Just like swimsuits and swim rings, life jackets are not a one size fits all. They are available in different sizes, both for children and adults, and if the chosen one doesn’t fit properly, the chances of drowning are huge. That is why you should always upgrade and check on the infant swim life jacket of your children in order to avoid a tragic outcome. And it’s really not that difficult to choose one. All you have to do is to follow some of the basic rules and that’s it.
How to Fit a Life Jacket?
The good old way to find the right size of a kids life jacket is by trying it on your child. All you have to do is to check the label of the jacket for additional details regarding the recommended size and weight of the wearer. However, if you are not in a position to do that, you can still find the one. The first thing you need to do is to measure the height and weight of your child, go online and check on the manufacturer’s size chart. That way, you can be sure that you will choose the proper infant swim life jacket for your child. Once you have it, let your child try it and make sure there is no excess room around all of the jacket’s neck and armhole openings. f any, do not hesitate and replace it.
Avoid Buying Bigger Children Life jacket
According to the general rule, a life jacket should feel comfortable, not too loose nor too tight, so make sure not to do the same mistake as choosing clothes (buying one size up). Yeah, it’s true that children grow up extremely fast, but if you want to avoid an accident when on an open sea, make sure to strictly follow the rules. The reason for this is simple. An over-sized life jacket can ride up and cover a part of your child’s face, so if there is a lot of free space inside the jacket, your kid won’t be able to stay above the water. On the other hand, a smaller jacket won’t be able to provide the right amount of support for your child’s weight, and the outcome could also be disastrous. So, yeah, it’s better to stay safe than sorry, right?!
Wear It Regularly
The truth about staying safe when on a boat and in the water is by wearing the right size of jacket and properly. The truth is that accidents happen not because of life jackets, but because people weren’t wearing them. Lots of accident and warnings have been made on this topic, so once for all, we need to understand the importance of wearing one, especially when talking about kids.
All in all, this is the most important thing you need to know when it comes to choosing the right fit of life swim jacket for your kid. And the truth is that today’s jackets are not like the bulky ones in the past. The introduction to today’s inflatable life jackets means that there is no bulk and you won’t feel the life jacket at all. However, you should keep in mind that these inflatable jackets are not the best option for children under the age of 16 or for adults who can’t swim.
Speaking of which, how to keep its warranty valid?! Well, it’s easy, by maintaining it properly. Depending on the manufacturer, life jacket warranties can be as long as five years, but in order to be valid, you should:
- Complete the registration form that came with the life jacket
- Maintain it carefully by strictly following the manufacturer’s instructions
- When in need, use only the manufacturer’s spare parts and nothing else
- Have it services by an authorized agent at the needed time
All in all, when it comes to caring for it, you should be aware of any servicing requirements and make a note of the date of the first service. After every use, you should make sure that the jacket’s cylinder is dry and there is no sign of punctures or corrosion. In other words, your jacket should be clean and dry before storing it.
In situations when the jacket is wet dry, after its use remove the Co2 cartridge, wash the jacket with warm water and a small amount of detergent and rinse truly. When done, leave it to air dry but away from direct sunlight. Once dry, replace the Co2 cartridge in the jacket and repack by following the folding lines. As we already said, it is always best to have your life jackets serviced by an authorised agent, however, if you plan to do it on your own, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines. In case you don’t have a copy, check their website or call the manufacturer.
