What about auto-inflatable life vests for kids?

[JonnyQuest]

A friend of mine who used to sail regularly with his son mentioned to keep an eye out for sales on the autoinflatable life vests that are the horeshoe type that go around your neck and down front.

I guess they are not really for kids, but his point was that down here in Subsaharan Mississippi where it gets to 95 degrees and 99% humidity, the increased risk of using this type of life vest is offset by the very real risk of kids overheating with the full coverage vests they currently wear--kids don't thermoregulate as efficiently as adults. I'm thinking my son who is 9 may be old enough for a suitably fitted autoinflator, however I doubt I'd even find a proper fit for my 6 yr old daughter at her age.

I have read that kids lifevests are designed as they are to turn a child over so that their face is not submerged in the water if they go overboard, and the sling type will not do that.

Sailors with kids? What do you think? Thanks for the ideas.

I'm talking about these types: West Marine auto-inflatable life vests.

 

[tkanzler]

The auto-inflators have a bobbin that triggers inflation when they get wet by softening and letting a heavy spring punch the CO2 canister. They also deteriorate with age, and presumably with humidity, so plan on replacing the bobbins on a regular basis so they're not going off on their own. They're not cheap, either. I would imagine a very humid environment would dictate more frequent bobbin replacement than dry locations.

I don't know enough about how they perform in the real world to comment on their suitability for use by children.

Oh, and the auto-inflators are my preferred type of PFD, as I can slip into it to climb into the foredeck, or when sailing alone, and it doesn't get in my way. I'm more likely to put a PFD on when it's an auto-inflator horseshoe, unless I or the boat is in real trouble, in which case I'll put on my off-shore bulky orange Type I.

 

[caguy]

The auto-inflators have a bobbin that triggers inflation when they get wet by softening and letting a heavy spring punch the CO2 canister. They also deteriorate with age, and presumably with humidity, so plan on replacing the bobbins on a regular basis so they're not going off on their own. They're not cheap, either. I would imagine a very humid environment would dictate more frequent bobbin replacement than dry locations.

I don't know enough about how they perform in the real world to comment on their suitability for use by children.

Oh, and the auto-inflators are my preferred type of PFD, as I can slip into it to climb into the foredeck, or when sailing alone, and it doesn't get in my way. I'm more likely to put a PFD on when it's an auto-inflator horseshoe, unless I or the boat is in real trouble, in which case I'll put on my off-shore bulky orange Type I.

I agree. I think if it were my kid I would remove the bobbin, put the vest on the kid and inflate it by mouth throw the kid in the water and see how it works. The straps have to be adjusted so he/she does not fall out of the vest.
Don't forget to replace the bobbin.
Teaching your kids to swim at an early age will prevent them from panicking and allow them to relax and float. OUr grandkids (twins, 11 yrs) can swim two miles in pacific waters. In a race of 250 junior life guards one came in 1st and the other 8th. Then they spent the next 5 hours buggy boarding.

 

[Apex]

There are express limitations on the inflatibles: age/weight. Though I do not have that readily availabe, they are not for kids. There are alterantive designs for children based on size/age. Encourage hydration and cooling off in the water. We used to use a bucket of water in the cockpit for coolig off. Good for all crew including the capt.

 

[Tom G P-21]

Check your state laws. In some states you have to be over a certain age to use an inflatable. Our local West marine had a chart of the rules for the surrounding states at the PFD display. For example in Massachusttes you have to be over 16 to be able to wear one.

 

[JonnyQuest]

Thanks for the input. Sounds like they may be too young but ill check with WM go further info.

If they or other types are available for kids I like this idea of inflating if and adjusting it as needed during a trial dunking.

If there are any really good life vests that aren't too hot god kids that anyone had experience with I'd appreciate the specific recommendations.

JQ