People regularly ask whether a life jacket is required when pumpfoiling. Of course, pumpfoiling is a water sport, and there’s always the risk of ending up underwater\u2014meaning there’s also the risk of drowning. So, wearing a life jacket is definitely recommended! \u2013 or not? Well, the topic isn’t quite that simple, so we’d like to take a closer look at a few aspects of whether wearing a life jacket when pumpfoiling is actually necessary.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_column type=“4_4″ _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_text _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ hover_enabled=“0″ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ sticky_enabled=“0″]
A life jacket certainly provides added safety in terms of buoyancy and thereby reduces the risk of sinking. For those who want to be extra safe, a life jacket with a collar is worth considering. In the event of unconsciousness, a collared life jacket offers additional protection. Classic swim and rescue vests, which have buoyant material on the front of the chest to ideally turn the body into a back-facing position, use the collar to keep the head above the waterline.<\/p>\n
However, anyone who\u2019s watched pumpfoilers will notice that very few wear a \u201cclassic\u201d rescue vest. In fact, many pumpfoilers don\u2019t wear any vest at all.<\/p>\n
Beyond the risk of drowning, pumpfoiling presents other dangers. The pumpfoil itself (the board with foil and mast) is made of relatively hard material and features sharp edges in various places. A fall onto the equipment can be painful or even cause injuries.<\/p>\n
We\u2019ve explored this topic more thoroughly in our report titled \u201cHow dangerous is pumpfoiling?\u201d<\/a><\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=“1_2,1_2″ _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ hover_enabled=“0″ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ sticky_enabled=“0″][et_pb_column type=“1_2″ _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_text _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ hover_enabled=“0″ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ sticky_enabled=“0″] Due to these risks, it\u2019s worth considering not only the risk of drowning but also the risk of injury from impact when deciding whether to wear a life jacket. Impact injuries can be mitigated by so-called impact vests. There are various impact vests on the market that also serve as buoyancy aids due to their design. If you pay attention to the buoyancy level when purchasing an impact vest, you can reduce both risks\u2014drowning and injury from impact\u2014with a suitable impact vest. However, it’s important to note that impact vests are generally not \u201cunconscious-safe,\u201d meaning they don\u2019t have a collar and won\u2019t automatically position the wearer on their back. Nevertheless, we believe that an impact vest with adequate buoyancy is a good option for pumpfoilers.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=“1_2″ _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_image src=“https:\/\/pumpfoilers.ch\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Aufprallweste-Pumpfoilen.png“ title_text=“Aufprallweste Pumpfoilen“ _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ hover_enabled=“0″ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ alt=“Impact Vest“ align=“center“ width_last_edited=“on|phone“ width=“68%“ sticky_enabled=“0″ width_tablet=“40%“ width_phone=“38%“][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_column type=“4_4″ _builder_version=“4.16″ _module_preset=“default“ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“][et_pb_text _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ hover_enabled=“0″ global_colors_info=“{}“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ sticky_enabled=“0″] The question often arises as to whether wearing a life jacket when pumpfoiling is mandatory or voluntary. In the following, we refer to the legal situation on Swiss inland lakes.<\/p>\n In principle, pumpfoils are classified as competition-capable water sports equipment and are considered vessels (Binnenschifffahrtsverordnung BSV: Art. 2 Buchstabe a Ziff. 1.<\/em>). Therefore, outside the outer shore zone (300 meters) and on flowing waters (rivers), a rescue device (e.g., a life jacket) with a minimum buoyancy of 50 Newtons must be carried. This requirement also applies to equipment like stand-up paddle boards (SUPs).<\/p>\n In short, as long as the sport is practiced on still water within the outer shore zone\u2014meaning no more than 300 meters from the shore\u2014there is no requirement to wear a life jacket. However, pumpfoilers who enjoy covering longer distances or following the waves of passenger ships and thus leave the outer shore zone must carry a buoyancy aid of at least 50 Newtons.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ hover_enabled=“0″ sticky_enabled=“0″] As already mentioned, an impact vest with sufficient buoyancy is a good alternative. However, for those who prefer not to wear a vest\u2014perhaps because it makes them feel restricted\u2014there are other options.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=“https:\/\/pumpfoilers.ch\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/RestubeExtreme.webp“ _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ alt=“Restube Extreme“ title_text=“RestubeExtreme“ align=“center“ width=“33%“ width_last_edited=“on|phone“ hover_enabled=“0″ sticky_enabled=“0″ width_tablet=“49%“ width_phone=“49%“][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=“4.27.4″ _module_preset=“default“ theme_builder_area=“post_content“ hover_enabled=“0″ sticky_enabled=“0″]Legal Perspective<\/h2>\n
Alternative to life jackets and impact vests<\/h2>\n