Staying safe

Lifejackets are essential

Lifejackets save lives. The clue is in the name! Personal floatation devices are one of the simplest and most effective ways to increase your chance of survival when things go wrong in the water.
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Most water incidents occur suddenly with no warning. Water Safety New Zealand recommends wearing a lifejacket at all times. Simply having a lifejacket with you is not enough. By the time you know you need one, it's probably too late to put it on and it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to put on a lifejacket once you are in the water. It's simple. Always wear a life jacket on every type of craft – jet ski, dinghy, boat, power boat, kayaking, rafting or standup paddleboard. Whatever your waka, you never know when the unexpected will happen.

‍Tragically, 90% of craft-related drowning deaths in 2024 involved individuals not wearing lifejackets.

Advocating for a single, consistent, national rule

Boaties attitudes and behaviours - use of lifejackets

“Attitudes and Behaviours” survey and the “Use of lifejackets” survey from a 2021 baseline.

New Zealand's regulations for lifejackets vary between regions and for different types of crafts. This regional "patchwork" of rules creates public confusion and puts lives at risk.

Efforts from the water safety community, for decades, has advocated for a single, consistent national rule to eliminate this confusion. Encouraging all Kiwis to make the conscious choice to wear a lifejacket when they are on the water will save lives.

Our data tells us up to 20 lives could be saved every year if New Zealand had clear and consistent lifejacket regulations.

Water Safety New Zealand strongly recommends ALWAYS wearing a lifejacket when rock fishing or gathering kai in tidal environments.

Skipper’s responsibility

The skipper is legally responsible for making sure correctly fitting lifejackets are available for each person on board a vessel and must be worn in situations of heightened risk, such as when crossing a bar, in rough water, in an emergency and by anyone who can’t swim.

At present, lifejacket bylaws vary from region to region, with many only stipulating that lifejackets are to be available for each person onboard and worn when instructed by the skipper or during times of heightened risk.

In many places around New Zealand, regional bylaws require you to wear a lifejacket when you're on boats 6 metres and under in length.

All recreational boats must carry enough lifejackets for everyone on board and of the right size and are easily accessible and must be worn at heightened risk.

Family standing by boat all wearing lifejackets

Choosing the right lifejacket

Lifejackets save lives.

“It's all about the fit”, choose a lifejacket for your weight range and make sure the size and cut of the lifejacket is suitable.

The zip must be able to be closed, with slight tension and buckles tightened so they are under tension It should fit snugly without being confining or riding up on your body.

The neck section or collar should not sit up around your head.

A crotch strap will prevent the lifejacket from riding up around your neck or your child’s neck. It will prevent children falling out of the bottom of the lifejacket. Wearing a crotch strap means you exert less energy in the water trying to keep it on.

When you go unconscious in a poorly fitting lifejacket, your arms will relax and could slip off over your head.

All lifejackets must meet specific Australia / New Zealand Standards or equivalent international standard.

Right lifejacket for the right activity

Foam lifejackets, which float on their own, and inflatable lifejackets will sink if not worn, making them hard to find in an emergency. These require inflation, either manual activation, auto-activation and or oral inflation. Choosing the right lifejacket depends on who will be wearing it and the type of boating you’re doing.

Inflatable lifejacket - auto or manual - open water (type 401 inflatable)

Perfect for offshore boating, charter fishing and rougher waters

Where to use: Perfect for open ocean, rough weather and when you’re far from shore. It’s a life-saving system that works even when you can’t.

Simple rule of thumb: If your activity means you are likely to get wet, an inflated lifejacket is difficult to swim with back to your vessel and difficult to climb back aboard. Inflatable lifejackets are NOT recommended for jetskis, kayaks, dragonboats and dinghys.

Stand-up paddle boards can use an inflatable belt life jacket.

How it works: 401 inflatables can be either water-activated and automatically inflate in seconds and they also have a manual cord just in case.

There are manual inflatable lifejackets that must be manually operated requiring the person to be conscious to pull a manual pull cord.

Buoyancy: Must have 150 Newtons, which is like 15kg of extra buoyancy keeping you afloat, must have a crotch strap as with the extra buoyancy, you will struggle in the water and exert excessive energy.

The reality check: Both auto and manual inflatable life jackets have a manual pull cord and an oral inflation tube. Get to know the life jacket you are using. Yank the cord and inflate when you need it.

You don’t know 100% it will work until its inflated, check it regularly

Comfort level: Lightweight and low profile when not inflated. Wear for hours without feeling weighed down or restricted. People find they are so comfortable they forget to take them off.

Everyone looks slim and they are great for selfies
One size fits all
Not suitable for children under 15 years and must also be competent in the water

Collared lifejacket - inshore waters (type 402)

Perfect for boating and inshore waters

Where to use: Calm harbours, lakes, and protected coastal areas - steer clear of offshore ocean waters.

How it works: Foam-filled to keep you afloat
‍Buoyancy: 71+ Newtons of buoyancy
The reality check: Has a collar for flotation, but won't automatically flip you face-up if you're unconscious. However, there is more buoyancy in the front of the lifejacket, so you should support you floating face up
Comfort level: Ideal for all-day fishing trips‍
Warm
No maintenance
If worn you will immediately know it will keep you afloat straight away
Also better for those not confident in the water, as there’s nothing for the wearer to do to activate it.

Buoyancy vest - personal floatation vest (type 403)

For experienced water users, staying near the shore

Where to use: Water skiing, Sea biscuiting, Wake boarding, rowing, stand-up paddle-boarding, kayaking, sailing, waka ama, dragon boating.

How it works:

Maximum arm and shoulder movement
Lightweight and less bulky
Better for athletic performance

The reality check:

No collar means greater movement, less restrictive
Great for impact sports, jetskis or water skiing as less likely to have a neck injury
No head support in the water
Lower buoyancy = less floating power
Reduced safety in emergencies
Easy to maintain body position in the water, great for water skiing however won't flip you face-up if unconscious

Fine for skilled swimmers in calm conditions, but not ideal for emergencies. It has 53 newtons of buoyancy – which is less than a standard 402 life jacket.

Lifejackets for children: snug as a bug

For younger kids or novice boaters, foam lifejackets are recommended, as they provide sufficient buoyancy and are easier to manage than inflatable ones, which are better suited to those older than 15 and are more comfortable in the water.
A good rule is to ensure no more than two finger-widths between the shoulders and the jacket. Lift your child by the lifejacket – if they slip out, it’s too big.
Ensure children’s lifejackets fit snugly and come with crotch straps to prevent riding up in the water.
Don’t be tempted to buy one for them to “grow into.” A poorly fitted lifejacket can easily slip over their head in an emergency.
Make sure your child is within the weight range stated on the lifejacket.
Watch as they grow and test the jackets with the child in them in confined and in controlled situation.
Watch out for the differences in fresh water.

Look after your lifejacket

Clean: Wash your lifejacket with fresh water after use, especially after being in or near saltwater. Be careful with automatic inflatables

Storage: Must be hung to allow to dry, preferably on the boat for next time, store lifejackets in a cool, dry place out of sunlight to prevent damage. Check for any damage before you put it away. Don’t store folded or compressed under a heavy object.

Test regularly: Test your lifejacket in the water to ensure it provides adequate flotation and support.

Inflatable lifejackets should ideally be individually owned so that the end user knows where it’s been, adjusted correctly and understands how to use it.

Everyone should practice putting on and taking a lifejacket off in the water.

Inflatable lifejackets sink if not worn.