Flotation coveralls do not provide as much protection against drowning as people might expect. They do not necessarily keep a person afloat as effectively as a lifejacket. Consumers may have a false picture of the safety of flotation coveralls.
In 2004 two men drowned off the coast of Kotka, Finland. According to the Accident Investigation Board's report they were wearing flotation coveralls. These had been put on correctly and the zips were closed. Tests conducted by the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health revealed serious safety gaps in the coveralls.
Flotation coveralls are designed to keep out wind and moisture and are popular particularly among fishermen and boaters. The evenly distributed flotation material in coveralls affects the floating posture, and in heavy seas it may be difficult to keep the nose and mouth above the water. Upon immersion flotation coveralls and their pockets fill with water and coveralls become heavy. This makes it harder to climb into a boat or onto a slippery rock, for example. The risk of drowning is increased by the fact that wet and heavy coveralls restrict the movement of hands and legs and makes it harder to swim.
Safety requirements for flotation suits are prescribed in a European standard. Although the standard mainly applies to lifejackets, flotation coveralls are also made according to its requirements. On the basis of a recommendation by the Accident Investigation Board and an initiative by product safety authorities, the standard was changed in December 2006 so that it no longer applies to flotation coveralls.
Manufacturers, importers and sellers are responsible for seeing that flotation coveralls meet the safety requirements that have been set for protective equipment. The Finnish Consumer Agency will test flotation coveralls on the market this spring and intervene if necessary.
Consumers using flotation coveralls should remember that they do not provide the same protection as a lifejacket. Flotation suits are not suitable for use far from shore, in waves or in even moderately heavy seas. A lifejacket must be worn in these conditions. Since flotation coveralls become filled with cold water upon immersion, they do not protect against hypothermia either. Wearing a lifejacket on top of flotation coveralls significantly increases safety. A good option is to wear warm winter clothing together with a lifejacket or flotation vest.
The Accident Investigation Board's report B 4/2004 M (in Finnish)