Life Jackets for waterpark/pool?

The Nap Taker

If you take your LO to the water park or pool what do they wear?

We buy season passes to our water park and this year will be our first time to take DS. I have heard of "Coast Guard Approved" life jackets but I am not needing a large bulky one like I would if we were boating, right?

 

MrsPteranodon

So I put Buddy in one because he goes and does his own thing when we're at the water park. Like we are there watching him but he likes to go and play in the water on his own. 

Last time we were at the water park I didn't put one on Tiny because he was to small to really need one.

 

We go boating on my dads boat in the summer and this year I'm getting the boys life jackets that are trim and inflate on impact.  

The Nap Taker

BostonKisses2:

I'm planning to use the life jackets that they provide at the water park, but I think I'm going to watch this thread for other responses to see if there are better ideas.

Looks like the majority of moms recommend this: Stearns Puddle Jumper, they also have one is a swimsuit version.

They are about 18.00

RondackHiker

Can you share more about those vests that inflate on impact? Are they reusable? What level of force makes them inflate?

The idea makes me a bit nervous. I've seen impact vests for other sports fail at times. I'm intrigued, but think I'd worry too much. I never minded a bulky vest growing up.

MrsPteranodon

RondackHiker:

Can you share more about those vests that inflate on impact? Are they reusable? What level of force makes them inflate? The idea makes me a bit nervous. I've seen impact vests for other sports fail at times. I'm intrigued, but think I'd worry too much. I never minded a bulky vest growing up.

YIKES sorry for the crazy long url.

My dad bought me one last summer cause he hates that I don't like fishing with a life jacket. I always wear one when the kids are around, but if I take off on the kayak instead I don't like wearing one because its harder to paddle. 

I can't seem to find the ones for kids. My dad bought it in the store and said they had small ones for kids that were designed differently but had the same inflatable idea. I'd obviously test them out before putting them on the boys. I think Tiny will wear a normal life jacket this year and probably buddy too depending on when the kid size starts. I didn't realize how expensive they were (thanks daddy) since the boys don't complain in normal fishing "coats" 

 

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Boating/Life-Jackets-Vests/Inflatable-Life-Jackets|/pc/104794380/c/104741280/sc/104399280/Mustang-Survival-MIT-100-AutomaticManual-Personal-Flotation-Device/1546490.uts?destination=%2Fcatalog%2Fbrowse%2Fboating-life-jackets-vests-inflatable-life-jackets%2F_%2FN-1100590%3FWT.srch%3D1%26WT.tsrc%3DPPC%26WT.mc_id%3Dgoogle%257Cboa_Life%2BJackets%2BVests_Inflatables%257CUSA%26WT.z_mc_id1%3DsDHbDp7Fx%26rid%3D20%26pcrid%3D12987053778%26gclid%3DCM7f0_jswrUCFeeDQgodPBYAgA&WTz_l=PPC%3Bcat104399280 

RondackHiker

So it inflates on impact? The product description on the link doesn't mention that. I wouldn't want to rely on needing to pull a tab, since I've seen accidents where people are knocked out.

That is pretty cool, though! I may need to check them out in person.

Dougsgirl4ever

https://www.stearnsflotation.com/Kids-Life-Jackets-C26.aspx  This is what we used for DD.  It keeps their head out of the water & they cant tip over. (I heard the ones that are in the swimsuit can tip their head in and kind of make them like a bobber?)   DD would jump off the side of the pool with it on.  You can get them cheaper at Target than on this site.

zeptattoo

We have not gone to a waterpark, but we frequent our rec center pool.  We eventually went with a Puddle Jumper and it has worked out perfectly for us.  It was a process for us:

The swimsuits with the life jackets in them never fit right.  So the life jacket never fit right.  Fail.

One of the things my kid loves to do is put his face in the water.  When he wore a regular life jacket (provided by the rec center), he would put his face in and he would float and REMAIN FACE DOWN.  Defeats the purpose of a life jacket, right?  Second fail.

With the Puddle Jumper, since the life jacket material is only at his chest and his arms are forced forward a bit, it keeps his upper body up  but not enough where his whole body would be perpendicular to the water.  Finally, a success!

MrsPteranodon

RondackHiker:

So it inflates on impact? The product description on the link doesn't mention that. I wouldn't want to rely on needing to pull a tab, since I've seen accidents where people are knocked out. That is pretty cool, though! I may need to check them out in person.

