PFDs are an essential piece of safety equipment that I'm sure everyone has worn at some point in their lifetime. They make up part of the safety requirements for regulated ships (boats and personal watercrafts) and must be included on all vessels no matter the size. When it comes to watersports the wearing of a lifejacket is a smart idea whenever you hit the water. The humble PFD makes up your first line of defence against drowning and will help keep you afloat in the event of an accident. All children 12 and under must wear a PFD whenever they are on the water.

If you're chasing a lifejacket to help on all your water-based sporting adventures, it's important to choose a PFD that's rated to suit. While lifejackets come in a variety of buoyancy levels that cover everything from smooth water, partially smooth water and even open water there really are only two you should have your sights set on:

Level 50 PFD

• Available in hi-visibility colours which make you much easier to spot in the water
• Intended for people with some swimming ability and don't plan on venturing too far from the shore or have help close at hand
• Designed to keep you supported in the water, but won't aid in turning you to a face-up position
• Most commonly used for enclosed water conditions

Level 50S PFD

• Designed with the same buoyancy rating as level 50
• With a wide selection of colours and styles to choose from
• Extremely popular for water-based activities such as wakeboarding, tubing and kayaking

QLD is currently the only state that doesn't require you to wear a lifejacket while operating a kayak. Although they may not be the greatest fashion accessory, throwing a lifejacket on before you hit the water could save your life and is always recommended. There are many PFDs specifically designed for kayaking that will not restrict movements and are lightweight and compact. You can also check out the range of inflatable PFDs that could be the kayakers best mate.