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Canadian-approved lifejackets are red, orange, or yellow. These colours make you more visible when in the water. The three approved lifejacket types below are inherently buoyant. This means that the lifejacket will keep you afloat when you are wearing it in the water.

SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) Lifejacket

SOLAS lifejacket

This type of lifejacket will provide the most buoyancy, is excellent for flotation, and will turn most unconscious persons face up in the water within seconds. This keyhole-style flotation device comes in two sizes:

  • Over 32 kg (70 lbs)
  • Less than 32 kg (70 lbs)

Standard Type Lifejacket

Standard Type lifejacket

This type of lifejacket will turn most unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a SOLAS lifejacket. This keyhole-style flotation device comes in two sizes:

  • Over 40 kg (88 lbs)
  • Less than 40 kg (88 lbs)

Small Vessel Lifejacket

Small vessel lifejacket

This type of lifejacket will turn most unconscious wearers face up in the water, but the turning is not as pronounced as with a SOLAS or standard type lifejacket. This keyhole-style or vest-type flotation device comes in three sizes:

  • Over 41 kg (90 lbs)
  • 18 kg (40 lbs) to 41 kg (90 lbs)
  • Less than 18 kg (40 lbs)
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