Life jackets for kids - help!

[peasando]

We're travelling next year in a part of the world where H&S is possibly not as focussed as we are used to, and there's likely to be quite a lot of boat travel.

While from previous experience I think it's probable that life jackets will be provided, for peace of mind I'd rather take our own for our 8 year old (can swim but not confidently) and 5 year old (non-swimmer).

Can anyone recommend what styles/brands I should be looking at - I am clueless! We will be travelling light so anything that is packable/doesn't take up too much space will be a bonus, but safety is obviously more important than packability!

What activities will you need them for?

Just for sitting on a boat - nothing more taxing than that. Obviously we'll be keeping an extremely close eye on them but it's more in case something happens to the boat itself, which would hopefully be pretty unlikely but I'm not prepared to take the risk!

I think you are really sensible but unfortunately they are bulky. I have had various life jackets for kids as I feel like you, I don’t live in the UK so can’t recommend specific shops but don’t get persuaded they are unnecessary, safely standards overseas are often not as high as we would like.

Go to decathlon and get a buoyancy aid

Go Outdoors and Decathalon both do reasonably priced kids life jackets. We've used both and they have been great

The sailing ones that self inflate take up much less room, they're not cheap though. Agree with go to Decathlon.

Thanks all, will definitely check out decathlon. Never heard of self inflating ones but will look into that too, sounds ideal!

You might not want a sailing style one - if the canister activates (on contact with water) you can’t then continue to use that lifejacket until you get a fresh canister fitted.

For small children a buoyant lifejacket is better.

Buoyancy aids are not effective enough for a small non-swimming child over deep water.

You need buoyant life jackets in the correct size, and to know how to do the straps so they’re put on right. Badly fitted or wrongly worn life jackets can be worse than no life jacket.

Oh gosh thank you @OodleDoodleTwonk it's a minefield! If I go into a real life shop with the children will someone help get the right size/show me what to do?

Can you fly with a self inflating one? I'd have thought the canister might be an issue. Plus as someone said it s single use until you fit an other canister.

Life jackets usually have weight recommendations so make sure you weigh the DC's before you go shopping. It's also worth letting them try them out before you go on holiday. Some kids find them unsettling if they don't like being on their back in the water.

Can't you buy one once you're over there?

Great advice @OverReflectiveMum thank you. Embarrassingly I have no idea what DC weigh (although as I'm on a mega diet I can tell you my own weight on any given day to the nearest 1/2 lb!)

@coxesorangepippin possibly but I don't want to take the risk of not being able to and also I don't know if they'd be made to the same safety standards.

Yes, a good in-person shop will help you.

Find a water sports, boating or chandlery nearby.

Ring ahead, and take kids with you for sizing check. Weigh them first if you can too.

The RNLI website will have guidance somewhere on fitting life jackets for children.

if you live in or near a boaty community it’s worth asking on socials to see if anyone has an outgrown one that would suit.