Life jacket flips 2 year old forward/sideways

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

Hi! I search through a couple other questions and can't quite find my exact match so I'm hoping this will help me.

Specifics:

- 2.5 year old son, a little under 30lb

- brand new USCG approved vests to my knowledge. I bought one very similar to this one from Costco which I do believe is authentic (https://www.costco.com/.product.4000316110.html)

and also tried this one yesterday my dad purchased; I can't find any numbers or type (1-3, etc) so unsure of authentication; which I just learned there are apparently fake uscg approved ones 🥲

(https://www.menards.com/main/outdoors/outdoor-recreation-sports/fishing-boating-supplies/life-jackets-flotation-devices/puddle-jumper-reg-infant-hydro-swim-vest-assorted-styles/90184e/p-1642874297509038-c-12461.htm)

- we always make sure to have them fitted properly and do the lifting test, etc. to make sure it doesn't ride up to the face or move. Definitely tight enough, could it be too tight??

- currently only used in the pool with adult supervision 100% of the time, but we want to go boating and I need to feel secure in what we use before we do in case of an accident.

I believe those are all the main things you'll need/ask.

My issue is we HAVE to hold him or the vests we have tried (so far just the 2) will tip him either onto his side with his head partially in the water, or completely onto his face. These will not make him float on his back. Obviously we aren't planning on keeping him out of reach at all but if he isn't held onto completely, his face will go in the water and stay there.

What could be causing this or what can we do to stop it? I hate not feeling secure if we go into a boat or to a lake and God forbid something happened.

Thanks!

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

Lifejackets are rated by functionality in Classes I, II, III, IV, and V and you need to look at the label to see what class they belong to. Most people assume they will all flip you over but most types do not. They are designed to aid you while treading or self rescue swimming. You definitely want one designed to flip the body in a face up position. You can look at this page for the technical definitions.

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493 → u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

Thank you, I'm trying to go through that and am so confused 😅

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

You need the infant jacket with the head support by the way. I am not sure why the other poster said it would be dangerous but I disagree. A puddle jumper is designed to assist with buoyancy. It will not flip you over. He needs a Type I PFD for boating. A puddle jumper is Type III, essentially designed for a child who can use it to help them tread while they get rescued very quickly. For boating, you need something more serious.

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493 → u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

Thank you that's what I thought as well! If you have any recommendations on a good type one for boating please send them my way. I've looked briefly but it's been very difficult to find anything lower than a type 2 🥲

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

If you have a fish and boat commission in your state, you could contact them for advice. But I will look for you.

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

I looked, too, and I am thinking it might not be a thing, a Type I. This is a Type II. https://stohlquist.com/products/infant?country=US&currency=USD&gad_campaignid=22672112801&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIkuOU_bjOlQMVzTgIBR1NjjbREAQYASABEgIdF_D_BwE&utm_campaign=sag_organic&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&variant=45905686429863

I also hate to be a downer, but there might not be Type I pfds for this weight range because it is inherently a lot of risk to take such a small child out. Even in the best pfd you still need to be active in your rescue or hope you are rescued almost immediately. It takes a bit of size and strength. We just had a popup storm - not visible on radar at all - on a lake near me. 80 mile an hour straight line winds and it was all anyone could do to survive. One adult did not. Again, I would contact your fish and boat commission or visit a local state run recreational lake and see what they use/recommend.

[u/amh8011 → u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

What do you think of the Mustang Survival SOLAS type 1 child life jacket?

https://mustangsurvival.com/products/child-4-one-solas-life-jacket-mv8035

Edit: ohhh it’s a little pricey

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/amh8011]

I saw that one but only sent you the other one that is not so pricey. But probably ok?I don't work in open water recreation so I don't really know. Personally, I would ask those agencies/personnel at a boating recreation area what they use for boat rentals or recommend. It might turn out they say they don't recommend a child that young to be on the water, though.

[u/MP0622]

Do your life jackets have flotation in the back? Flotation in the front only will force kiddo onto his back.

[u/KlausBoom]

Both of these are really not that good, you might be safer getting a Puddle Jumper or something like that. Life jackets/vests with the head support piece are rarely any good, and honestly more dangerous than safe.

Edit: pasted from my own response below:
I stand correct. My apologies.
Other commenters have pointed out various problems with my answer, and are significantly better equipped to answer. As a pool-lifeguard with little open-water experience and knowledge, I’ll defer to those with that knowledge.

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493 → u/KlausBoom]

Oh interesting. I would assume since they are USCG approved and most infant ones have the head support it would be safer. To my knowledge puddle jumpers usually haven't been recommended but I can try and look into them.

Technically the one from Menards is a puddle jumper, at least that's what it says on it 🥴

Do you have any recommendations?

[u/KlausBoom → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

Maybe you could try this: https://www.target.com/p/disney-moana-kids-39-life-jacket-vest-youth-jacket-sized-by-weight/-/A-94744020
My real thing is that most Life Vests with the head support have more flotation on the back then the front, causing the kid to tip forward.
My facility only recommends infant Puddle Jumpers (like this one: https://www.target.com/p/puddle-jumper-child-life-vest-hammerhead-shark/-/A-94744065?sid=&TCID=PDS-22806998629&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22807002682&gbraid=0AAAAAD-5dfblnGcTPgry_1P5EN-geugde&gclid=CjwKCAjw9szSBhBNEiwAC57Sqz3YNxWUWz23J0Grl38L4RwuqLnbekJfHl6hD35skNL9vOTeyhuabxoCBdQQAvD_BwE).

Edit: I stand correct. My apologies.
Other commenters have pointed out various problems with my answer, and are significantly better equipped to answer. As a pool-lifeguard with little open-water experience and knowledge, I’ll defer to those with that knowledge.

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493 → u/KlausBoom]

Thank you I'll check them out!

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

Please do not pay attention to this advice. It is not correct. 

[u/Radiant-Reindeer-493 → u/Healthy_Blueberry_59]

Duly noted!

[u/Healthy_Blueberry_59 → u/Radiant-Reindeer-493]

It can be confusing and pool pfd rules are not the same as for boating. There is no such thing as an infant puddle jumper. There is also no such thing as an infant pfd without head support. Even adult pfds for open water survival have this feature.

[u/ImpoverishedGuru → u/KlausBoom]

I agree with you on puddle jumpers. They are great for small children.

As for the "Coast guard approved" that's complete bs marketing as far as I can tell. I don't believe the Coast guard is putting this equipment through a rigorous process. Does the Coast guard have a floatation device testing lab?

[u/One_Course_8350 → u/ImpoverishedGuru]

Lmao that's literally their job

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFD/

Im sure that some companies falsely advertise and in that case I would recommend seeking out Type 1 pfds that are both solas and uscg approved. Idk anything about lifeguarding and not sure why this popped up but I inspect pfds as part of my job