An immersion suit is designed to protect the user's body from the cooling effects of unintended immersion in water to prolong life and to aid rescue. It does this by reducing the risk of cold shock and to delay the onset of hypothermia. It also makes the wearer sufficiently conspicuous in the water so as to aid their recovery. An immersion suit may also be referred to as an abandonment suit.

All immersion suits must be designed to be donned in less than 2 minutes – including any associated clothing or a lifejacket as required.

Immersion suit’s must be serviced at an approved Hansen Protection Service Station every three years from the date of purchase. After 10 years, this service interval decreases to a service to be completed every year. In addition to this, all immersion suits are also to be inspected every month as required by SOLAS Chapter III/20.7.2. If purchased at Hansen Protection, they must be serviced at an approved service station. Our service stations are audited on a regular basis to ensure our high standards are maintained.

Approximately 10 years - after this, the annual servicing requirement often renders it more economical to replace these suits.

No - only use the recommended suit manufacturer.

Hansen Protection immersion suits which feature integrated buoyancy pillows are factory fitted with a SOLAS approved light as standard. All other Hansen Protection immersion suits are designed to be worn in conjunction with a SOLAS approved lifejacket which will include an integrated SOLAS approved light.

All Hansen Protection neoprene immersion suits are constructed from 5mm neoprene.

Modern suits with plastic zippers should be lubricated with the supplied silicone grease or zip-stick. Only the the end(s) of the zipper where the zip closes should be lubricated slightly. No grease should be applied to the teeth of the zipper. 

For models using metall zippers: Use a beeswax block and run up and down the zip teeth. This is usually done by the operator during the monthly inspection. Beeswax is not included with the immersion suit but is widely available.

No - The buoyancy from the suit’s pillow located behind the wearer’s neck will work against the lifejacket’s buoyancy placement as it inflates.

Yes. All immersion suits without an integrated buoyancy pillow are designed to be worn in conjunction with a compatible SOLAS approved lifejacket. 

A lifejacket is a personal flotation device (PFDs). There are various types of lifejacket on the market, each with specific features aimed at different applications. Our expert designers work closely with a wide range of professional organisations to refine every aspect of lifejacket design and construction. As a result all our lifejackets are designed, tried and tested with real life situations in mind. We learn from different markets and are quick to transfer innovations across our lifejacket ranges - ensuring what we supply includes nothing but the most up-to-date design technologies.

Although both are called personal flotation devices (PFDs) they are quite different. A lifejacket is designed to support the wearer in the water and will rotate them into a face up position - even when unconscious. Lifejackets offer more buoyancy, which helps to increase the distance between the waterline and the airway. Buoyancy aids are not designed to fully support the wearer in the water face up, but to provide buoyancy to help support the wearer in the water and reduce fatigue. Lifejackets are designed for swimmers and non-swimmers alike whilst buoyancy aids should only be worn by competent swimmers.

The key aim of a lifejacket is to protect the wearer’s airway. Lifejackets do this by working to rotate the wearer into a face-up position and by increasing mouth freeboard. The highly visible lifejacket bladder combined with reflective tape means that by wearing a lifejacket you increase your chances of being seen in the water.

These refer to the lifejacket’s inflation mechanism which governs how it is activated to inflate.

• Manual – Lifejacket must be manually activated by wearer
• Automatic – Lifejacket will inflate automatically after the inflation mechanism has been in contact with water for a short period of time
• Hydrostatic (aka Hammar’) – Lifejacket will inflate automatically after the inflation mechanism has been in contact with water for a short period of time and at a specified depth of approx. 20cm or more

This is dependent on your lifejacket. Some lifejackets are designed to be manually activated only. Always make sure you know what type you’re wearing and if it is suitable for the activity. All inflatable gas lifejackets will come with a manual override, make sure you know where this is and that it is accessible.

As a lifejacket manufacturer we would always recommend an annual service, however depending on your operation and the approval authority you are governed by it may also be a legal requirement.

• Safety of Life At Sea (SOLAS) – If you are operating under SOLAS, professional lifejacket servicing is a legal requirement and must be performed annually.
• ISO – The MCA state that the owner should follow the manufactures guidelines for servicing, in this case this means performing a professional service annually.

How much buoyancy a lifejacket has to offer is measured in Newtons or Lbs. The higher the number, the more buoyancy offered. For example, a 275N lifejacket contains more buoyancy than that of a 150N. For someone who is going to be in a remote area where help is not close to hand or the wearer is going to be wearing additional/heavy clothing, then it is recommended to opt for a higher level of buoyancy. Clothing, such as heavy weight foul weather gear will trap air between the clothing and can affect how the lifejacket rotates and holds the wearer in the water. The additional buoyancy of the 275N lifejacket will help overcome this affect.

Automatic capsule – Located on automatic lifejackets. 3 years from manufacture. Replace component as per the date shown or if it has been fired

• Hydrostatic capsule – Located on automatic lifejackets. 5 years from manufacture. Replace component as per the date shown or if it has been fired
• Surface light – 5 years from manufacture. Replace component as per the date shown or if it has been activated for an extended period of time
• Cylinder – No expiry date, only change once used or if there is sign of damage or corrosion. Ensure there is no corrosion on the thread or main body of the cylinder.

• SOLAS approved reflective taping
• SOLAS approved light
• Twin Automatic inflation chambers
• Whistle
• Buddyline
• Crotch straps
• Load bearing lifting becket/s

• Emergency Breathing Systems (EBS)
• Personal Location Beacon (PLB)
• Automatic Identification System (AIS)
• Accessory pockets
• Surface lifejacket light / strobe
• Crotch straps
• Spray hood
• Safety knife
• Safety line
• Fall arrest harness
• Quick release belt

*Any additional equipment added must be approved for use with the specified lifejacket

All lifejackets serviced at an approved Hansen Protection service station will be subjected to a rigorous inspection by a fully qualified technician to ensure it is fit for purpose and maximise its performance if needed in an emergency.

Yes, your lifejacket is an important item of technical safety equipment. The working life of the lifejacket will be prolonged by following the care and maintenance guidelines highlighted in your user manual. If you’re not confident in how to do any of the checks or suspect your lifejacket may be damaged, then please refer to your user manual.