How to choose a buoyancy vest for stand up paddling or kayaking?

I choose a buoyancy vest for kayaking, stand up paddling or dinghy sailing up to 2 nautical miles (3.22 km) from the land.

For unsupervised activities, choose a 50 Newton vest. (BA 50 N or Wairgo vest).

For supervised activities (in clubs), choose a 70 Newton vest. (BA 100 70N or BA 500 70N).

If I go yacht sailing beyond 2 nautical miles (3.22 km) from land, I choose a life jacket.

For inshore sailing, I choose a 100 Newton life jacket.

For offshore sailing, I choose a 150 Newton life jacket.

Depending on your activity and its intensity, you may need more freedom of movement.

A foam vest will be more restrictive for example over long distances than the WAIRGO vest, which is very close to the body and which moves with your body.