Maritime Wood
Childrens lifejackets, what is the kids choice
Selecting a lifejacket for our kids, and what would the children select
When choosing children’s lifejackets it’s vital to try them for size – because a poorly fitting garment – of, for that matter, one that’s badly adjusted – can be worse than useless. But how do they work in practice? And what about the kids who actually have to wear them
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Safety – especially the safety of children – is an emotive issue. It’s easy to say that we should all buy the very best children’s lifejackets.
There can’t be much doubt that that a gas-inflated 150N lifejacket will give an unconscious child who has been knocked overboard a far better chance of survival than any of the 100N models could. In that respect, there’s no contest.
On the other hand, as parents, I think we have to be realistic, and to come to terms with compromise. A lifejacket is no use if the child is likely to take it off as soon as he or she is out of sight. It’s far better to have something that they are comfortable in and happy with. Nor is it any use if it’s prone to damage, or if the child is afraid to tell us that he accidentally discharged the gas cylinder last week.
On that basis, I’d be inclined to choose an automatic gas lifejacket for any blue-water cruising, where the chances of accidental inflation are low and the need for protection is paramount. The same type of jacket would suit an older child, for whom the generally adult look is a significant bonus, and who is not likely to be put off by an accidental inflation.
For most of us, however, I suggest that children are most likely to fall in from a marina pontoon or fall out of a dinghy. They’re not lost overboard in a storm-tossed ocean, so the protection they need is slightly less; it may be worth compromising in flavor of something that’s easier to put on, less vulnerable to damage and – for young children especially – less frightening.
Having said all that, I was surprised that most parents select lifejackets for there children with other perspective. For me a good waistcoat style 100N lifejacket, with the enormous benefit of built-in safety harness will prefer my choice. It doesn’t need to have automatic inflation (a bonus, so far for most children who are afraid of accidental inflation)