shore activities. Offers better floatability and turnaround than a 50N.
• 150N (ISO 12402-3): for high seas and rough conditions. Designed for rougher conditions and emergency situations at sea.
• 275N (ISO 12402-2): for extreme conditions and professional situations (e.g. offshore platforms).

Lifejackets can have built-in floats (e.g. foam) or be inflatable (with trigger and compressed gas cartridge).

Buoyancy aids

Buoyancy aid

Buoyancy aids provide flotation assistance but do not guarantee that an unconscious person will roll over on the back. They are more comfortable and allow greater freedom of movement than lifejackets. They are suitable for nautical activities at river or sea where the risk of falling into the water is low and you know how to swim. Examples: kayak, paddle and water skiing jackets.

Anti-drowning bracelets

Anti-drowning bracelet (deployed)

These devices, often worn on the wrist, inflate automatically on contact with water or manually by pulling a tab. They can help a person to the surface, but their effectiveness depends on a number of factors (the user's weight, position in the water, etc.). They are not considered to be a PFD in their own right and do not replace a lifejacket. Their reliability and effectiveness are sometimes open to debate.

Inflatable devices

This category includes various inflatable objects such as buoys, armbands, air mattresses and so on. They are generally considered to be toys rather than safety devices. They can deflate, turn over and do not always keep your head above water. They should never be used without constant adult supervision.

Armbands

Armbands

Armbands are worn on the arms to help the user float. They are commonly worn by children who are not yet independent in the water. They are an aid to buoyancy for learning to swim, governed by european standard EN 13138-1. As such, they should only be used in the presence of an adult within arm's reach, and do not in themselves provide sufficient protection against drowning. The armbands do not allow the user to turn onto their back, and can even create an imbalance if one of the armbands slips off the arm.

Buoys

Buoy

Buoys, like armbands, are equipment to help you float, governed by european standard EN 13138-1, with an adult within arm's reach. On their own, they do not provide sufficient protection against drowning, nor do they turn the user onto his or her back. Worse still, if a child falls headfirst into the water, a buoy may even hinder their ascent to the surface.

Air mattresses

Air mattress

Designed for lying on the water, air mattresses allow you to relax but do not protect you from drowning. They are not considered to be personal flotation devices, nor do they provide rollover protection. They are normally covered by the ISO 25649 standard.

Floating swimwear

Floating swimwear

These swimwear suits are designed with built-in floats, usually in the chest or back area. They provide extra floatability by helping to keep the head and shoulders out of the water. Floating swimwear can be used for young children learning to swim.

Like armbands and buoys, these are items of equipment designed to help people learn to swim, with an adult within arm's reach. On their own, they do not provide sufficient protection against drowning, nor do they ensure rollover. The reference european standard is EN 13138-1, as for armbands and buoys; different from ISO 12402 for lifejackets.

Anti-drowning T-shirt

Anti-drowning T-shirt

The anti-drowning T-shirt is worn by the child, is comfortable and does not hinder movement, and invisibly incorporates an inflatable lifejacket. The safety device is triggered automatically in the event of a fall into the water (unintentional or unauthorised, as the child is often unaware of the danger). In less than 3 seconds, the lifejacket inflates and brings the child back to the surface of the water, turning the child onto its back to keep the airways out of the water. This works even if the child is unconscious, whether it can swim or not.

It is patented and certified according to a protocol based on the NF EN ISO 12402 standard for lifejackets, making it category III (the highest) personal protective equipment.

This T-shirt stands out for its ability to act immediately and independently of adults, offering accessible and innovative additional protection for children not fully autonomous in the water.

Size and fit

• Appropriate size: The size of the device must be adapted to the user's weight and morphology. A device that is too large is likely to ride up and not hold the head out of the water properly. A device that is too small will be uncomfortable and limit floatability. Manufacturers generally provide size charts based on weight and/or chest size.
• Precise fit: A good fit is crucial to the effectiveness of the device. It must be tight enough to stay in place in the event of a fall into the water, but not too tight so as not to impede movement and breathing. The adjustment straps must be precise and easy to adjust. It is important to check the fit in the water, if possible, to ensure that the device does not ride up and keeps the head above water.

Harnesses and subcutaneous straps

• Harness: The harness is the set of straps that hold the device in place on the body. It must be strong, resistant and adjustable to suit different body shapes. A well-designed harness distributes the body's weight evenly and prevents the device from riding up.
• Subcutaneous straps: These straps pass between the legs and prevent the device from rising and sliding off the body in the event of a fall into the water. They are particularly important in the case of thin people with high buoyancy flotation devices. They should be adjusted so that they are comfortable but tight enough to be effective.

