Life jacket kids

Many kids love to take to the open water in a boat or sailboat, but it's important to ensure their safety. Kids don't have the same swimming skills as adults, so they need as much help as possible to stay afloat if they fall into the water. That's why it's important that they wear a good life jacket in case of an accident.

What should a life jacket for kids be able to do?

Of course, the most important thing is that it has the right buoyancy and fits the kid's weight. That's why it's crucial to choose a life jacket for kids that has a weight rating that matches the kid's weight. If the weight rating is less than the kid's actual weight, you run the risk of it not being able to provide the necessary buoyancy when they are in the water.

A life jacket comes in different buoyancy ratings, typically starting from 100N and going all the way up to 350N. The first category of life jackets are usually enough to provide the proper buoyancy assistance in Danish waters. They are designed to keep kids afloat in calm to less turbulent waters. Life jackets with a buoyancy of 350N are designed for very rough waters with large waves.

In addition, a life jacket for kids will benefit from a crotch strap, which is a safety line that goes between the legs. This ensures that the life jacket fits as snugly as possible and avoids the risk of the kid slipping out of the life jacket if they fall into the water.

Finally, consider getting a life jacket for kids that also has a collar. It will make it easier to turn kids around when you're in the water - even if they're unconscious.

What to look for when shopping for a life jacket for kids

One of the most important things is that the lifejacket itself is the right size. It should fit snugly and be fastened so that the kid doesn't "swim" in the life jacket. If it is too loose-fitting, there is a risk that children will slip out of the life jacket when they are in the water.

It is also important that the life jacket itself is comfortable to wear. Fortunately, it's rare that a life jacket is put to work, but kids still need to wear it for long periods of time. With a good and ergonomic life jacket, it will be much easier and more comfortable for them to wear it for longer periods of time.

Finally, remember that it is a legal requirement to wear or carry a life jacket or swim vest when travelling in open water. A swim vest or life jacket for kids is mostly recommended if it's for a water sports activity that takes place close to the shore. This could be for SUP, for example.

Take good care of your life jacket for kids

Generally speaking, a life jacket for kids is fairly resistant to the elements, but salt water will still take its toll on the materials. For this reason, it's important to rinse your lifejacket in cold fresh water after each use to flush all the salt out of it. Otherwise, it will sit and soften the materials, eventually causing the life jacket to tear in the fabric. This will render a life jacket for kids unusable, as it risks losing some of its buoyancy.

After a thorough wash, simply air dry it, but preferably not in sunlight as it has the same effect as salt. This will therefore also make the materials more fragile. Once it is completely dry, store it in a dry and dark place.

As most life jackets get their buoyancy from buoyancy aids embedded in the fabric itself, it is important that they remain as intact as possible. Therefore, you should never stand, step or sit on a life jacket as this will compress the buoyancy aids and the vest will lose buoyancy.

Buy your life jacket for kids here at Watery.ie

Here at Watery.ie, we are very much in favour of safety when going out on the open water. Whether it's on a SUP or in a boat, it's important that you can rely on your safety equipment in the event of an accident. And when it comes to kids, you should never compromise, as they often need more buoyancy assistance in the water compared to adults.

If you have any questions about any of our products and their safety, our customer service is ready to help you. And when you place an order with us, you also get:

• Free shipping on orders over 79€
  
• 3-5 days delivery
• Our customer service is ready all weekdays from 8 AM to 10 PM.

So take a look around the site to make sure your kid is safe for the next time you're out on the open water.