Which Lifebuoy & Housing is Right for you ?



Organisations/Individuals should carry out their own risk assessment, to help them decide what is the appropriate size and number of lifebuoys for their given environment. We have provided some information below, which we hope helps assist with choosing, after your initial assesment:

 What Size Lifebuoy Ring ?

There are two sizes of lifebuoy we have for sale: the 24 inch and 30 inch:


24 Inch lifebuoys: The 24″ lifebuoys weigh approximately 1.2 – 1.5kg, as a result, they have a greater throwing distance than the heavier 30″ lifebuoys. Their lighter weight also makes them easier for the elderly, or younger people to deploy.


Life rings for lakes, rivers and ponds are important and you will often find 24″ life rings in these environments. Where they can be thrown to the casualty.

30 Inch lifebuoys: The 30″ (SOLAS complaint) lifebuoys weigh approximately 2.5kg. Their greater weight reduces the throwing distance however: as a result of their size, they offer more buoyancy and are good in situations where there are multiple casualties, casualties may be in the water for longer, or where casualties are weighted down with heavy clothing or equipment. They are also fitted with SOLAS compliant reflective tape, to assist with visibility.


These lifebuoys are often used where there is a vertical drop between the casualty and the rescuer ( so they can be lowered to the casualty) e.g marinas, piers ,harbour walls, or rivers with high side walls.


Both lifebuoy sizes can be purchased with a stainless steel hook for hanging.


choosing a lifebuoy ring
choosing a lifebuoy housing cabinet

Life Buoy Housing Cabinets!

The lifebuoy housing cabinets: Choosing a lifebuoy cabinet helps protect the lifebuoy rings from the elements and make them more visually obvious. The lifebuoy housing we sell is designed to fit both 24″ and 30″ lifebuoys, allowing people to interchange the buoys when needed.

The housing cabinet can be either rail mounted (will fit rails or poles up to 50mm) with 2 galvanised U- bolts or post mounted. The posts choice is either surface mounted with a base plate (for example bolted in to decking), or below surface mounted (for example concreted in to the ground).

We also offer the same housing with a cover so the lifebuoy ring is fully enclosed.

Which Throw Line ?

For the lifebuoys a popular choice is the encapsulated throw-line. The line and enclosure fit snugly inside the lifebuoy and helps prevent tangling when the buoy is deployed. They also have a handle, to help prevent the line slipping out of the rescuer’s hands.

Encapsulated line holder for 24 inch lifebuoy

Encapsulated line holder for 30 inch lifebuoy

These lifebuoy throw lines contain 6mm Polyethylene braided rope with a breaking strain of 334 KG.

Should you require thicker rope, or rope with a higher break  load we sell various ropes here on our throw lines pages:


 We also sell a throw line in a bag, a 30 meter throw line with clip and floating rope at different lengths.


choosing a encapsulated throw line

Some useful links:

  1. The RNLI guide to public rescue equipment
  2. The RLSS guide on water safety



Email: enquiries@lifebuoysdirect.co.uk

Tel: 01903 258460

Open Hours

M-F: 9am - 5pm

S & S: closed

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