Vasai, Maharashtra
No one life jacket suits everyone: the right one depends on the wearer, the water and the rules. Five questions get you there, each with a post that goes further.
1. Who will wear it?
Weight decides size. Check the label’s user-weight range against the heaviest person who will wear the jacket, and order children’s sizes separately. See life jacket sizes by weight and life jackets for children.
2. On what water, and how far from help?
The further from help and the rougher the water, the more buoyancy is needed, and the more it matters that the jacket turns a wearer face-up. EN ISO 12402 sorts jackets into 50 N buoyancy aids for swimmers near help, 100 N for sheltered water, 150 N for general offshore use and 275 N for extreme conditions. See PFD types explained.
3. Under which rules?
A ship under SOLAS needs jackets type-approved against the LSA Code; a fishing boat, ferry or event follows its own authority’s rules, often EN ISO 12402. See SOLAS life jacket requirements and SOLAS vs non-SOLAS.
4. Foam or inflatable?
Foam floats the moment it is wet and needs no servicing; an inflatable is slimmer but must be serviced and is not for children or non-swimmers. See inflatable or foam.
5. What extras?
- A light, for anyone who may be in the water after dark: see life jacket lights.
- A whistle, on every jacket.
- A headrest, for extra face-up support: MM lists the Sea Master, STERN and SUMO with one.
- A leg or crotch strap, so the jacket cannot ride up.
- Reflective tape: see why life jackets are orange.
MM’s range at a glance
| Model | Buoyancy | PFD type | User weight | Size | Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saviour | 275 N | – | – | Adult | SOLAS LSA Code, BS EN ISO 12402:2020 |
| MMLJ | 240 N | I | Up to 140 kg | Adult | IRS Type Approval, SOLAS LSA Code |
| MMLJC | 90 N | I | Up to 43 kg | Child | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type I, CE |
| SAILOR | 120 N | III | Up to 100 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| SEA HORSE | 70 N | III | Up to 70 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| SIGMA | 150 N | III | Up to 140 kg | Adult Universal | IRS Type Approval, SOLAS LSA Code, BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| SOLDIER | Adjustable, 70–160 N | III | 60–130 kg (unequipped to heavily equipped) | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| STELLAR | 120 N | III | Up to 95 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| STERN | 120 N | III | Up to 120 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| STERN WITH HEADREST | 120 N | III | Up to 120 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| SUMO | 150 N | III | Up to 140 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| SUMO WITH HEADREST | 150 N | III | Up to 140 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, CE |
| MMWVCG | 78 N | V | Up to 56 kg | Adult Universal | SOLAS LSA Code, CE, PFD Type V |
| MMWV | 100 N | III | Up to 90 kg | Adult Universal | BS EN ISO 12402:2020, PFD Type III, SOLAS LSA Code, CE |
For an order of any size, the bulk buying checklist turns these answers into a specification. Request a quote.