Everything about your lifejacket and buoyancy aid
Choosing, wearing, maintaining and servicing: you'll find all the information, manuals and documents in one place.
- Which one do I need?
- Frequently asked questions
- Service & maintenance
- Declarations of Conformity
- Our story
- Contact
What are you looking for?
Choose a topic, or go straight to a specific section of a page.
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Which lifejacket or buoyancy aid do you need?
An explanation of the quality marks (CE and steering wheel) and the Newton categories, so you can choose the one that suits your boating area, clothing and conditions.
- Compare Newton categories (50N – 275N)
- What is the difference between a buoyancy aid and a lifejacket?
- SOLAS/MED lifejackets and dual approval
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Service & maintenance
Maintenance, service, manuals and rearm kits.
Go to service & maintenance → -
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about choosing, wearing and maintaining your lifejacket.
- What does Newton (N) mean?
- How do I choose the right lifejacket based on weight, use and clothing?
- Which is the best lifejacket or buoyancy aid for young children?
- Can I take my lifejacket on a plane?
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Declarations of Conformity
The EU Declarations of Conformity (DoC) for all our lifejackets and buoyancy aids as PDFs.
All documents → -
Our story
From handmade fenders on the Zuiderzee in 1920 to a leading lifejacket brand.
Read our story → -
Contact
Can't find your question here? Our team is happy to help.
Get in touch →
Which category suits you?
The higher the buoyancy, the higher the performance level. The category shows which waters, what clothing and which conditions a lifejacket is safe for.
Buoyancy aidSheltered water, for strong swimmers only. Not a lifejacket.
LifejacketInland and sheltered water, with leisure clothing.
LifejacketOpen water and coastal waters, with (light) waterproof clothing.
LifejacketAll waters, heavy clothing and extreme conditions.- SOLASMED-approvedShipping, offshore, platforms and cruise ships.
Good to know
The key facts about servicing and lifespan at a glance.
- SOLAS dual-chamber lifejacketsService every year
An annual service is a legal requirement.
More about service → - ISO single-chamber lifejacketsAt least every 2 years
For intensive or professional use, Besto recommends a service every year.
More about service → - Inflatable lifejacketsMaximum 10 years
With an annual service from year 11 up to a maximum of 15 years.
Go to the FAQ →
How to get the best from your lifejacket
A lifejacket or buoyancy aid only protects you properly if you follow these points.
Please note: lifejackets reduce the risk of drowning, but cannot guarantee rescue. Never carry out repairs on your lifejacket yourself.
- Choose the right category for your activity and the waters you'll be on.
- Choose the size that matches the weight of the wearer.
- Take your clothing into account: heavy or waterproof clothing affects how the lifejacket performs.
- Check and test your lifejacket before use (practise with children in the water).
- Wear and maintain your lifejacket in line with the user manual.
- Put your lifejacket on whenever there is a chance you could end up in the water.
- Always wear your lifejacket over your clothing, never under your jacket.
Useful documents
The most frequently used manuals and guides. You can find all product-specific manuals under Service & maintenance.
- PDFUser manual for foam lifejacketsPutting on, storage, maintenance and checks
- INFOHow does an inflatable lifejacket work?Design and operation, in the Leisure brochure
- INFOService & pre-wear check by systemStep by step, in the Leisure brochure
- BOEKBesto Leisure brochureWatersports and leisure: all lifejackets, accessories and parts
- BOEKBesto Professional brochureCommercial shipping, SOLAS/MED, emergency services and industry
- DoCDeclarations of ConformityOverview of all EU declarations by product
Can't find your question here?
Our team is ready to answer your questions.