Other important components

• Adequate floatability: (already mentioned previously, but important to remember) Expressed in Newtons (N), it must be sufficient to keep the user on the surface, even if unconscious.
• Keeping the head above the water for lifejackets: This is the primary function of a lifejacket. The design of the collar and the distribution of floatability must ensure that an unconscious person can be turned onto their back and their airways kept out of the water.
• Bright colour: A bright colour (orange, fluorescent yellow) improves the visibility of the person in the water and facilitates rescue operations.
• Reflective strips: These increase visibility at night or in low light conditions.
• Whistle: Used to signal its presence if needed.
• Durable and resistant materials: The materials used must be resistant to water, ultraviolet rays (UV) and abrasion to guarantee the durability of the device.
• CE marking: The CE marking certifies that the device complies with European safety standards. There is also the equivalent UKCA marking for the United Kingdom.

Puddle Jumpers and their limitations

Puddle Jumper

Puddle jumpers, often referred to as floating swimming costumes, are popular with young children and parents because of their comfort and ease of use. However, they do have certain limitations:

• Limited floatability: puddle jumpers can help keep the head and shoulders out of the water thanks to increased floatability, but they do not guarantee complete body flotation. In the event of sudden movement or fatigue, the child may end up partially submerged.
• Bad conditions for learning to swim: built-in floats can restrict a child's freedom of movement, particularly in the arms and legs, which can slow down learning to swim. Worse still, the extra floatability provided by a puddle jumper can fool children when they go into the water without equipment, as the child has then not learnt the necessary level of effort to stay at the surface independently.
• False sense of security: parents may be tempted to leave their child unsupervised when wearing a puddle jumper, which is extremely dangerous. It is essential to remember that even with a puddle jumper, constant supervision is essential.
• Not suitable for all environments: puddle jumpers are primarily designed for use in swimming pools, in calm, shallow water. They are not suitable for water activities in natural environments (lake, sea).

Incorrect usage practices

In addition to the specific limitations of each type of device, certain incorrect usage practices can increase the risk of drowning:

• Choosing a device that is too big or too small: an ill-fitting device will not be effective and may even be dangerous.
• Not regularly checking the condition of the device: seams, fastenings and floats should be inspected regularly to ensure they are in good condition.
• Using a damaged device: a damaged device can no longer ensure the user's safety.
• Sleeping with a flotation device: sleep can lead to loss of alertness and increase the risk of drowning.
• Leaving a child unsupervised, even with a flotation device: Constant supervision is the best protection against drowning. All the more so if the child is used to systematically wearing a floatation device such as an armband, buoy or floating swimwear in the water: he or she is therefore not used to the effort required to stay afloat without this additional flotation support.

Safety standards for equipment

Flotation devices, like other water safety equipment, must meet precise standards to ensure their effectiveness. These standards specify the materials, construction, floatability and performance required.

• CE marking: All safety equipment sold in the European Union must be marked with the CE symbol, attesting to its compliance with European standards in force. There is the equivalent for the United Kingdom with the UKCA marking.
• EN ISO 12402: This European standard applies specifically to personal flotation devices (PFDs) such as lifejackets. It defines the requirements in terms of floatability, turning, comfort and safety. Any equipment not covered by this standard should not be considered as having the ability to save life (e.g. equipment to aid learning to swim, such as armbands).

More information on standards (depending on the floatability of the lifejacket): ISO 12402-5 (50N), ISO 12402-4 (100N), ISO 12402-3 (150N) et ISO 12402-2 (275N).

Legal obligations for boat owners

Owners of pleasure boats are obliged to comply with certain rules and to have the appropriate safety equipment for the area in which they are navigating. These obligations may vary depending on the country, the size of the boat, the navigation area and the activity practised.

For children

Children must be supervised, even if they are wearing a flotation device.

• Permanent and constant supervision: an adult must always keep an eye on children when they are in the water, whatever their age or swimming ability, and within arm's reach.
• Learn to swim: encourage your children to learn to swim from an early age, and without buoyancy aids to put them in real-life conditions.
• Choose a suitable swimming area: choose shallow, supervised swimming areas.
• Avoid non-adapted devices: when worn, flotation devices must be adapted to the child's height and weight.
• Educate children about the dangers of water: explain the dangers of water and the safety rules to be observed.
• Do not leave children alone near water: even for a short time.

For adults

Adults also need to be vigilant for themselves.

• Don't overestimate your abilities: correctly assess your swimming skills and don't push yourself beyond your limits.
• Avoid swimming alone: always swim accompanied.
• Consume alcohol with moderation: alcohol impairs reflexes and judgement, increasing the risk of drowning.
• Respect the swimming flags: the flags indicate swimming conditions and dangerous areas.
• Be vigilant in case of fatigue or cramp: get out of the water immediately if you feel tired or have a cramp.
• Practise water sports activities suited to your level: choose activities that match your skills and experience.