Is it allowed to take my life jacket or life jacket on the plane? Good question! We had to think about that too, to be honest. Because your own life jackets are a lot more comfortable than the standard life jackets. So, you prefer to take them on the plane on your way to that beautiful destination in Greece, where your yacht is waiting for you! But is this allowed, is the next question? Read here how to organise your sailing holiday and what documents you need to make your holiday a success!
Types of vests
First, there are two different types of vests. The standard (often orange) life jackets are only intended as a buoyancy aid to keep your head above water so that you can also swim. The life jackets in contrast are really made to rescue you if, for example, you have become unconscious by turning onto your back with your head up and keeping your mouth clear of water.
Automatic life jackets are very popular because of their compact size and comfort. Which make them ideal to take with you when travelling.
How does a life jacket work?
Life jackets or life preservers are all labelled with a so-called N number (Newton). The higher this number, the better the buoyancy. Life jackets have 50N, most life jackets have 100N, and automatic life jackets can be recognised by the 150N or 275N logo.
Automatic life jackets
Automatic life jackets use small gas cartridges (CO2 cylinders), which are emptied into the so-called ‘lungs’ of automatic life jackets. As soon as you hit the water, the vest is fully inflated. Which keeps you nice and afloat. This is why these cylinders are such an important part of automatic life jackets. The vests, simply, cannot work without cartridges.
The vast majority of gas cylinders used in automatic life jackets fit the following description:
- Weight: 20g, 33g or 60g CO2 cylinders
- Burst pressure: Minimum 560 bar
- External pressure: Tested to 250 bar
- Internal pressure: Up to 60 bar at 20 degrees Celsius (not filled beyond 75%)
Why should I bring a life jacket?
If you take your own safety on a sailing holiday seriously, then make sure you bring your own (automatic) life jacket. Especially if you rent a sailing yacht or motorboat in another country, it is smart to bring the most important (personal) safety equipment yourself. If your boat can go faster than 20 km/h, the helmsman is obliged to wear a life jacket, provided he is in a standing position at the helm. Furthermore, all persons on board must have their own life jacket.
Our tip is, put your name in this and do not share it with others so that it fits properly. If you also take your children with you, make sure you have an individual children's life jacket. Furthermore, there is even a special dog life jacket designed to protect your big (or small) friend. You don't want to be in a position where you have to use them, but if you have to use them, you want them to work!
Air safety rules
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) deals with the rules around transporting goods on aircraft. So also whether you can take your automatic life jacket with you. They say the following on their website:
Life jacket as check-in baggage is allowed
Yes, you may take your life jacket on the plane as check-in baggage. Provided that, it does not contain more than two small gas cylinders with a non-flammable gas and no more than two spare cylinders are transported per person.
Life jacket as hand luggage?
We don't like having to say no. But the chances of being allowed to take your life jacket on the plane itself are slim. Our advice is therefore: ask your airline far in advance if this is allowed. This is to avoid any disappointments when you are at the airport, when you don't want to lose your good holiday mood, right?
Still having doubts?
In general, it is no problem to take your life jacket in the hold. If you still have questions, contact your airline well before departure so that you can be 100% sure it is possible.
All Tubber yachts are equipped with sufficient life jackets, but always do the check before departure! Furthermore, you can always ask one of the Tubber experts what is present on the boat itself via [email protected] or call us on +44 (0)20 4525 9616.
Have you packed your own life jacket yet?