Life jackets (PFDs) are marine safety devices designed to provide flotation and keep wearers afloat in lakes, coastal, and rough waters. Approved by the US Coast Guard and Transport Canada, they are used on boats, kayaks, personal watercraft, and during water sports. Types II, III, IV, and V serve different needs, from comfortable wear to emergency rescue and unconscious face-up flotation, for adults, youth, and infants.
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1-2 weeks delivery time The United Moulders acorn nut is used to securely attach the old generation MK5 automatic firing pin (pre-2013) to the bladder of an inflatable life vest. It fits the brass valve, ensuring proper assembly and reliable operation.
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$ 3.93
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Hammar MA1EC 33g re-arming kit is designed for 150N hydrostatic inflatable vests, offering automatic activation with a manual backup for safety. It features a clear trigger status indicator and ensures reliable performance when submerged, compatible with selected 4Water vest models.
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$ 97.47
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Hammar A1 33g reset kit offers a complete re-arming solution for 150N hydrostatic inflatable vests, with a Hydrostatic Hammar A1 trigger head and reliable activation only when submerged.
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$ 97.47
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Hammar A1 60g hydrostatic kit is built for 275N inflatable vests, providing maximum buoyancy and dependable automatic activation through its Hydrostatic A1 trigger head and high-capacity CO² cartridge.
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$ 62.65
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1-2 weeks delivery time Ocean Safety Worksafe Pro 150 N is a professional inflatable lifejacket with integrated harness, automatic Pro Sensor Elite activation, durable nylon construction, and 150 N buoyancy designed for demanding marine use.
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$ 176.58
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1-2 weeks delivery time Ocean Safety Worksafe Pro 150 N Auto Harness Orange is an inflatable lifejacket built from durable PVC, featuring automatic inflation, integrated safety harness, high-visibility orange color, and 150 N buoyancy for professional and recreational marine applications.
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$ 176.58
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1-2 weeks delivery time Plastimo 64282 Silicone Sleeve for CO2 Cylinder is a professional spare part intended for servicing inflatable lifejackets at Plastimo authorized service stations. Designed for use with UML Pro Sensor mechanisms, each silicone sleeve fits around the thread of a 38 g CO2 cylinder to ensure correct sealing and reliable operation.
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$ 100.01
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo P200376 Life Jacket Neo 165 Auto Red with CS is designed for safety and comfort, featuring a lightweight and compact build with a buoyancy of 165N. It has a hook & loop closure, is made from polyamide coated fabrics, and includes a high visibility buoyancy chamber along with an inflation system that utilizes a Cylinder Safe Retainer (CSR). This life jacket is available with or without a harness for added convenience.
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$ 96.30
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Neo 165 inflatable lifejacket offers 165 N buoyancy in a lightweight, compact design, featuring a high-visibility fluorescent bladder, automatic UML release mechanism, and integrated harness with crotch strap for enhanced safety, making it suitable for both leisure and professional marine use.
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$ 101.84
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1-2 weeks delivery time Plastimo P200478 Pilot Pro 180 inflatable lifejacket (automatic UML Elite) in yellow PVC, delivering 180 N buoyancy for hard-wearing recreational-to-professional use with ISO 12402-3 certification, ergonomic coated collar, 316L stainless buckle, SOLAS fluorescent bladder, snag-reduced manual inflation control, CO2 anti-unscrew trigger and cylinder locking system, double-opening zip for quick checks and servicing, fire-performance compliance, and certified compatibility with Ocean Signal beacons (MOB1/MOB2/PLB3/M100) and Lonako SL3/Daniamant W3 lights.
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$ 186.08
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Pilot Pro 180 inflatable lifejacket provides 180 N buoyancy with a durable yellow PVC cover, automatic Pro Sensor Elite release, harness, and crotch strap, designed for use over heavy clothing and certified to ISO 12402-3, offering reliable performance for recreational and professional marine activities.
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$ 210.54
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1-2 weeks delivery time Plastimo P200482 Pilot Pro 180 inflatable lifejacket (automatic UML Elite) in orange PVC, offering 180 N buoyancy with an abrasion-resistant cover for fishing and industrial use, ISO 12402-3 certification, improved righting and freeboard, ergonomic coated collar and 316L stainless buckle, SOLAS fluorescent bladder, snag-reduced manual inflation sight, CO2 anti-unscrew trigger with cylinder locking, double-opening zip for inspection/maintenance, fire-performance compliance, and certified compatibility with Ocean Signal beacons and Lonako/Daniamant lights.