It inflates on impact. The pull is incase it does not inflate. My dad is paranoid so we tether the boys inside the boat as well. He installed this wire around the edges of the boat and the boys clip in in case they some how manage to fall over.  

RondackHiker

MrsPteranodon:

RondackHiker:

So it inflates on impact? The product description on the link doesn't mention that. I wouldn't want to rely on needing to pull a tab, since I've seen accidents where people are knocked out.

That is pretty cool, though! I may need to check them out in person.

It inflates on impact. The pull is incase it does not inflate. My dad is paranoid so we tether the boys inside the boat as well. He installed this wire around the edges of the boat and the boys clip in in case they some how manage to fall over.  

Thanks for answering my questions!

Is the tether quick release? I came upon a boat accident once where a man got hung up when his boat flipped after being struck by another boat. I flashed to that when you mentioned it. Though your dad seems to have planned ahead, I'm sure you thought of that.

The Nap Taker

mooshagirl:

I highly recommend the puddle jumpers.  They are awesome.  We have a pool and DD1 practically lived in it last year.  They are great because they keep them afloat, but it also allows them to swim around and play without it being too bulky.

Thanks! That is what I am seeing on Amazon, highly recommended. I wonder about the swim suit version? 

Dougsgirl4ever

The Nap Taker:

mooshagirl:

I highly recommend the puddle jumpers.  They are awesome.  We have a pool and DD1 practically lived in it last year.  They are great because they keep them afloat, but it also allows them to swim around and play without it being too bulky.

Thanks! That is what I am seeing on Amazon, highly recommended. I wonder about the swim suit version? 

Swimsuit version is not good.  I've always heard they tip the child over so face goes into the water easily.  Here is a review on one from Amazon: This item is very akward to get on the child. Once she is in the pool it rides up her chest just enough so that the floaty blocks in the suit ride under her chin and at the back of her neck. Thumbs down. A total waste of money.

MesmrEwe

We purchased a less bulky style one for DD when she was under 50lbs. that was great for use at a water park and still CG approved.  They're harder to come by now that she's a bit older and bigger.  I think we got it from Target of all places, but it's something I'd take to a water park, not necessarily out on the boat for an afternoon. 

MrsPteranodon

RondackHiker:

MrsPteranodon:

RondackHiker:

So it inflates on impact? The product description on the link doesn't mention that. I wouldn't want to rely on needing to pull a tab, since I've seen accidents where people are knocked out. That is pretty cool, though! I may need to check them out in person.

It inflates on impact. The pull is incase it does not inflate. My dad is paranoid so we tether the boys inside the boat as well. He installed this wire around the edges of the boat and the boys clip in in case they some how manage to fall over.  

Thanks for answering my questions! Is the tether quick release? I came upon a boat accident once where a man got hung up when his boat flipped after being struck by another boat. I flashed to that when you mentioned it. Though your dad seems to have planned ahead, I'm sure you thought of that.

Yeah my dad is really handy and very boat safe especially with "his" boys. The boys have tethers (much like dog tethers when you run a line in a yard and it extends) and it runs the length around the edge of the boat.

I'm not sure if its a magnet or what. But my dad can push a button and the line zips around he boat and releases the boys tethers. He installed it last year after Buddy jumped into the lake after a fish. Derp. Luckily at the time my dad always tethered Buddy to a tether around his waist. So when Buddy jumped he just kind of bobbed around and my dad just pulled the tether into the boat. Buddy got a spank and was not allowed to go fishing for 2 weeks. (I didn't totally agree with the pop to his butt, but thats life or death, and I trust my dads judgement. DH and my dad were fishing with Buddy that time) 

 We usually  fish on a lake that is a no motor lake. So no jet skis, or speed boats. We do take my dads sled down the river sometimes but that thing is WIDE I can't see it flipping outside of like white water. In the summer where we fish its pretty calm and low. Usually we jump out of the boat and have to drag it. 

 

Kim&Jim

We have puddle jumpers for the boys that we've been using for 3 years now.  They are awesome and one of the only coast guard approved products out there for kids.

That being said, when we have visited our local water park, we brought the puddle jumpers and they were very strict on what "rides" we could use them on.  Basically the lazy river and the wave pool.  The kiddie playground climbing structure with the slides was a no so they don't get caught on something.  On that structure no life vests of any kind are permitted.

You may want to call the place you are wanting to go to see what their policies are before you spend a lot of money.

For what it's worth, when the hospital water safety instructor came to speak at my mom's group, the only thing she recommended was the puddle jumper.