Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

tom03

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
46
Hi,<br /><br />Im looking for an inflatable PFD for my 1 yr old girl ( 25 pounds ). The only ones I found so far are for 50 pounds up, idea where to get a one for 25 pounds and up ?<br /><br />Thanks, Tom
 

phatmanmike

Captain
Joined
Oct 24, 2003
Messages
3,869
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

i USED a yellow, glow-in-the-dark regualr vest fro my daughter when she was 18 months old, and even earlier... i dont think ive ever seen an INFLKATABLE one that small
 

tom03

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

Originally posted by phatmanmike:<br /> i USED a yellow, glow-in-the-dark regualr vest fro my daughter when she was 18 months old, and even earlier... i dont think ive ever seen an INFLKATABLE one that small
Yes, I was just thinking an inflatable one gives them more room to move, on the other hand there are for sure reasons why there isnt an inflatable one for the very little ones.<br /><br />Any alternatives appreciated. :)
 

cobra 3.0

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 31, 2003
Messages
1,797
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

Little children should have a vest with a 'neck'. The vests are designed to keep their head out of water and place them on their backs face up. They have a handle on the neck to easily grab them when afloat. I wouldn't recommend an inflatable vest for a toddler.<br /><br />Do try out in the water whatever you buy for your child. Remember the idea is to keep their face out of the water.
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

Congratulations on not being one of those parents who say "oh, 50lbs, 25lbs, whatever, that's close enough."<br /><br />Just to be sure, I always try to lift the child by grasping the PFD at the top of the arm holes. If it comes up past their chin, we got some adjusting to do.
 

BF

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
1,489
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

yup to the above... also the "crotch strap" on the small pfd's is important when it comes to keeping the jacket from riding up in the water.<br /><br />I personally like regular pfd's (crotch strap, collars and handles) for my kids. They use them when they're swimming in the lake and even use them in pools. Being familiar with how the jacket works & feels would make an unexpected dunk in the lake more bearable for them. I don't think you'd get that familiarity with an inflatable. Wearing a pfd on the boat, around a pool or on the dock is just "a rule", and they don't know any better, so they've never complained that they're un-comfortable (which I don't think they are anyway).<br /><br />Or you could get an assortment of old "key hole" lifejackets like we had when I wuz a kid. Then they'd always remember the neck rashes they'd get when they went fishing.. :D <br /><br />Brent
 

ED21

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 26, 2003
Messages
828
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

Mustang makes a nice PFD for children. Not inflatable, but they have a crotch strap so the kid can't slip out, a grab strap to lift a kid out of the water & an extra flotation collar so the kid should turn or float face up. They come in a few different sizes, even for infants. <br />I still have mine for any tiny passengers.
 

tom03

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 17, 2004
Messages
46
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

Thanks guys appreciate your help !<br /><br />Happy boating, Tom (Metro Detroit)
 

Richok

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Mar 16, 2004
Messages
97
Re: Inflatable Vest for toddler ( 25 pounds )

I agree with these guys. Go with the regular PFD with crotch strap. Something else you might want to consider if you are dead set on inflatable. I am a certified diver and I had my BC blow and start leaking. You wouldn't want that with your precious little one.
 
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