Childs Lifejacket Selection

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jasperthedog

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After some guidance on childrens lifejackets.

6 year old niece coming sailing for a couple of days. Swinging mooring on the Deben so lots of climbing in and out.

I have suitably sized buoyancy aids but on a fast flowing river would prefer something more substantial with a harness.

Not sure which way to go, inflatable type come with harness but may be awkward for her to put on herself. Where as the closed cell jacket type seem

more user friendly but do children find them to bulky.

Anybody's thoughts very much appreciated,

Many Thanks,
Richard.
 
For sailing the main thing for me was that the kids was self inflating in case they panic or bang the head. A harness i found was essential to. Kids had no problem putting it on.
 
Tryweryn said:
My daughters wear it all the time over tshirts or coats as they adjust so well.
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We have foam filled type with integral harness. I avoided the self inflating type as kids can and do fiddle with them so likely to pull the self inflation toggle. Especially if it's unfamiliar, I've known of adults who have done this whom oughta a known be'er!

Tried them iin the swimming pool and they kept the kids afloat. But I sail in the Irish Sea so being too warm was never an issue
 
We used the Crewsaver foam Seasafe (I think that's the name) which was a full kids lifejacket with collar and integral harness with rear attachment point and a 'lift out of the water' handle! I would avoid the air only unless she is a very confident swimmer and has tried swimming in clothes in cold water AND you are sure she can do it when frightened. Our kids sailed from 3 to about 8 years old in these before they moved to the Crewsaver Junior air jackets as they were both excellent swimmers and had spent many days jumping off the boat for fun!! Get the right size also as that makes a big difference to the comfort. We went through all three sizes as they grew.

The Crewsaver are a wee bit more expensive but are well made and we sold them on when finished at a good price.
 
+1 on all counts. Our 5 and 3yr olds use crewsaver foam type with harness and crutch straps.There is zero possibility of it not inflating or catching on clothing etc and they don't find them too bulky. Helps protect them from bumps and scrapes! Have tested them in the pool and they work very well at righting them properly, and the volume of foam behind the head keeps them as far as practically possible above the water.


ctva said:
We used the Crewsaver foam Seasafe (I think that's the name) which was a full kids lifejacket with collar and integral harness with rear attachment point and a 'lift out of the water' handle! I would avoid the air only unless she is a very confident swimmer and has tried swimming in clothes in cold water AND you are sure she can do it when frightened. Our kids sailed from 3 to about 8 years old in these before they moved to the Crewsaver Junior air jackets as they were both excellent swimmers and had spent many days jumping off the boat for fun!! Get the right size also as that makes a big difference to the comfort. We went through all three sizes as they grew.

The Crewsaver are a wee bit more expensive but are well made and we sold them on when finished at a good price.
Click to expand...
 
Many thanks to everybody, have decided to go with the foam type. Can see the inflation toggle getting caught fairly rapid.

Looking mainly at the crewsaver spiral.

If anybody has one or something very similar for sale in vgc I would be interested.

Thanks again, Richard.
 
We used a Crewsaver foam with integral harness until the crew was seven, then an automatic inflater with integral harness from eight. The really important bit is "integral harness" ... it is an absolute rule on board that the crew must always be clipped on while on deck if the boat isn't attached to land (anchored, moored or tied up) and sometimes even then if I say so (5kt current through Kirkcudbright).

As with adults, I consider the floatation aspect secondary to the not-going-over-in-the-first-place aspect.

Moving to automatic has been a great success, because it's easier to put on and less bulky when on. The crew tends to wear it at all waking times when we are onboard, so coming on deck to do something or see something is easier and happens more often. I bought a Marinepool, because Jane at Largs Chandlers recommended it and I am slightly frightened of her.

For dinghying we have a Crewsaver child's buoyancy aid, since I'll always be near at hand and I think it's better to be able to swim in that case.

Finally, I think it's a good idea to take the child for a swim in your friendly local swimming pool with the (foam) lifejacket on. We did that, and it gave the crew a lot of confidence to experience just how good the support is. Clipping on still matters more, though.
 
jasperthedog said:
Many thanks to everybody, have decided to go with the foam type. Can see the inflation toggle getting caught fairly rapid.

Looking mainly at the crewsaver spiral.

If anybody has one or something very similar for sale in vgc I would be interested.

Thanks again, Richard.
Click to expand...

I think I have a crewsaver spiral in the garage with very little use. I will have a look tomorrow.
 
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