What is ISO 12402‑5 about?
ISO 12402‑5 is fifth in the series of documents on personal floating devices. ISO 12402‑5 specifies the safety requirements for performance level 50 buoyancy aids. ISO 12402‑5 is applicable to buoyancy aids for adults and children with a body mass greater than 25 kg only, used in sheltered waters. Buoyancy aids require active participation by the user where help and rescue are close at hand.
ISO 12402‑5 deals with personal floatation devices (PFDs) for persons engaged in activities, whether in relation to their work or their leisure, in or near water. Performance level 50 buoyancy aids are intended to be used by those who have help or a means of rescue close at hand, and who are able to swim.
Who is ISO 12402‑5 for?
ISO 12402‑5 on personal floatation devices is useful for:
- PFD manufacturers
- PFD designers
- Rescue personnel
- Swimming instructors
- Quality control personnel
Why should you use ISO 12402‑5?
PFDs provide various degrees of buoyancy in garments that are light in weight and only as bulky and restrictive as needed for their intended use. They need to be secure when worn, to provide positive support in the water and to allow users to swim or actively assist themselves or others.
ISO 12402‑5 provides you with safety requirements for buoyancy aids that are necessary to consider ensuring that it is of the right size and has enough buoyancy to support the wearer in the water and prevent the wearer from drowning in a body of water.
By using the requirements, marking provided by ISO 12402‑5 you can improve the quality of performance level 50 buoyancy aids, by increasing reliability and durability, and the in-water performance of the PFDs, hence ensuring the safety of swimmers.
What is changed since the last update?
BS EN ISO 12402‑5:2020 supersedes ISO 12402‑5:2006. BS EN ISO 12402‑5:2020 has some technical changes. These include:
- Updated terms and definitions added, level 50 was modified
- General requirements were modified, requirements for lifting loops were moved to ISO 12402‑8:2020
- Requirement for distinct types of buoyancy was modified, requirements on strength were added, requirements on performance were modified
