Children's lifejacket : How to choose a child's life jacket?

The child life jacket: an essential piece of equipment

80% of drownings could be avoided by simply wearing a life jacket or buoyancy aid. This safety equipment is mandatory and essential for children. We recommend that you wear a life jacket with a minimum buoyancy of 100 Newtons, regardless of your distance from the shore. From this buoyancy index, the vests for children are equipped with a system to turn around and keep the head out of the water. We recommend that you equip your children for their safety. Considered too bulky, not very aesthetic or not comfortable, children are sometimes reluctant to wear a life jacket. Today, manufacturers are working to offer more comfortable, ergonomic and design products to protect your children. One thinks in particular of the

combining safety, comfort and attractive design.

 

 

Buoyancy aid or automatic vest: how to choose?

The buoyancy aid: a reliable but bulky companion

This often bright orange and unattractive vest has proven its effectiveness in saving many people from drowning. The advantage of a foam vest is its operational aspect, it cannot betray you. It is ready to use immediately and provides constant buoyancy, which is ideal in case of emergency. Very often equipped with a large collar, this category of lifejacket allows you to keep your child's head out of the water. Its often very bright color allows a quick and efficient visual recognition to locate the man overboard.

However, these vests are not the most pleasant, nor pretty to wear. Sometimes a little heavy for the shoulders of a child and many straps do not always make the happiness of small sailors.

The gilet De Sauvetage Enfant Choo 100N 4Water }is the perfect representation of a traditional foam vest allowing an optimal safety for your child

The automatic vest: comfortable and practical

More comfortable and ergonomic, the automatic life jacket can also be suitable for your child. First of all, there are two types of activation for this type of life jacket.

• The UML Pro Sensor system: this system with salt or cellulose pellets allows a quick release on contact with water. Indeed, the cartridge contains a spring connected to a paper element that is triggered when immersed in water. The maximum buoyancy of the vest is reached in less than 5 seconds. The UML Pro Sensor system provides a visual indicator that the cartridge and percussion system are operational. This trigger system requires careful maintenance.

• Hammar System: Also known as "hydrostatic", this triggering method works by pressure. Indeed, when immersed in water, the pressure exerted will release the needle which then strikes the cartridge so that the vest inflates. Also, the maximum buoyancy is reached in less than 5 seconds. There is no risk of the vest being triggered suddenly. It is necessary to be vigilant about the maintenance of the gas cylinder.

We would like to point out that we do not recommend an automatic vest with manual release for children.

This family of vests has a more designer look and offers greater comfort and freedom of movement. The automatic lifejacket is recommended for a long cruise so that your child feels comfortable during your journey. The automatic life jacket requires careful maintenance and constant checking to ensure that it is working properly.

The is an automatic life jacket model equipped with the UML Pro Sensor system. It is ideal for children from 18 to 40 kg and allows you to check its operational status through a viewing window.

Maintenance of your child's lifejacket

A buoyancy aid does not require any particular maintenance. Nevertheless, it is always recommended to rinse it with fresh water to optimize the wearer's comfort. If your vest shows signs of weakness, such as a tear or a snag, it is imperative that you renew it.

The recommendations for the foam model are also recommended for the automatic model. In addition, it is important to check the mechanism and the condition of the cartridge. You must also inflate your vest and make sure that it does not deflate. To inflate it, we recommend that you use a pump and not your mouth so as not to let any moisture in.

• For the UML - Pro Sensor model: disassemble the bottle and check the condition of the cellulose pellet. A green cap indicates that your tablet is valid, on the contrary, if it is red your tablet is expired. Do not forget to check the manual release as well. Finally, you can reassemble your child's lifejacket.
• For the Hammar model: release the head to extract the cartridge. Once extracted, check the color of the light. A green light indicates that you do not need to change the cartridge. Finally, you can reassemble and fold your lifejacket.

Do not hesitate to check the accessories such as the whistle.

Which lifejacket for my child?

Buoyancy aid or automatic vest? UML Pro Sensor release or Hammar release? The question around the choice of the child life jacket must be articulated around the following data:

• The duration of daily use: during a day at sea, a buoyancy aid is perfectly suitable. However, during a trip lasting several weeks, wearing a foam lifejacket can become restrictive for your child, in which case an automatic lifejacket is preferable.

• Your child's weight: This is the most important criterion for ensuring optimal safety. Many models have several sizes depending on the weight of your child. This is the most important safety criterion to respect so that the vest can be used in the best way. It is therefore necessary for the safety of your child to respect this data.

• The budget: Of course, when we talk about safety for your child, the budget is not the first question. Nevertheless, we would like to point out that an automatic lifejacket costs more than a buoyancy aid. However, brands continue to work to offer quality products that are accessible to all.

Nautisports recommends the gilet De Sauvetage Pilot Junior Plastimo , a 150 Newtons category life jacket for children from 18 to 40 kg. It offers comfort and safety for an excellent quality/price ratio.

Happy surfing to all !

For any question or additional information, we are at your disposal at 04.78.41.79.31.

The Nautisports. com team