life jackets for grandchildren?

[Ian_Edwards]

I need life jackets for two grandchildren, a hyperactive boy of 3, so a safety line attachment point is essential, and a girl aged 6.

Recommendations for what to buy and the best retailers to approach please???

 

[jac]

We used the crewsaver versions for our children at similar ages but in reality most reputable makes should be fine.

We were told that at that age foam is essential - not only are they safer as young childens ribs can be broken by cannisters inflating but the foam provides good insulation for warmth and protection v knocks. Rings were on the back and front but watch for scraping of the boat with rear rings! Also they have good collars for support.

Our girls both grew tired of the foam at age 7 and wanted the junior versions of the automatic lifejackets - they are physically cooler to wear and of course don't look childish which is very important at that age.

As to retailers - you really need the children to try them on so whoever is local is best advice.

 

[Caer Urfa]

I need life jackets for two grandchildren, a hyperactive boy of 3, so a safety line attachment point is essential, and a girl aged 6.

Recommendations for what to buy and the best retailers to approach please???

What should also be noted that in addition to the child's age a good retailer should weigh the children as its no good supplying a jacket that will not support them safely,
as we all know there are some big kids around these days for their age.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I've got a couple of foam lifejackets of that size going spare, one with tether point and one without. They are in SW Scotland but I can easily get them to Edinburgh or St Andrews. If that's of any interest, fire me a PM. Modest contribution only requested to the Fray Bentos fund.

 

[Channel Sailor]

Could be you need a small harness as well? When my children were very young the yacht rules were the children always had to clipped on when on deck, clipped before the stepped out of the companionway door. Beside u bolts in the cockpit I had jackstays along each hull to the trampoline so they could safely walk around on deck at sea when no action on the sails. Using short straps when on jackstays. This means they needed harnesses, worn with D ring at the back and clips at both ends so they could unclipped when they stepped back in the cabin, the strap left ready for when a child came out again. Lifejackets only, not clipped on, was not an option when at sea. But they needed life jackets as well of course, with thigh straps.. Though as it happens the lifejackets had harnesses built in as well. Playing on pontoons, in the tender and in marinas they were always donned with foam lifejackets (100N as it happens). As were other children they were playing with so it was normal for them. The rule for all crew and skipper when at sea was always wear an auto inflatable lifejacket which meant the children never questioned why they had to wear either a harness or a lifejacket/harness. As they became a little older they were happy the foam and harness combined jackets without question. I think at around aged 10 I moved to the junior auto gas inflation types of harness and jacket, just like the adults. But only when they were old enough to realise how to blow it up or pull the cord if it did not auto inflate. But the auto gas inflates are heavy to cart around up the hill to the pub or shops after rowing ashore. In many years of holiday and weekend sailing I vaguely recall catching a child a couple of times trying to unclip themselves or another child's strap. So you need to keep a eye on them at sea of course. The foam ones were also good for when the children were playing and learning to row in the rubber dinghy tethered to the anchored yacht in a tideless bay. the foam jackets I had were made by a well known reputable company with zip up fronts, just one buckle (the steel loop inside an loop type which a child cannot undo), D ring on the back, crotch/thigh straps (step in type worked ok for little ones) and with pretty patterns on the little ones. I don't recall for sure but I think I had the 100N ones because at least they were wearable for them all day, or maybe that was all that was available at the time.

 

[William_H]

As said I think foam buoyancy rather than inflatable is best. They can come in life jacket form or vest form. Around here the lifejacket form with floatation behind the neck is needed to comply with manadatory LJ carriage in ocean. However they can leave the little mights looking and feeling like they are wearing space suits. The vest type a bit like a dinghy racing or water ski jacket will keep them afloat but not necessarily face up as do the LJ. However much easier to get them to wear them for long periods. (warm and padded) I have a whole range for the grandies from vests to LJs which are used for just swimminmg or boating.
We don't tie the kids on board. Although only sailing in sheltered waters. However there is always an adult also wearing buoyancy vest nominated to go in if any child goes over.
These buoyancy aids and LJs come up often at local car boot sale (trash market) etc as kids soon grow out of them.
Or you can if you are skilled /keen make one for the child. I intended to make one for child but ended up making a big one for myself. I used sail bag type coloured cloth 2 layers and high density foam (camping or excercise mats) for buoyancy inside. I used velcro for front joining plus webbing and clips. Eyelets at lacing can also be very good for child to allow for growth. Crutch straps are desirable.
The beauty of foam buoyancy is that you can put the kid in the water (all right a heated pool in UK) and both test it and get the kid to use it and enjoy it.
Anyone can PM me if interested int his home made buoyancy vest madness.

 

[jwilson]

Clipped on to a well-fitting harness is more important. For one I couldn't buy one small enough so made one. Both my children each went over the side ONCE on the end of a string to a harness only. Hauled out spluttering, they didn't do it again.

 

[jac]

Clipped on to a well-fitting harness is more important. For one I couldn't buy one small enough so made one. Both my children each went over the side ONCE on the end of a string to a harness only. Hauled out spluttering, they didn't do it again.

I think all child's lifejackets now have crotch straps and harness points so only need 1 item of kit.

 

[Martin_J]

You will also notice that with the foam buoyancy lifejackets, one of the front panels is much thicker than the other..

This is normal and would help with putting the person in the water face up.. Compare this with a foam buoyancy aid where the panels are the same thickness on each side.