Jetski Life Vest

L50, L50S and choosing the right rating

An approved life vest is a legal requirement when you’re on a jet ski in Australia — not negotiable, and fines apply. The right vest is also the one that stays put when you hit the water at speed, lets you move freely on the bars, and is rated for where you actually ride. Fit is the most important thing. A vest should feel very snug when dry — it stretches about 2 to 3 inches when wet, so what feels too tight in the carpark fits right in the water. A loose vest rides up over your face on a hard fall and can come off entirely. Do up both the zip and the side belt or buckles every time, not just one. L50 and L50S — the actual difference. Both carry the same buoyancy, 50 newtons. What differs is the water they’re approved for and the colour, not how much they float. L50 is approved for smooth, partially smooth and open water on a PWC, and has to be a safety colour — red, yellow or orange. L50S is approved for smooth water only and can be any colour. Neither floats you better than the other; pick by where you ride and check your local water classification. Why L50 is the more common jet ski pick. PWC riders cross water classifications regularly — a calm river session can flow into partially smooth or open water depending on where you launch and how far you go. An L50 covers all of those legally. If you only ever ride on dams and smooth lakes, an L50S works. Jet ski features that matter. Look for grab handles on the back (great for pillion passengers and kids), kill-switch lanyard rings, lower back support for hours on the bars, hydration pouches, side-entry zips for getting in and out fast, and impact panels in the chest and back for harder riding. The Jetpilot RX and Vault ranges build most of these in. Mens, womens and kids. Womens cuts are shaped for a different torso; mens run straighter; kids and youth vests are sized down. Size to the chart, not your shirt size — chest measurement is what matters. Manual-inflate vests like the L150 in this range are for general boating use — not towed sports or jet ski impact. They’re here for boaters who need a higher-rated vest, not as a substitute for a foam L50. Brands. Jetpilot runs the deepest range across the Venture, Vault and Cause lines. Follow brings the Atlantis womens and Corp mens range. Wing covers the Divine womens range. Care. Hand wash with mild detergent to clear salt, sunscreen and grime, never machine wash, store out of direct sun, and don’t use the vest as a cushion or fender.