Info re Seago Lifejackets for myself, SWMBO & the kids.

Take5

Take5

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Hi. I am thinking at buying the SEAGO 175N - AUTO GAS & HARNESS LIFEJACKETS for myself, SWMBO and my 2 kids.

The kids are aged 6 and 8. One weighs 33 Kg`s and the other 37Kg`s.

The min weight rating on the adult jacket is 40Kg. The max weight rating on the Junior is 40Kgs.

So I am in a pickle as to which to get the kids?

Also any general feeback on these Life jackets would be much appreciated as I am struggling to find any reviews.

Thanks
 
It was the same jacket that probably saved my eldest, Sam, from serious problems when he was 11. I would go for two juniors & one adult for the kids. That way eldest will always have the correct size & little one will have a spare for a while. A bit more expense but worth it, believe me.
 
Thanks for the info. I hope your lad made a 100% recovery.

I am also in a pickle as to who if any of us need the crutch straps?
 
I don't think being a little off on the weight limit will matter much but I would be concerned about fit and adjustment. An auto-inflating jacket that rides up because it is too large or not adjusted correctly can, at best, block the wearer's vision (pretty frightening) and, at worst, help to drown them.

At 6 and 8 I reckon that will make the Junior size much better than the Adult.

I would, if you can, go to a chandlery and try some jackets on, at least for the kids. Try putting a kid in an auto-inflating jacket and then picking them up by about half way down the front straps... they shouldn't fall out or dangle from it.

Traditional foam lifejackets seem to work well for children... there's not much to go wrong, they can be used to swim or muck about in the water and they don't ride up.

I'd definitely have crotch straps on the kids jackets but then I'd put them on the adult ones as well /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
 
I've been using the Seago lifejackets for a couple of years now and found them to be pretty good, they always do well on magazine tests as well. The only problem I find with them is that the cylinder on the auto inflator comes lose now and again, so make sure they are tight each time you go out.
 
Re: Info re Seago Lifejackets for myself, SWMBO & the kids.

Yep, crotch straps are a must.
There was a thread on here some Months back about spray hoods too.
I also watched a Demo at SIBS by the RNLI.
It has convinced Me to get a Spray Hood jobbie.
Sunday I am doing the RYA Sea Survival Course.
It will be interesting what the Instructor has to say.
I too go along with the Yellow Flapper!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info. I hope your lad made a 100% recovery.

I am also in a pickle as to who if any of us need the crutch straps?

[/ QUOTE ]

Afraid not. He went and turned into a teenager. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
[/ QUOTE ]

Afraid not. He went and turned into a teenager. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I,ve still got 2 in the Nest.
Ones 23 ones 27! ( still like Teenagers)
I call them kippers.
K. ids I. n P. erental P. rotection E. roding R. etirement S. avings /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif
 
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Hi
Seago are OK, but definitely in the budget end of the market. It is not recommended to fit auto inflate jackets on children under 7 that's an industry recommendation, when the jackets inflate the process is quite violent and could possibly lead to injury and almost certainly shock on such a minor. The solid foam ones are better at that age they also have the added benefit of keeping the child's head higher out of the water, and crotch straps are a MUST. Have a look around and look at some better quality ones then make a decision. What price for a life?

Regards
Julian
 
Wading in on the subject of crotch straps and sprayhoods...

I bought a set of crotchstraps for the kids (although at 11 and 13 they're both in adult jackets) and I did a sea survival course in June. I decided I'd wear my own Crewsaver jacket and full oilies for the hell of it, and use the exercise to see if I needed crotchstraps. Stepping into the pool, my jacket inflated fine, and there was no feeling of slipping out of it. The acid test was stepping off the 10' high board wearing a still inflated jacket - I was convinced I would go straight through it, but in fact it didn't move at all.

The sprayhood is horrible - incredibly claustrophobic and a bugger to get on, but the alternative is not being able to move, so I think the hood is a must have. All our jackets have them now, along with lights.

I know the RNLI will disagree with this, but crotchstraps are uncomfortable. My jacket was properly adjusted and was fine without. I accept that if I were in the water for several ours, I may well start to slide out through exhaustion as I have no feel for whether I was helping to keep myself in the jacket or not.

So take the trigger mechanism off your jacket, inflate it manually and jump off the back of your boat. You'll soon find out how to adjust it and if you need crotchstraps.
 
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