What size of kid can wear an auto inflate jacket?

[Nick2]

Our four year old finds her foam jacket very restrictive and when we went to buy her an auto job the salesman said she was too small so no purchase and one unhappy daughter.

Obviously we would have no desire to get her one if its inappropriate but just wondered whether this really is the case?

Thanks

Nick

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2>http://arweb.co.uk/argallery/Nick2</A>

 

[Wiggo]

probably. We have kids auto gas jackets and I doubt they'd fit any kid under a big 6 year old.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://homepage.ntlworld.com/graham.wignall/boats/eulimene600x800.jpg>The old and the new</A>

 

[DepSol]

As mentioned before I bought an XMJunior from Allgadgets. Jordan is four and a half and it fits him fine, plentyof adjustments on straps etc and will last him a few years.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[milltech]

Childrens auto inflate lifejackets start at 18 kilos, but another aspect to consider is that if fiddling small fingers loosen the gas cylinder it will not auto inflate. In my opinion no reason not to purchase, but a good reason to regularly check.

I think sticking with the foam lj though is not a bad idea if small people are going to wear them to and from the beach/shore, since auto inflation can get expensive if it happens at the wrong moment.


<hr width=100% size=1>John
http://www.on-line-marine.com

 

[jimi]

One of the reasons I'd been given several years ago was that the weight of a very young child would be insufficient to submerge to a suffidcient depth to activate by pressure the hydrostatic trigger. We retained the foam lifejacket (hated by our youngest daughter) until she was about 7. Worth keeping a spare rearming kit aboard as well cos once she got it the bloomin thing has gone off at least once a year!!

<hr width=100% size=1>I've got a wonderful profile.

 

[boatless]

You might be interested in following this

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=521170&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=>http://www.ybw.com/cgi-bin/forums/showflat.pl?Cat=&Board=ym&Number=521170&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=93&part=</A>

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[stefan]

There is a growing consern about the reliability of the automatic lifejackets. Mainly this due to the users neglecting bringing the jackets to service check. - But an alarming 10% of new jackets didn't inflate at a recent test. Of the old jackets 30 % didn't inflate. - I have an automatic jacket bought for my now 9 yrs old some years ago and also one for myself. Testing can be done at home also. Fill the jacket and check that it stays inflated 24 hrs. Replace the salt cartridge and the air bottle. - Still, keep some old orange life wests arround for the worst scenarios.

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[Observer]

We have 4 x Baltic Junior auto inflating jackets. Can't remember the weight range but all our children have used/still used them. Only been tested once 'in anger' when #2 son fell off the pontoon and it inflated perfectly well. We've had a few false activations because of itchy hands on the manual firing lanyard but it's not been a real problem. I inflate them manually once a year and check gas cartridges and the salt bobbins etc. Can't see the need to replace the gas cartridge unless it's been fired.

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[Nick2]

Thanks all for interesting info

I shall now contemplate as I sit moored at Yarmouth watching the sun setting.......(I really wanted to get that bit in)

Will also contact manufacturers for kid lifejacket comment and will report findings

Nick

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