Waterloo company designs lifejackets for those with disabilites
Posted July 13, 2023 4:04 pm.
Lifejackets specially designed for those living with a disability are making a splash in the world of accessible water sports.
Boxes filled with the innovation were picked up Thursday morning by Able Sail Toronto, a group that describes itself as making the sport of sailing accessible to everyone.
The life jackets were manufactured in Waterloo by the Salus Marine Wear company and funded by a Trillium grant.
Karen-Ann Xavier, the Co-Founder of Able Sail Toronto, said it’s a design that’s been taking shape over a few years. In January, the group feeling they were ready to reach out to manufacturers.
“This front zipper makes it easier for people to get into the life jackets,” said Xaiver. “For the people that use sip and puff units, so that they use their mouth to control the sailboat, this pocket can actually fit some of the equipment.”
She outlines all the details that make it more accessible. “Being open makes it very easy to get people that are paraplegics and quadriplegics into the life jackets,” shared Xavier. “And the big design that we wanted was to have extra flotation here in the front.”
“This will be, overall, any water sports, this will be a great benefit,” she added.
Meanwhile, Lacey Miller, with the Salus Marine Wear company, a marine wear company that’s been making this kind of equipment since 1999, said they jumped on the opportunity to manufacturer the lifejackets.
“It a pretty finicky process. We’re very heavily regulated by Transport Canada and UL,” explained Miller. “It is very doable for the most part like I said. Certain things may take a little bit longer.”
The very first batch of life jackets now headed back to the National Yacht Club near downtown Toronto where they’ll be pilot tested through the summer, with the goal of eventually being used across the country.
