PFD for children

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tayous1

Recruit
Joined
Jul 11, 2007
Messages
1
I'm going to be going to Michigan next month for a little R&R and I know most of my day is going to be spent near or on the water. I have two children that I'd like to get a PFD for my youngest is a year old and the other is 4 years old.

I have no idea what to look for or where to look. The 4 year olds PFD I'd like her to be able to have it on all day with out it bothering her and let he be able to swim if she wanted to. Thank for the help
 
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rheyboer

Seaman
Joined
Apr 3, 2007
Messages
59
Re: PFD for children

Get a "ski" vest. Kids like them and will wear them. Nobody uses those orange ones anymore except as a spare. Make sure they are snug so the vest won't "float up" over the kids head. Might have a crotch strap to prevent this. West marine..maybe sports authority. Boat shop. Where in Mich? Sounds like you will be near a boat shop or two. Make some phone calls because not a lot of places will carry a very small vest.

Even with a vest watch them close. Fall off the dock hit head on side of boat.......
 
B

BF

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
1,489
Re: PFD for children

for kids that age, I'd definitely have the type that have the rear part that looks like a "collar" of sorts and that have a grab handle on that collar. It is strong enough to lift them up from it. Also, they should have crotch straps, and you should use them. They keep the lifejacket from riding up on them if they're in water over their heads. It also keeps them from sliding out of the lifejacket if you have to grab them by the handle. BTW, the handle is very handy just to have as a way of steadying them when they're getting in and out of a boat etc, without giving them "too much" help.

My kids always wear PFD's in the boat and have never complained about them being uncomfortable. Of course we don't keep asking them "is the lifejacket uncomfortable?" either. (don't even plant the seed that there might be an option not to wear it) It's just a rule with us... the youngest has to wear a lifejacket whenever he's around the water, except when we tell him it's OK to take it off (e.g. we're in the water helping him learn how to swim). They've worn them at the beach for hours without complaint.

I've attached a pict... We just bought ours at the local sporting goods places.

Oh I forgot to mention... the small one will probably not float well in a lifejacket... They'll probably be too buoyant, and may not float head up like you expect them to (their legs don't sink)... Try it at the beach, and make 'em wear it, but you'll still have to watch 'em like a hawk.
 

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rogerwa

rogerwa

Commander
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Nov 29, 2000
Messages
2,339
Re: PFD for children

The reason for the 'collar' with the handle is that is what will keep their heads up in the case they fall and are unconscious or are too little to control their movements. thats why the smallest life vests have that floatation flap around the neck.

Agree with all the points above. My kids, who have been boating most of their lives, have all used the vests and keep them on with no complaint.
 
scoutabout

scoutabout

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
1,568
Re: PFD for children

I'll echo the crotch strap and head rest with handle kudos. Definitely must haves.

Problem now is my 5 year old has started asking "Why don't you and Mommy wear life jackets too?"

Damn good question. Think I'll pick up a pair you can actually wear versus those keyhole monstrosities hidden away nice and useless under the bow seat cushions. It will be a major change for our family. I grew up around boats and clearly remember dad's test to see if my sister and I were fit to be in the tinnie by ourselves. The drill was to jump in the water fully clothed including shoes, get free off it all and swim across the bay (probably 250 feet). After accomplishing that at age seven I never gave PFDs another thought as long as they were somewhere in the boat and in good condition.

Really, the drill should have been, jump in the water fully clothed, have someone beat us unconscious with an oar, then try to put on the PDFs while slowing sinking to the bottom as water poured into our lungs...
 
B

BF

Lieutenant
Joined
Apr 8, 2003
Messages
1,489
Re: PFD for children

Here's a test for ya.... go out in deep water (over your head) not wearing your PFD, and while swimming, try to put your PFD on (whatever kind you carry in the boat). Most people are surprised how difficult it is... I've seen several people not able to do it at all, especially the ski vest type. It has to be deep enough that you can't stand up (that's cheating). Next time you go for a swim out of your boat, try it.

Having said that, I myself don't wear a PFD all the time (unless I'm in a canoe, or it's really blowing)... my response to the kids is "when your an adult, you can choose what to do". They get that. Wifey always wears her PFD, so they do have one good role model :) .
 
tnduc

tnduc

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
292
Re: PFD for children

Kinda off topic- PFD related but not for kids. Has anyone used the "belt" type inflatable PFD? I've thought about getting one for me and my wife. My kids wear the standard vest or ski type PFDs.
 
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sychan29

Cadet
Joined
Mar 12, 2007
Messages
23
Re: PFD for children

We're expecting and have been looking to see what options are out there for the future.

Dicks Sporting Goods also carry kids sizes and I assume Sports Authority does too. I would get one at one of these places (vs. a marine store). Don't order online...this is one thing you definitely want to make sure fits correctly.
 
Texasmark

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,893
Re: PFD for children

Crotch Strap a must. Almost lost my young (at the time) daughter in a ski fall because of no strap. The ski vest shot up over her head and had her trapped inside with arms straight up and face in the water.

Mark
 
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