Which Children's Lifejacket?

[AMCD300]

Just looking at the "Which Lifejacket" thread - and it provides some good advice. I am looking to buy new automatic inflatable lifejackets for my three children; 6 (15kg), 8 (30kg) and 10 (25kg).

I am currently looking at a Bluewave Kids Automatic 150N lifejacket - with integral harness, in both pink (for my little lady) and navy for my two deckhands:

http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/45/bluewave-pink-girls-automatic-150n-lifejacket-with-surf-flowers-design

http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/products/244/bluewave-kids-navy-automatic-150n-lifejacket-with-integral-harness-british-made

I have looked at CrewSaver lifejackets but the minimum chest size is two large for two of my little darlings (they are all petite for their ages). Conversely the BlueWave looks to be everything I am looking for, except that no children's lifejackets have a sprayhood (probably normal for this age group).

We already have foam self-righting lifejackets but I want something a little less bulky, especially as I want them to be useful on deck.

Does anyone have any experience of owning children's automatic inflatable lifejackets, and especially the BlueWave brand? I anticipate using them for inshore and coastal cruising only.

I know I am best having them try the items on but living in Italy, where no-one near me (Naples, Italy) sells automatic inflatable lifejackets for children, I need a brand that I know (from the technical literature) will adjust to their sizes.

Any advice is gratefully received.

Andy

 

[[70521]]

Why are you thinking about an automatic inflatable lifejacket? Children love to be in the water and it could cost thousands in re-arming kits.

Go for a normal foam filled one. Gives them far more confidence.

 

[AMCD300]

Why are you thinking about an automatic inflatable lifejacket? Children love to be in the water and it could cost thousands in re-arming kits.

Go for a normal foam filled one. Gives them far more confidence.

I have a foam one for each of them for 'water play' or just on the tender etc, I want one for when we are sailing along and the worst happens. Maybe I am being over-safe but why would you not want the best possible safety device?

 

[prv]

Some people advise against auto-inflate for young children (I guess 10's probably ok and 8 may be too) as it can be bloody frightening for them when it goes off. A sudden bang and out of nowhere something grabs you round the throat. Not so much after falling in the water (that's going to be pretty frightening regardless) but if it goes off after catching the toggle on something, or when little fingers are fiddling with it

That said, I have a small Crewsaver inflatable for when friends' kids come to visit, so I'm obviously not taking that advice to heart

Pete

 

[onesea]

Why are you thinking about an automatic inflatable lifejacket? Children love to be in the water and it could cost thousands in re-arming kits.

Go for a normal foam filled one. Gives them far more confidence.

Agree if they are going to be in the water..

If you have no plan on them getting into the try giving the youngest a chocolate bar to eat whilst wearing a foam life jacket.

There hands often cannot reach there mouth, my daughter has warn an inflatable since she was 3 or 4 (Blue wave pink one as per link).

I have explained if she falls in it should make a loud bang and it will inflate, she would still rather where that than a foam one...

Biggest concern is the L/J not inflating, she uses the harness when out of the cockpit.

 

[Tranona]

6 is a bit small and young for an inflatable LJ. When I bought for my grandchildren smallest available was 20kg or about 8+. Smaller children have foam which does up to 25 kg

 

[AMCD300]

A mixed bag of advice - as expected. Thank you. I was worried about non-inflation and will use a harness to stop them going over in the first instance. I see that the BlueWave starts at age 3, but is really the weight which is the important thing at 15+kg.

I acknowledge the comments about the bang etc on inflation - I think once they are in the water the bang may be a nice distraction from the fear of drowning

All good advice, thank you.

No closer to deciding what to do though....lol

 

[prv]

I think once they are in the water the bang may be a nice distraction from the fear of drowning

Sure, but what about when her mischevious brother pulls the cord as a joke? A poster here described exactly that; the little girl wet herself and then could not be persuaded to put the jacket on ever again.

Pete

 

[AMCD300]

Sure, but what about when her mischevious brother pulls the cord as a joke? A poster here described exactly that; the little girl wet herself and then could not be persuaded to put the jacket on ever again.

Pete

Pete,

There is that I suppose............tell you what, this is turning into a right pain in the a*se. I'll just leave them at home and take the wife away for a week's sailing instead. They will be ok on there own. What's the worst that could happen?

Andy