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December 2010 Moms
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Can we talk life vests for boating? ::whiney whiner inside::

JoJoMama730JoJoMama730 member
in December 2010 Moms

We have a Type II life vest that G hates (Type II keeps a child's head above water).  Screams bloody murder if I even come near her with it.  The thing looks uncomfortable even to me.  At Target today, I bought a Puddle Jumper one (Type V & not designed to keep head above water) and another regular vest style (Type III & also not designed for that).  I think she would wear one of the new ones I bought and be ok with it for a short boat ride, but DH is saying no, these ones are ok for learning to swim, but not on the boat because there it's about safety and being prepared for the unexpected (her falling out of the boat, sinking, bad weather, etc.)   She's not going to wear that Type II vest (the one we already had).  Which means she won't be going on the boat this summer.  Which means I won't get to go on the boat at all on our vacation next month.  ::stomps feet::

I could probably convince DH to relent, but when it comes to boating, I virtually always defer to him.  So what say you?  I weigh safety very highly, but I also am fairly confident she's not going to fall out of the boat, we're not going to sink, and we won't take her out if the weather's looking iffy.  I really want to take her out on the boat, but not if I'm doing it recklessly/unsafely.  I'm torn. . . . .  and I'm being whiney.  I should just suck it up and not go on the boat if she won't wear the safest life jacket, right?

 

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Re: Can we talk life vests for boating? ::whiney whiner inside::

  • dee12807dee12807 member

    How much does G weigh?  If she's over 30 lbs, you can go with the Coast Guard certified one for that weight group that doesn't have the stupid head thing.  Under 30 pounds, sorry, but you really need to go with the one with the annoying ehad support.  You just can't take that chance.

    T also really hated his.  We were able to get him used to it before we went out on the boats by putting it on him and then distrating him with other things he likes here at home.  After daily fittings he didn't care about it anymore (took about 2 weeks).

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  • lrn327lrn327 member
    I know that is frustrating.  We don't boat so I don't have experience with the Type II but we do use a puddle jumper for swimming.  DS is about 24lbs and very tall.  The puddle jumper is on it's very tightest and after seeing him in it for the pool, I would never, ever trust it for boating until he reached the weight requirement of 30lbs.  It pulls down some in the water (almost off if we don't tug it up occasionally) and is a bit off balance/tipsy since he's too light for it.  I feel fine with it for swimming b/c we are always right there if not holding him, but as much as I hate to say it, I'm with your DH on this one.  Hopefully though you can get G used to it like Dee mentions above of you and your DH can swap out turns hanging on the boat.  Sorry :-(
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  • Five Months to PlanFive Months to Plan member
    We have a puddle jumper and it works great for swimming, but I would never use it on a boat. Sorry, I am with your DH on this one. I know she is not going to fall out, and you are probubly not going to sink. Accidents do happen though and many times are not caused by something you do but someone else error maybe even in a different boat. I say try to get her used to the Type II one, but if my DD would not wear it then no boating this summer. Sorry!
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  • sroszcsroszc member
    Sorry Jo, you have GOT to use the safer vest when boating.  I have mild panic attacks when we take Carson out on boats even when he is wearing his vest.  Seriously, the slightest sharp turn or another boat being reckless, anything can happen and in a split second she is out of the boat.  Even if you're just putzing around in a pontoon, someone else on the lake could be reckless and cause issue with your boat.  Maybe you can distract her with a food pouch or something?  I feel like I could do just about anything to C while he's got one of those pouches in his hand :) 
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  • JoJoMama730JoJoMama730 member
    Thank you girls. I needed an extra kick in the fanny on this one. You're absolutely right on all counts. I woke up much clearer about it today, and am nodding while reading your replies this morning.

     

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  • OhSewCraftyOhSewCrafty member

    In addition to what other people said, if you get "pulled over" by the coast guard and she doesn't have the correct vest on, you can get hefty fine. They take it crazy seriously, as they should. 

    Charlie didn't like his type 2 at first, but they get use to it! 

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  • IncogNeatoIncogNeato member
    I just wanted to give a Yes to all of you for being safety conscious. A friend of mine who is usually a cautious mom posted pics of her family out on a speed boat with her 7 month old and 2.5 year old on facebook. No one on the boat was wearing life vests, including the children. I was very Indifferent .
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