Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

[SheSpeeds]

We have a sailboat, a 3 1/2 year old and a 1 year old. My 3 year old fortunately loves his lifejacket and wears it all the time. My 1 year old is my concern. She should have a life jacket with a collar and a good fit and wear it ALWAYS. I can't find one so far, not just that she screams (in the house or on the boat) wearing it around, it's that I don't feel confident I have a good hold of her when she has them on. I can't carry her confidently, I'm not sure I have HER, just this giant pile of foam with a baby inside somewhere. I'm debating on putting a swimmy float suit on her so that in the event she were to fall overboard she wouldn't sink like a rock and I'd have a chance to get her, where as now she wears nothing (and that's irresponsible)...but that's not as safe as an appropriate vest that will float her heads up.

What do you guys do? Ultimately she should just not going out on the boat (meaning me either) until she's able to wear a jacket and swim capable...which is more appealing than losing a child to drowning, but not appealing to the sailer in me. I need suggestions! Why do they need more foam volume in a vest than they have body volume!

 

[Thad]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

"I'm debating on putting a swimmy float suit on her "

Not a good idea. They are not USCG approved and it is a ticket waiting to happen.

All of that "foam volume" is by design. There has been a lot of research into these jackets. They are made to right the baby to his/her back and support the head and neck keeping them above water so they can breath.

I would suggest that you go to a marine store or large sporting goods store and look at different jackets. We keep all of our jackets stored for future use and have quite a few different styles. What we found is that one will fit this child comfortably, but not another.

Bottom line, if you are not comfortable with the fit or the security of the jacket, then it is your duty and obligation to stay home until they are a little older/bigger. But, you already know that.:redface:

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

We got a Stearns jacket for my one year old. You actually zip her into it from the side and then it has buckles on it to secure it further. It has a big pad behind her neck to keep her head afloat and a grab handle on it to hold onto her if necessary. She wears it all the time and doesn't mind it. It is way better than the bulky one we had for other daughter. It is neoprene. It costs more than the bulky one, but worth it to me.

See link below:
http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Infant-Hydroprene-Watersports-Life-Jacket-P1858C26.aspx

 

[SheSpeeds]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

I've tried a few so far, the Stohlquist Nemo seemed to be the best fitting, easiest to hold. I also saw in an older post on a similar topic that they also got a low profile chair for their child to sit in to help with the upside down turtle effect the life jacket has on this age.

I'm interested in further suggestions as well if anyone else has one.

 

[SheSpeeds]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

[/QUOTE]
See link below:
http://www.stearnsflotation.com/Infant-Hydroprene-Watersports-Life-Jacket-P1858C26.aspx[/QUOTE]

This is an intersting style, different all together from the front-zip, perhaps since the Nemo isn't working either, I should see if this one is any more desireable to wear. Thank you

 

[cwhite6]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

You're very welcome. Hope it works out for you. We bought it at the local Academy sports here.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Infants and Lifejackets - Help!

I'm debating on putting a swimmy float suit on her so that in the event she were to fall overboard she wouldn't sink like a rock and I'd have a chance to get her, where as now she wears nothing (and that's irresponsible)...but that's not as safe as an appropriate vest that will float her heads up.

And if you can't get to her, or can't get to her in time? People/kids usually just don't fall overboard randomly. Accidents happen, a random boat rams into you, things like that are what you have to worry about. You can not count on being there to reach in and pick her up immediately...

Anyway, USCG approved life jacket or don't leave the dock, there isn't any middle ground on this one. Most enforcement personal have a very keen eye for young kids without life jackets, and you will NOT get by with a warning.