kids life jacket.

Brandon Yuchasz

Brandon Yuchasz

Well-known member
Hey all. I have an interesting problem. My son last year got his first camo life jacket for duck hunting. Its a sterns Greenwing and its a youth model 50 to 90 lbs.

This year ( he is 6 1/2 ) when he put it on it was to small. He only weighs 55 lbs.

His little sister fits it well and she is 4.

This year we got him another life jacket This one.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0045673943245a&type=product&cmCat=SEARCH&returnPage=search-results1.jsp&QueryText=youth+life+jacket&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mode+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=youth+life+jacket&noImage=0

It fits im fine and its a 50 to 90 lb size as well.

Im confussed as to if we actually got a 30 to 50lb model miss labled or something with that other jacket. Anyway moving on my my problem. Up here in the north woods I have to order everything online. He needs a new camo jacket for this year but I dont know what to order since I dont want the same small jacket and sterns makes most kids jackets. Anyone recomend a kids jacket for a 6 or 7 year old?
 
I am not sure how much this will help.... I bought a jacket for my son, he is 9. Its camo with the netting on the shoulders so he can shoot with it on. The problem I had is the min. weight on it said 90 lbs and he is 68. I talked with the sheriff the other day while at the lake and he told me as long as they do not go over the MAX rating it is fine. He said they see problems all the time with vest that don't fit the weight/size of the child. As long as it fits good and is not over the max weight, it is fine.... is what he said.
 
Last edited:
Brandon
Some of those life jackets for kids will tip them upside down when in the water and it's tough for them to right themselves. I would get one with the neck unit that keeps the head up and out of the water.
wis boz
 
I noticed with my daughter that the small PFDs were just that - small. Even though she was less than the max weight of the PFD it no longer fit around her torso.

I learned from a former Coasty that had been on way too many body recoveries that all boaters should be in bright PFDs. Our camo PFDs and camo clothing will not aid in rescue or body recovery. Even with the bright colors the Coasty is still looking for a "soccer ball" (your head) out on the water during a rescue.

My compromise with my daughter is to have a bright red cabelas "shoulderless" PFD under an over sized camo rain jacket that she can pull off if need be.
 
Ray how old is was your daughter when you started with the shoulderless preserver? O have one my wife wears but its to big for my son and as I said his other one is to small.
 
Brandon, I am with Wis Boz on this one.......Make sure you purchase the model that is designed to keep there head above water they are a little bulkier But........................
 
Charlie,
I apreaciate the input. Since we live on the lake my son spends lots and lots and lots of time in the water in a life jacket so he is very comfortable with them he started tubing this year.

Are the life jackets with the mesh on top harder to stay upright in?
 
She was eight when I bought the mesh "shoulderless" one for her. She was about 47 pounds back then and is just over 55 now I think. This mesh one still fits her well and will be good to 90 pounds, but I doubt it will still fit her torso by then. One big issue I was told with adult sized PFDs on kids it that there is enough bouancy in them that they will "shoot" up and off of a kid if the kid is not forcing their arms down. OR the kid will slip through them and sink due to the bouancy. This is why I like my girl to keep hers tight with both straps.

driving1asmall.jpg

 
Brandon,

I use a NEOPRENE vest, with a zipper and a strap on my kids. Fit very snug (50-90) range, comfortable for all day in the boat, tubbing, swimming. Nice thing is it fits under his camo coat for hunting and I have "summer" tested him by having him jump off the boat several times and just "float" up, head almost always comes up first. He gets a kick out of it, never complains.

They are pricer, Sterns makes them, as well as Sea Doo (which he has, it is black and dark blue). No help to rescue boats, but chances are he is in camo anyhow so.....but he would be floating.

I just asked Andrew, he likes it better than the foam ones since they ride up on his armpits terribly, this one stays snug where it needs to, 2 thumbs up he says.

About 70 bucks though...
 
Eric.
I will take a look at that style as well. I will be ordering his waders soon. ( he outgrows them so quick}

We plan to do a bit of practice in the waders and in a life jacket since floating in a setup like that is not easy yes I do know first hand.
 
Eric
Your comment "his head comes up almost most of the time" would bother me if he were mine.
wis boz
Click to expand...


Jim,

You have kids and grandkids, you know how it goes when you try telling a 9 year old (now 10) that you are trying to check out some safety issues and want him to try it your way, then have him jump in...to him it was all just a game and he was having fun.

I have NO worries about the safety of these vests or I would not use one. My comment was directed at he bobbed straight up MOST of the time, other times he came up at odd angles...now was that because of the vest or my kid having fun???? point is, he ALWAYS came up. No, he was not unconsciensce, so I can not speak to that. If that is the main concern, then I can assure you that NONE of the vests mentioned can do that. Until you start looking at the deep blue life jackets with all the extras, none of them will give you a guarantee.

regardless, as with everything, nothing is perfect and all of us must assume some risk in life and you have to decide for yourself how much you are willing to shoulder.
 
Brandon,

Neoprene waders add a lot of floatation but bring the head-up issue back to light. I had an experience in neoprene waders and NO vest, feet up, head down! It was in swift current and I had a heck of a time getting my feet back under me and not losing the flyrod. That said, I always where neoprene waders in cold weather, with a vest. I think that combo can/will save your life.

Gene
 
Eric
I worked as a life guard while going to school thru college on the Mississippi in LaCrosse and we had rescues right in front of watching parents with their kids upside down un able to right themselves. It happened so many times that we banned the jackets. I guess I never forgot and maybe a bit paranoid. Dragging for a drowned body isn't pleasant work. There's nothing like kids enjoying the water safely however.
wis boz
 
Brandon,

Neoprene waders add a lot of floatation but bring the head-up issue back to light. I had an experience in neoprene waders and NO vest, feet up, head down! It was in swift current and I had a heck of a time getting my feet back under me and not losing the flyrod. That said, I always where neoprene waders in cold weather, with a vest. I think that combo can/will save your life.

Gene
Click to expand...
Gene,
I had a similar experiance myself except it was a shotgun in my hand. I had waded out to pick up some down birds from shore. on the way back in I tripped on a log and went down. It really took some effort to get back head side up with my feet floating so well. This is another reason I would like him to feel what its like to be in waders (neo) and a vest. Just incase he every finds himself in the water when he doesnt expect it. Better safe then sorry.
 
Ray
Is that life jacket on right? I've never seen one like that.
wis boz
Click to expand...


It is modeled after the larger ones from Cabela's for adults. Actually they are really modeled after the white water kayak safety vests that are just chest and back floation with large arm holes and little straps over your shoulders.

These have mesh over the shoulders which allow for mounting a gun or more freedom of movement while casting, etc. I have two of the camo ones for adults and I like them for motoring and fishing. I have yet to where one while shooting since I am usually on the bank with the boat and not under power.

In this photo from two years ago her body was too big for the little kids one good to 50 lbs, but she was still too small for the Junior one in the photo so it looks silly on her. This year this vest fits her better and she still has 35 lbs to gain before needing a larger one.
 
Ray I wear the Camo mesh style and shoot with it on all the time. You dont even realize its on. I used to take it off but after a slip on the front deck one day and almost going into the water I realized I was dumb..... put it back on and wear it if I am in deep water. Like you if I hunt from shore I take it off.

Just figured I would give everyone some feedback its easy to shoot with them on. I wear the basic style without the neo neck liner the basic fits over warm clothing better.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top