PFD buoyancy test​​​​​​​

It's important to check the buoyance of your PFD every season. Exposure to the sun, salt, water, and just age can degrade the foam and render it unsafe. Your PFD should provide at least 50N of buoyancy. 

This video shows an easy way to make sure your PFD is up to scratch and will keep you safe in the river.

1. Gather your equipment:

  • Your PFD
  • Hanging luggage scale 
  • A short rope
  • ~10kg weight

2. Weigh the bare weight

  • Attach the weight to the hanging scale using the rope

  • Submerge it completely underwater

  • Record this baseline weight in kilograms

3. Weigh with the PFD

  • Attach the same weight to your PFD (using the rope around both)

  • Submerge both underwater, expelling any trapped air bubbles

  • Record this combined weight

4. Calculate your PFD’s buoyancy

  1. Subtract the combined weight (weight + PFD) from the bare weight

  2. The difference is the upward force (in kg) provided by your PFD

  3. Convert to Newtons: multiply by 9.8 (i.e., kg × 9.8 = Newtons)

5. Compare with standards

  • An adult PFD should provide at least 50 N of buoyancy

  • If your measurement is below that, the PFD may not meet safety standards​​​​​​​