Going on a beach holiday is all fun and games, especially for the kids. But, safety should be the first thought for every parent. Besides protecting their skin and keeping them fed and hydrated, your kid should stay safe when they are in the water, especially if you’re going sailing.
A kids life jacket is a very important ‘accessory’ since it can prevent many disasters. It doesn’t matter if your child can swim or not, getting a PFD infant life jacket could literally save their life. But, when choosing a child’s life jacket it’s essential to consider many things. Here is a list of the things you should know about kids life jackets.
Types of Kid’s Life Jackets
Offshore
The offshore type of life jacket is best for extended survival in the open ocean, rough seas or remote water where chances of quick rescue aren’t likely. These jackets are designed to turn an unconscious person face and have a lot of buoyancy. It is bulky and very comfortable for extended wearing.
Nears Shore Buoyant Vest
If you are going on a vacation where the water is calm and most of the boating activities are occurring close to the shore, then this vest is excellent for your child. These are great for accidents where quick rescue is likely. This vest too can turn an unconscious person face-up and is less bulky so it is much more comfortable to wear. If you know that you’ll sail in rough areas, don’t get this type of vest since it’s not suitable for such water.
Flotation Aid
This one is ideal for calm inland waters only and is the most comfortable for wearing for a long time. So, if your child is still learning how to swim and you want them to feel safe in the water, or if you’re going sailing right close to the shore a flotation aid is an excellent choice. This vest isn’t designed to turn an unconscious person face-up and is not suitable for rough waters or open seas.
Designs of Kids’ Life Jackets
When purchasing a PFD infant life jacket, you will come across many different types and models. It’s important to know where you are likely going to spend the vacation. Is it near an open sea or ocean, or perhaps you are going rafting on a wild river? The type of water is essential when choosing your kids life jacket.
Inherently Buoyant
This kids life jacket is made of floatable foam or neoprene. The buoyant life jackets are durable, and don’t require too much maintenance, and doesn’t act from the wearer to work.
Inflatable
An inflatable life jacket can automatically expand upon submersion in water or be manually inflated; these inflatable life vests aren’t approved for children under the age of sixteen and people who can’t swim. These jackets need extra maintenance and are not suitable for activities that involve frequent water entry.
Hybrid
The hybrid life jacket is a combination of buoyant material and an inflatable chamber. The hybrid life jackets come in child sizes as well but need frequent maintenance checks. It’s not advisable to get this type of life jacket if your kid will be involved in all water activities. They aren’t very bulky and are ideal for extended wear and for anyone reluctant to put on a jacket.
Check If the Life Jacket Fits!
Just getting a life jacket isn’t enough. That jacket should fit your child perfectly, so there is no chance that they slip out of it. It shouldn’t be too small (it could easily lead to suffocating) nor too big (it can easily slip off the child’s body). A proper fit is a must; if it doesn’t fit you are putting your child at a huge risk. When buying the life vest, make sure your kid is with you so you can allow them to try the vest on. Don’t just assume that you will get the right size when the kid is not there to try it on.
It’s very important to test the vest after buying it. Don’t save it for an emergency, but instead test it in cal waters. No matter if your child knows how to swim, they might panic in cases of emergencies. The child should know how the vest will expand in case they fall into the water.
Teach your child to relax their arms and legs. Falling into the water or getting knocked over by a wave isn’t a fun experience. Your child (or any adult in fact) will be frightened. It’s a natural response to swing the arms, but arm movements make the body move up and down, and the victim accidentally splashes water onto their face. And this could bring even more panic, and may actually lead to drowning if the child swallows water.
Also, it would be a smart idea to get life jackets for the whole family. Many kids won’t want to wear the jacket if it’s only they who should wear it. By getting a vest for yourself, you’re setting a good example for the kid.
