Which Life Jacket and PFD Colours Are Most Visible?

On-Water Visibility at a Glance 

• Fluorescent colours lead in visibility: In this study, fluorescent yellow-green and orange were the most visible on the water, particularly in low-light or overcast conditions. 
• How we see matters: Central vision detects colour, while peripheral vision responds to motion and contrast — high-visibility gear supports both. 
• Verified on the water: Real-world testing showed fluorescent yellow-green and orange were detected from the farthest distances, offering clearer long-range visibility for all water users. 
• One consideration among many: While Mustang Survival offers life jackets and PFDs in a wide range of colours for different environments and preferences, these findings provide helpful guidance for users who want to maximise standout visibility. 

About the Study 

Mustang Survival’s On-Water Visibility research examines which life jacket, PFD, and immersion suit colours are most easily detected in marine environments. Conducted using both simulated and real-world conditions, the study found that fluorescent yellow-green and orange offered the highest visibility, outperforming traditional red and yellow in low-light, overcast, and visually complex water conditions. 

These findings provide useful insight for those prioritising maximum on-water visibility. The results reinforce the role that high-visibility materials can play in supporting clearer detection for recreational boaters, commercial operators, and rescue personnel. 

Enhancing On-Water Safety with High-Visibility Life Jackets, PFDs, and Immersion Suits 

Working or recreating on or near the water carries the inherent risk of accidental immersion, and improved detection can play an important role in supporting rescue efforts. This study set out to understand which colours make life jackets, PFDs, and immersion suits most conspicuous in marine environments. 

Whether you’re fishing inshore, running a coastal passage, or working long hours on open water, choosing higher-visibility gear can increase the likelihood of being seen in low-light or visually complex conditions. 

High-visibility life jackets, PFDs, and immersion suits are designed to meet established conspicuity requirements and offer added support for users who want to maximize long-range detection—whether they’re part of a professional crew or out on the water for recreation. 

At the same time, visibility isn’t determined by colour alone. Many Mustang Survival life jackets and PFDs incorporate additional features—such as retroreflective tape, reflective logos, contrasting panels, and high-contrast trim—to enhance detection across a range of conditions. These elements allow users to choose the gear that best suits their activity and environment while still benefiting from key conspicuity principles integrated into the design. 

Understanding Conspicuity and Colour Visibility on the Water 

Conspicuity describes how easily an object can be noticed within its environment—a key factor in any situation where quick visual detection matters. On the water, two aspects of human vision influence this: central vision, which recognises colour and detail, and peripheral vision, which is more responsive to movement and contrast. 

Mustang Survival has long applied these principles in designing gear for the Coast Guard, commercial operators, and recreational boaters. To further understand how colour affects detection, participants—including recreational boaters, Coast Guard Auxiliary members, commercial fishers, and private pilots—evaluated fabric samples against a simulated ocean horizon. Their assessments helped determine which colours were most noticeable under varying conditions. 

The results showed that fluorescent colours such as yellow-green and orange were consistently more conspicuous. These colours reflect higher levels of ultraviolet light and appear less natural against marine backgrounds, allowing them to stand out at greater distances—especially in low-light or overcast conditions. 

Note: Additional guidance on high-visibility safety apparel and personal flotation devices can be found in ANSI/ISEA 107 standards, U.S. Coast Guard lifejacket regulations, and Transport Canada life jacket guidelines. These frameworks help ensure that safety gear is designed and tested to meet recognised visibility and performance expectations. 

Visibility Study Design 

Mustang Survival conducted a three-part study combining laboratory analysis, simulated visual experiments, and real on-water trials. 

1. Laboratory Test Findings 

• Colour attributes of the fabrics were quantified in the laboratory using the SIA Lab scale (i.e., luminance factor measurement). 
• Luminance results: 
  • Green: 0.93 
  • Orange: 0.41 
  • Yellow: 0.32 
  • Red: 0.18 
• Fluorescent green exhibited a five-fold brightness advantage over red. 

Above: Fluorescent green demonstrated a five-fold luminance advantage over red in laboratory testing, shown here through relative brightness on a neutral grey background. 

2. Simulated Visual Environment 

Human subjects—including recreational boaters, Coast Guard Auxiliary members, commercial fishers, and private pilots—viewed the fabrics against a projected ocean horizon. 

Central vision results: Green most conspicuous, followed by orange, red, and yellow (least visible). 

Peripheral vision results: 

• Left eye: Red and orange most conspicuous 
• Right eye: Red and green most conspicuous 

Above: Peripheral vision testing showed that red was highly conspicuous for both eyes, while orange ranked highest for the left eye and green for the right. 

3. On-Water Testing 

Target buoys covered in the four fabric colours were deployed in English Bay, Vancouver, BC, with detection distances recorded using GPS. 

Results: 

• Green and orange were detected at the furthest distances under both low and high light conditions. 
• Minimum detection distances: Red 350 m → Green 1,400 m. 
• Subjects had varying on-water experience; none had colour vision deficiencies. 

Key Findings 

Fluorescent colours consistently outperform traditional non-fluorescent standards, especially in low-light or overcast conditions. 

High-visibility gear can enhance detection for life jackets, PFDs, and immersion suits, offering an added layer of support for overall on-water safety. 

Most conspicuous colors, ranked: 

1. Fluorescent yellow-green  
2. Fluorescent orange 
3. Red 
4. Yellow  

Implications for Safety 

Using fluorescent yellow-green or orange in personal flotation devices significantly increases the likelihood of being seen in real-world marine conditions. 

This research provides guidance for: 

• Optimizing colour selection for life jackets and immersion suits 
• Improving survival chances for both commercial and recreational water users 
• Informing updates to Canadian and international safety standards 

Stay Visible on the Water 

Mustang Survival’s On-Water Visibility research shows that fluorescent green and orange PFDs and immersion suits are the most visually detectable colours on water. This holds true in both controlled simulations and real-world conditions. 

High-visibility gear plays a critical role in marine safety. Choosing fluorescent colors can significantly increase your chances of being seen in low-light or overcast conditions. 

By understanding how colour affects detection, boaters, paddlers, and maritime professionals can make smarter safety decisions and better protect themselves and their crews. 

Watch the Study in Action 

See how Mustang Survival tested life jacket, PFD and immersion suit colours in real-world marine conditions.