Sailing Life Jackets

Yes, on decathlon.com.gr you will find an excellent variety of life jackets and buoyancy vests for sailing, kayaking, SUP, and other water sports. Our collection includes classic foam vests (50 Newtons) for freedom of movement on Dinghy boats, as well as specialized automatic inflatable life jackets (150 Newtons) for the open sea (Cruising/Yachting).

Unlike regular clothing, choosing life jackets and buoyancy vests is based exclusively on the user's body weight and secondarily on chest circumference:
Weight check: Each life jacket clearly states the weight range it is designed for (e.g., 10-15 kg for infants, 30-40 kg for children, 60-80 kg for adults).
Proper fit: The vest should fit snugly but comfortably on the body. To check it, tighten all straps and ask someone to pull you upward from the shoulder straps. If the life jacket rises up and covers your chin or ears, it is too big or has not been tightened correctly. On children's models, a crotch strap is essential to prevent the child from slipping out of the life jacket in the water.

Yes, Greek legislation and Port Authority regulations explicitly state that an individual life jacket must be on board for every passenger on any type of watercraft. On small sailing boats (such as Dinghies), the use of a buoyancy vest by the crew is continuous and mandatory throughout the duration of the sail. On larger sailing vessels (cruising), certified life jackets (at least 100N or 150N) must be readily accessible for everyone, while their use becomes mandatory during night sails, bad weather, or whenever the skipper deems it necessary.

Of course. At Decathlon, we give absolute priority to the safety of young sailors. You will find specially designed children's life jackets of the 100 Newton category, suitable for infants, toddlers, and kids. These life jackets feature a large foam collar designed to automatically turn the child into a supine position (on their back), keeping their head and respiratory tract out of the water even if they are unconscious, and they come equipped with bright orange coloring, reflective strips, and a whistle.

The lifespan of a life jacket depends on its type, but inspections must be carried out annually:
Foam vests: They must be replaced if the outer fabric is torn, if the straps and buckles are damaged by the sun, or if you feel that the internal foam material has compressed and hardened, as it then loses its buoyancy.
Automatic/Inflatable life jackets: They require an annual check before the season starts. They must be unfolded, the carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder inspected for rust or weight loss, and the expiration date of the hydrostatic or water-activated firing capsule checked. If the life jacket inflates even once, the cylinder and capsule must be replaced immediately using the corresponding rearming kit.