76 LIFEJACKETS:
Description
This article is from the Outdoor Activities for Young Children FAQ, by Gloria Logan glogan@atk.com with numerous contributions by others.
76 LIFEJACKETS:
>>> Get your kid a lifejacket!
Absolutely!
>>> Even if the smallest lifejackets fit 20-30 lb and yours is ten lb,
>>> put them in the too-big one and make it fit somehow. This is a
>>> MUST if you are going on any boats at all. Beth wore a 20-30lb
>>> lifejacket at 5 weeks and 11 lbs when she went in our canoe for the
>>> first time.
I must disagree with this. A lifejacket the wrong size, while better
than nothing, will probably not float a baby face up. Unfortunately,
the only place I've seen infant lifejackets was on an airline, and it
was uninflated and stuffed into a pouch. (BUT see below.)
>can anyone recommend a brand name for an infant life preserver?
>or at least some pointers on what i should be looking for. i know
>some organizations approve certain models, i just don't know
>who those organizations are. and where is the best place to
>purchase one (from an economic and selection standpoint)?.....
OK, I'll try to be more helpful:
Here in Madison, Wis. we have a store called Rutabaga which claims to
be the Midwest's largest paddlesport center. I just called them,
and they have a lifejacket by Omega for children from 0-30lb. for $35.
They were out of them in the showroom when I called, but he said they
had some in the warehouse. I have no relationship with these folks,
except as a customer, and I trust them. He said they take mail orders,
and can be reached at (800) 236-6646.
I got a lifejacket for Ethan when he was about 1 year old, and he hated
it, so we never took him in the boat. Now he's almost 2, and he likes
it. We went out in the canoe for about 10 minutes with him, and that
was as long as he wanted, so I'm glad we experimented. I got the first
one at a boat store, and returned it (I thought he might be too big for
it this year). The second one is the same, and I got it at Toys R Us,
and I think it was $10 cheaper. It was $20 or $30. It is a common
brand, I think it starts with S (Stu--?). They have them in the
standard boy idol and girl idol designs, but I got orange for sagety.
(I also installed reflectors all around our new wagon.) The toddler
model has a loop on the back so that if he falls in the water we can
grab him easily. I think that this model is more comfortable for
toddlers, but inappropriate for infants. (Min. weight 20 lb?)
-----
One factor to consider is the color of the life preserver, particularly
as viewed from above while the child is in the water. I'm appalled at
all the designer prints and colors on life preservers that seem to have
no thought toward visibility. If a child fell off a boat, you'd want
to see them right away. I insist on bright orange or yellow for my
kids. (also doublecheck the top side of colors in the infanct/toddler
sizes).
-----
Continue to:
My Books
