Automatic Life Jackets

How do automatic life jackets work?

How are automatic life jackets correctly worn?

Life jackets only protect their wearer if they are worn correctly and adjusted to the wearer's body. We explain in 7 short steps what is important: 

1. Preparation
Check the condition of the jacket. In addition to the external appearance, the gas cartridge must be functional. This should be serviced at regular intervals so that the lifejacket inflates automatically in an emergency. 

2. Check fasteners
Secure all buckles and zips on the automatic lifejacket. This also includes the crotch strap, which is supplied with many jackets and prevents them from slipping over the head. 

3. Automatic mechanism
Automatic life jackets inflate on contact with water thanks to a self-inflating trigger system. The mechanism is triggered by a gas cartridge. 

4. Manual inflation
If necessary, use the manual device to inflate the life jacket fully. 

5. Adjust
Make sure that the fully automatic life jacket fits snugly but is not too tight to allow freedom of movement. Especially with life jackets for children and babies, it is important that they are adapted to the height and weight of the wearer to ensure sufficient buoyancy.

6. Assume swimming position
If you want to swim with your jacket, you must turn onto your back.

7. Remain calm
Try to save energy and stay calm in the water until help arrives. Avoid panicking and splashing, allow the jacket to do its thing and keep you afloat.

Are you still looking for the ideal lifejacket that offers you good wearing comfort and maximum safety? Then take a look at our SVB guide ‘How to find the perfect life jacket’ and find out what's important!

Why should I buy an automatic lifejacket?

Compared to manual life jackets and foam life jackets, automatic life jackets offer decisive advantages.

They lead the way in terms of safety

Because they trigger automatically, there's no chance the MOB could forget to pull the trigger in an emergency. This happens on contact with water, regardless of whether the MOB is conscious or not. This makes automatic life jackets unbeatable when it comes to reliability.

Maximum wearing comfort 

With an automatic life jacket, you'll be sailing the seas in the safest way possible! As automatic life jackets are very light and comfortable to wear, freedom of movement is impressively good. You can wear one of these life jackets even over heavy sailing clothing without issue. Automatically inflatable lifejackets are also ideal for other water sports activities such as motor boating or fishing. 

In our lifejacket test, we have compared the best models currently on the market to make it easier for you to decide what to buy. Why not take a look right now!

How does the system behind the automatic lifejacket work? 

There are two different types of trigger mechanisms to ensure that the automatic life jacket works in an emergency.

Water contact release system (UML)

A tablet made of cellulose or salt reacts to contact with water and triggers a mechanism in the automatic lifejacket. This punctures a gas cartridge that allows the gas to flow into the buoyancy chamber of the lifejacket and automatically inflates the lifejacket in seconds.

Hydrostatic trigger system

With the hydrostatic principle, the lifejacket is self-inflating as soon as the wearer comes under water.

When does the automatic system in a life jacket need to be replaced?

Once your fully automatic life jacket has been activated, the CO2 cartridge and release mechanism must be replaced. Some automatic life jackets have an inspection window in the outer shell through which the condition of the CO2 cartridge can be read from the "traffic light colours" (red / green). If the colour red is shown, the CO2 cartridge is unusable and must be replaced to ensure the life jacket's reliable operation in an emergency.

How are automatic life jackets serviced?

a) Visual check
Check your automatic life jacket regularly for external damage such as tears or wear. You should also check the condition of the reflective parts to make sure they are still intact. 

b) Gas cartridge maintenance
Make sure that the automatic life jacket is serviced regularly. The prescribed maintenance interval for life jackets is 2 years. You can use our SVB service life jacket maintenance for this. We will ensure that the CO2 cartridge is in perfect condition so that the life jacket remains self-inflating. This requires the gas pressure to be at the recommended level. 

If you have had your life jacket serviced and your gas cartridge needs replacing, you can find a new cartridge for your automatic life jacket in our SVB online shop under spare parts for life jackets. Please ensure that you only purchase the replacement cartridge recommended by the manufacturer for your lifejacket.

c) Fastening mechanism

Check all buckles and zips to ensure that the lifejacket will keep the wearer safely afloat in an emergency. 

d) Careful cleaning
If your self-inflating lifejacket needs to be cleaned, this should be done in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Do not use any aggressive chemicals that could damage the material.

e) Keep in a dry place

After using your automatic lifejacket, the self-inflating lifejacket should be allowed to dry completely to prevent mould from forming. The self-inflating lifejacket should then be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Everything you need to know about life jackets

Are you still looking for the right life jackets for your crew? Then we recommend not only our SVB guide ‘How to find the perfect life jacket’, but also our comprehensive life jacket test. There we compare some of the top sellers from our online shop for you. You can also find other life jackets from manual life jackets, foam life jackets to life jackets for children & babies in our range. Specially selected brand names such as SEATEC, SPINLOCK, SECUMAR, KADEMATIC, MARINEPOOL and SEAGO, ensure high-quality products when it comes to safety.

Do you already own an automatic life jacket and would like to put it through its paces soon so that it is ready for use on your next trip? Then take advantage of our SVB lifejacket servicing or take a look in our shop for the necessary spare parts for lifejackets.