[NightWing]

Children panic when they fall into the water suddenly. This causes them to move their arms and legs violently, making it hard to float safely in a PFD. A PFD will keep a child afloat, but may not keep a struggling child face-up. That's why it's so important to teach children how to put on a PFD and to help them get used to wearing one in the water.
To work right, a PFD must fit snugly on a child. To check for a good fit, pick the child up by the shoulders of the PFD. If the PFD fits right, the child's chin and ears will not slip through.
PFDs are not babysitters. Even though a child wears a PFD when on or near the water, an adult should always be there, too. Parents should remember that inflatable toys and rafts should not be used in place of PFDs.

Your Questions: What do you recommend for a 7 month old child? She rides in the car seat while in the car but it seems like that would sink like a rock if the boat ever capsized. What should she sit in and what type of life vest would you recommend that she wear?

USCG response: We recommend a Type II infant PFD for a child of this size.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE - Since infants and children come in many sizes and shapes, the U.S. Coast Guard and personal flotation device (PFD) manufacturers urge that PFDs be tested immediately after purchase. You should test your PFD in a swimming pool. Test it with the infant or child who will be wearing the PFD. Just because it works for one infant or child does not mean it will work for another in the same manner. Check for proper weight range, comfortable fit, and especially a stable face-up position in water. Infants and children are difficult to float in a face-up position because of the distribution of body weight and the tendency for them to struggle or attempt to climb out of the water. Some infants and children float best in one style of vest, while others will float better in another. If one does not work well, try another style. Remember: Never leave an infant or child unattended on a dock, on a boat or in-the-water, even if they have a PFD on."

The major PFD manufacturers make them. You can find them in any store that carries a good line of boating accessories. There are also a number of online sources where a Type II infant PFD can be purchased. The following table is a list of Type II infant and Infant/child PFDs:

Manufacturers


Phone Number


Model Numbers
THE COLEMAN CO INC
P O BOX 1119
LAKE CITY SC 29560 Phone: 803-394-8893
FAX: 803-394-3940 150, Infant
WELLINGTON LEISURE PRODUCTS
1140 MONTICELLO HWY
P. O. BOX 244
MADISON, GA 30650 Phone: 706-342-1916
FAX: 706-342-0407 900PE, Infant/Child Small
ERO INDUSTRIES INC
585 SLAWIN COURT
MOUNT PROSPECT IL 60056-2183 Phone: 800-323-5999
FAX: 708-803-9223 351B, Infant;
ICS, Infant/Child Small;
KCS, Infant, Child Small; and
ICS-1 Infant
KENT SPORTING GOODS
433 PARK AVE SOUTH
NEW LONDON OH 44851 Phone: 800-537-2970
FAX: 419-929-1769 2PW, Infant/Child Small and
2PWV, Infant/Child Small
Full Throttle Flotation Inc.
7413 Slater Avenue
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 Phone: 714-848-5878 212, Infant
MUSTANG ENGINEERED TECH APPAREL
3810 JACOMBS ROAD
RICHMOND BC V6V 1Y6CANADA Phone: 604-270-8631
FAX: 604-273-6466 MV-3150, Infant
OMEGA MARINE PRODUCTS
1638 PARKER AVE
FT LEE NJ 07024 Phone: 201-944-4471
FAX: 201-944-3193 MW-10, Infant
STEARNS MFG.
P O BOX 1498
ST CLOUD MN 56302 Phone: 320-252-1642
FAX: 320-252-4425 PW-3001, Infant

The following are related questions that have been asked pertaining to baby seat type PFDs for infants:

Question: What are the recommendations/requirements for seating of infants in a recreational craft?

USCG response: If an infant is onboard a recreational boat, there must be an infant Type II personal flotation device (PFD) available for that individual. We recommend that the infant were the PFD at all time while onboard the boat. There are no USCG requirements for infant seating on any recreational boats. USCG does not have a policy regarding infant seating on recreational boats

Question: Are there break away infant seats available?

USCG response: There are no USCG approved infant seats currently approved, and there are no such devices being tested to meet our PFD requirements. We are not aware of any such device being sold.

Question: Does the USCG endorse any infant seats?

USCG response: At this time we do not, because none have been submitted for testing. If a manufacturer designs one and submits it for testing, we will consider it for USCG approval. Recently, there have been interest from inventors who are developing such a device. But to date, none have submitted their devices for testing.

Question:What PFD does the Coast Guard recommend for infants.

USCG response:Frankly, for any newborn up to 18 pounds, we do not recommend taking onboard a recreational boat, because current devices are not adequate for all newborns. Unless the parent is able to test their newborns out in a PFD, sized for infants, in a swimming pool, they will not know if that device will float their child with his/her head out of the water. Unless you know the PFD you have works for your infant, why put the child at any risk.



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