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$ 186.08
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1-2 weeks delivery time Plastimo P200483 Pilot Pro 180 inflatable lifejacket (automatic UML Elite) in orange PVC with harness and crotch strap, providing 180 N buoyancy for leisure and professional workloads with ISO 12402-3 certification, durable protective cover, ergonomic coated collar, 316L stainless buckle, SOLAS fluorescent bladder, snag-reduced manual inflation control, CO2 anti-unscrew trigger with cylinder locking, double-opening zip for quick checks and servicing, fire-performance compliance, and certified compatibility with Ocean Signal beacons and Lonako/Daniamant lights.
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$ 210.54
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Pilot 180 inflatable lifejacket in navy features 180 N buoyancy, automatic Pro Sensor Elite release, and a UV-treated 300-denier polyamide cover, optimized for heavy clothing, without harness or crotch strap, delivering dependable flotation and ISO 12402-3 certification for demanding marine use.
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$ 169.84
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Pilot 180 inflatable lifejacket in navy with harness provides 180 N buoyancy, automatic Pro Sensor Elite release, harness, and crotch strap, with a UV-treated 300-denier polyamide cover, designed for use over heavy clothing and certified to ISO 12402-3 for recreational and professional marine safety.
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$ 199.66
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Neo Pro 165 inflatable lifejacket in yellow offers 165 N buoyancy, lightweight compact design, harness, and crotch strap, with a high-strength PVC-coated fabric cover and hydrostatic Hammar release system for automatic inflation when submerged, certified to CE and ISO 12402 standards.
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$ 130.39
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Neo Pro 165 inflatable lifejacket in orange provides 165 N buoyancy, lightweight and compact design, high-strength PVC-coated fabric, and hydrostatic Hammar release system, without harness or crotch strap, ensuring automatic inflation when submerged and certified to CE and ISO 12402 standards.
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$ 126.41
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Plastimo Pilot Pro 180 inflatable lifejacket is a professional-grade safety vest designed for demanding maritime use, offering 180 N buoyancy for reliable flotation even over heavy clothing. It features a fireproof black Cordura outer cover for exceptional durability, an ISO 12402-3 certified SOLAS yellow bladder for high visibility, an automatic UML Pro Sensor Elite inflation system, and integrated harness with crotch strap, making it ideal for offshore, industrial, and professional fishing environments.
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$ 210.54
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Pilot 180 Inflatable Lifejacket Manual in Navy offers 180 N buoyancy and robust protection for recreational and professional use. It features a manual inflation system, 300-denier UV-treated polyamide cover, ergonomic collar, SOLAS-certified bladder, and ISO 12402-3 certification, ensuring safety and reliability on the water.
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$ 142.62
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1-2 weeks delivery time The Pilot 180 Inflatable Lifejacket Manual in Red provides 180 N buoyancy with controlled manual inflation. Its durable 300-denier UV-treated polyamide cover, ergonomic collar, SOLAS-certified bladder, and ISO 12402-3 certification ensure effective performance, even over heavy clothing, for recreational or professional boating.
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$ 142.62
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What are life jackets and how do they function as personal flotation devices for marine safety?
A life jacket, also called a life vest or PFD, is a coast guard approved personal flotation device that provides floatation in emergency situations while swimming, during water sports, or onboard a boat. Different types of life jacket use foam or inflation to deliver required lbs of buoyancy, help turn unconscious wearers face-up, support infant life and youth life, and improve mobility for rescue. These flotation devices are designed to be worn or thrown, aiding survival, grab, and rescue in marine environments.
How do foam and inflatable life vests differ in flotation, inflation method, and mobility?
Foam life vests, commonly used as Type III or Type IV personal floatation devices, provide constant float without activation, meet USCG-approved and Transport Canada approved requirements, but can feel bulky and uncomfortable when worn for long periods or seated. Inflatable life vests, usually classified as Type V, rely on manual or automatic inflation to create floatation, offering greater mobility and comfort, while still meeting coast guard-approved standards for approved life and rescue use where flotation devices may be required.
How should PFDs be stored and handled to maintain approved life performance over time?
PFDs should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight and heat to preserve materials and buoyancy performance over time. They should not be used as seats, crushed, or left under heavy objects, as this can reduce comfort and flotation effectiveness. Regular inspection for wear, damaged rings, or fabric issues helps ensure the device remains comfortable to wear and ready if rescue may be needed.
