life jacket

[morelnmusky]

Hello I am a long time reader first time poster. Verry good forum, thanks. I have a 18 month old boy and he is going fishin with me this year; he of course is going to need a life jacket and then so will I so he will be allright with his. My question is what would be the most comfortable. Is there pfd's for kids that are easier to wear than the foam filled ones? THANKS

[fisherking01]

Welcome aboard as a poster. The foam filled children's life vests are the best pfds for kids. They will float your child as well as keep their head up. Read the instructions, follow them, and you will have a safe and great day on the water. Children's safety will above all else be better than comfortable. They are comfortable to the point of me wearing one all day, so a child will have no problem with it.

wear your's, show him it's the right thing to do! Have fun, stay safe, Brent

[delmuts]

i agree with brent! one thing i learned when buying a life jacket for kids; put it on them and have them hold thier arms up over thier head. then grab the life jacket by the shoulder strap/pads and gently pick the kid up.if they slide out of it, go the next size smaller or adjust it, so this can't happen !! this eleminates any chance it will come off ! del

[shorefisher]

My son was a very thin boy so one with the strap between the legs was a must as he could slip through the ones with out. I did find some of the cheap ones did not keep them right (head up) in the water so once you have a good fit check it out on him in the water (when it warms or pool) to make sure it keeps him right in the water as at that age they have a hard time doing this on there own. I wish I still had the one I had to give you a brand but I gave it away sometime ago.

[g_anoka]

Unless things have changed in the last 20 years, you can find good quality life jackets in infant sizes all the way up to adults. The previous posters are correct, make sure you get one that fits. Then someday you will be like I once was, every size of life jacket from infant to adult. I just wonder which neice or nephew will be wearing them this year.

[Surface Tension]

Take your son to the store and try the different life jackets on. I've found some of the kids jackets to be very constricting around the chest and neck when zipped up.

[Down Deep]

Sterns makes some excellent child size life jackets. I bought a couple for my theree year old grandkids. I got the vest type and they are adjustable at both the chest and waist. They are also big enough so the kids can use them for several years too come. I paid about $30 each at Gander.

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ST is right about trying them on and I'd like to add bring a coat.

[Pleasant]

I have to second Sterns... I just picked one up for my Granddaughter whom will not even be born till June 12th or maybe before. LOL Fishing family though so I am sure she will be out on the pontoon with mom shortly after that. My Daughter has fished with me since she was not much over 3 months old. My Son was in the boat for a ride shortly after he was born, Kid born on May 11th give me a break! But what I like about the Sterns Jacket is if you have a average sized child it will fit them from infant to around 50 lbs. We always made the kids wear there jackets by the lake, on the dock (until they knew how to swim) and of course on the water.

LJ

[papabear]

also look for ones with the strap on the pad behind the head. It helps get them out of the water if that happens. But it also gives you something to grab onto to keep them out of the water.