6 yr old kid what life jacket???

[dmoriarty51]

So I have a 6 yr old daughter and she seems to be between availible life jacket sizes. The child jacket is up to 50lbs, and she is pushing 60lbs. A youth jacket for 50-90lbs rides up her back badly and doesnt want to stay down where it belongs. Obviously the child jackets have a crotch strap to prevent this but youth size does not. Both jackets so far were the nylon material with 3 straps the lower 2 going round the body, the top just across the front. I have picked up a neoprene youth size since it zips and has elastic sections built in, however it looks like its going to do the same thing.


Before i cut the tags off and try it out, I was hoping to hear the thoughts of others who have dealt with this. We want to try some tubing, and need to feel safe about the jacket staying put and doing its job effectively.

Thanks

 

[bajaunderground]

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

Get some webbing and clips and make a crotch strap...tie from the lower front clip to the lower rear webbing using loops and clips...should work as well as the little kid one...we had the same issue...luckily the kid grew into it before this season.

 

[kfa4303]

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

I use one like this for my 6 yr. old nephew and it works great. It was about $20, if memory serves. The crotch strap is great and keeps the jacket from slipping up too far around his head.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Sterns-Child-Boating-Vest/20567537

 

[oregoncruiser]

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

I think you need to do some more shopping and find the RIGHT life jacket. I went through this with my daughter as well, and I finally found the correct one. It fits, is comfortable and we didn't end up monkeying around with some homemade deal, too much rides on it.

Not trying to be better than thou. I bought two that did not work, and was not smart enough to try them on before removing tags. On the third try I got lucky I guess. Lesson learned was take the time to run around and find the correct one, would have cost me less, in both time and money.

 

[truckermatt]

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

I got a neoprene one for 50-90lbs for my niece and nephew 60&80lbs they are... I know I support ordering from iBoats, buy I would go to a local store and have her try them on so you know it fits.

I dont know where you live but try:

West Marine
Cabelas
Gander Mountain
Bass Pro Shops
Fleet Farm
Scheels

 

[dmoriarty51]

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

Baja, I have considered just that i have some webbing from something or another laying around.

KFA, thats the child size and its listed as good to only 50lbs, my kid is at 60lbs. While that one I think will still float her, not sure would need to test it.

I have tried several different brands and its not that they fit loosely, just that they refuse to stay down while she is floating/playing in the water. So long as she keeps her arms down there is no way it could slip all the way off, but in an arms straight up flailing situation Im not sure.

Perhaps I will ask a local water officer their opinion, the boating handbook for Iowa and the USCG just says the "proper jacket for the individual".

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 6 yr old kid what life jacket???

two different uses: swimming and riding. Hard to find one that's good for both. Truthfully, they aren't made for swimming, but for saving lives.

For riding, especially if you have cushioned seats, you want as short a back and front as possible, to keep it from riding up.

The official method that keeps the vest where it should be, sitting or swimming, is to have it uncomfortably tight. That is what the LEO will tell you. Not the answer you (or especially your daughter) wants, but it's the right one. No give. No slack. fully strapped. won't move an inch if you are thrown overboard at 40 MPH. Anything less is incorrect, although it's what everyone does.

In my day all we had were "ski belts." Not saying the new way isn't better, but the old way was easier!