The RYA has revised its guidance on wearing lifejackets and buoyancy aids to make things clearer for beginners and less experienced water users.
For many, making the decision about wearing personal buoyancy is based upon factors such as weather conditions and the experience of the crew, says the RYA. However, for beginners and those relatively inexperienced, such judgements are often not that easy.
Therefore the new recommendation from the RYA is that you 'wear a lifejacket or buoyancy aid unless you are sure you don't need to'.
RYA training manager James Stevens says: “We are fully aware that a lifejacket could save someone's life, but we don't expect people to wear lifejackets when they feel it's not necessary. Such occasions could be when safely moored, below decks or sailing in fine weather when the risk of entering the water is low. Also if the skipper has decided that lifejackets are unnecessary. However if you are at all unsure, the best advice is to wear one.”
The wearing of a life-jacket has become much more the norm than the exception these days, he added. Nearly all dinghy sailors wear a buoyancy aid, all professional power boaters wear a lifejacket and most amateurs, along with users of personal watercraft wear specially designed buoyancy aids.
“The RYA's new policy reflects good practice for professional and amateur boat users”, concluded James.
