Stabilizing jacket

The stabilizing jacket is a mandatory part of your diving equipment. You need it to regulate your buoyancy underwater. It provides positive buoyancy at the surface and underwater it allows you to create neutral buoyancy at any depth by letting air in and out.

What to look for when buying a stabilizing jacket

There are currently several types of tridents on the market. The first vests had a horseshoe model. These vests are still used by divers and snorkelers. But because the modern jackets have the model of a jacket or coat by the divers stabilizing jacket. Each stabilizing jacket must have at least 1 pressure relief valve and at least 2 possibilities to provide air to the jacket. An important part of the jacket is the facility to blow air into the jacket through the mouth and the facility to vent the jacket manually. The stabilizing jacket is designed specifically for recreational divers and provides the majority of the buoyancy. A wide waist belt and adjustable shoulder straps hold the jacket in place. Stabilizing jackets are usually equipped with several pressure relief valves and a provision for mouth inflation. Stabilizing jackets also come standard with a low-pressure inflator that allows the jacket to be mechanically inflated with air from the compressed-air cylinder and a backpack for attaching the compressed-air cylinder.

The requirements for a stabilizing jacket

A stabilizing jacket suitable for diving must meet the following minimum requirements:

• The stabilizing jacket must have sufficient capacity to give yourself and your dive equipment positive buoyancy at the surface (CE standard).
• The stabilizing jacket must be equipped with at least one pressure relief valve, to prevent tearing of the stabilizing jacket.
• The stabilizing jacket shall be fitted with a system for manual inflation and manual venting of the jacket.
• The stabilizing jacket shall be equipped with a mechanical low-pressure inflator.
• The stabilizing jacket should have a snug fit (over the diving suit) and should not be too tight.
• The stabilizing jacket and strap assembly shall be made of non-rotting material. The fasteners shall be made of plastic or stainless steel and shall be easily releasable.
• The buttons of the low pressure inflator and the breather must be large enough to be operated comfortably, even when wearing diving gloves.