Any good USCG approved life jackets?

stephdruskinis

Anyone have a rec for a good life jacket for LO?  My in-laws rented a house on a lake for a week at the end of the month, and we need to find B a good life vest.  I'm pretty obsessed with water safety, and I want a vest that's Coast Guard approved, not just one of the floaty vests that Toys R Us tried to tell me was good.  (I was a lifeguard for 9 years...floatation device isn't the same as lifesaving device, lol!)

klingb52

We spend a lot of time on the lake and got this:

https://www.waterskiworld.com/life_vest/Infant_Life_Vest/toddler_life_vest/toddler_life_vest_1.html

Miles doesn't love to get it put on, but doesn't mind it once it is on.  It is coast guard approved.  I like the neoprene vs. nylon.  it seems to be more comfortable and not as drippy when it is wet.  I don't know if this site is the best to purchase from, but the price is not bad.  We got ours at a local shop.

ElatedMom2B

Was it your post I replied to on the 9-12 board?  We have a Dora the Explorer vest that we bought at Target or Walmart for only $12.00.  It is lifeguard approved.  If you see them in the stores, read the back of the vest (imprinted on the inside back) and it will tell you the poundage rating and USCG approval.  There really is no need to go spend $30-$50 at Marine West, REI, Overtons, etc.  Your LO will grow out of it and/or you may need to replace it if you use it enough (we had a boat when I was a kid and there were some summers that we used it so much that between the water and the sun, it felt like the straps were getting worn or they just started to stink!).

Rachel5782

We got one from Costco for 20 bucks!  Well see how he likes it next week when we go on vacation.  We'll be taking LO for boat rides.

hajski

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Stearns-Infant-Hydroprene-Vest/16480888?ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=16480888&sourceid=1500000000000003260410&veh=dat

Do not get this one in any color.  LO hates it so much. It is so tight around the neck she can barely turn her head. She looks as if she is in a straight jacket. I will say, though, that when we put her in the water it turns her over to her back so fast so that is good, but the comfort level is bad. We are looking into a new one that isn't a choke hold.

stephdruskinis

Thanks so much for the input everyone!  I did post it on the Toddler 12-24 board, so I bet it was my post over there too.  I want as much info as possible on these, especially if I have to buy online.  I don't want to get it in the mail and discover it is super uncomfortable or anything!

MammaBear81

Just my 2 cents, there are different levels of "coast guard approved" the lower the number the better.  Ones that flip LO on their backs are rate with a I or II, things like puddle jumpers are rated as a III (your child will float up the the surface, but they might not necessarily be face up in the water).

slstine19

My husband & I have been looking for one for DS.  We saw one at Menards and then he was looking at Walmart.  Good to know about the rating system.  I saw one that said  Coast guard type 2 approved and was described as Stearns Infant Classic Series Heads Up Life Vest.  Is that what you were talking about MammaBear?

MammaBear81

slstine19:

My husband & I have been looking for one for DS.  We saw one at Menards and then he was looking at Walmart.  Good to know about the rating system.  I saw one that said  Coast guard type 2 approved and was described as Stearns Infant Classic Series Heads Up Life Vest.  Is that what you were talking about MammaBear?

Yes, that's it!

amberpro

We have the one on the left: 

  

We got it last summer at Bass Pro for $30.  It's West Marine.  I like the neoprine ones- they are more comfortable, IMO.

Speedo makes one that runs about $20 that works well, too:

 

Definitely need a neck flap until 30 pounds.

And I agree with PP... do NOT get the ones that buckle like this:

  

So uncomfortable.  My BIL got one like that for my niece and they ended up going back and getting another one it was so bad.  Poor thing cried the whole time and couldn't move.