Hi. Wondering what other folks do about kid’s pfd’s for rafting and sit-on kayaking, in waters including some decent recreational rapids although not full technical stuff. Kids are 10 and 12 and decent but not highly experienced swimmers. And both light at 55 and 60 pounds,
Seems like there’s a wide range in the class III spectrum, from the wedge type with lots of arm space to a more restrictive looking ski vest style. There’s not a lot of information provided with PFDs online about their buoyancy or ability to orient heads-up.
And how many people go ahead and chose a class V? I mean, they wear it all day for multiple trips and its just an inconvenience, but the one time they actually really need it, you want it to be a class V, right?
The Cabellas is more for boating, than paddling. The arm holes are to small. This can lead to chaffing, on the paddle strokes. The other two, are more for paddling.
First, the NRS is a type V (USCG rating) not a Class V (rapid rating). The Type V vests are noted as ‘Speicalized’ and will have I, II, or III flotation rating. I’m most familiar with rescue vests as Type V. That said, NRS makes good equipment and vest looks like it might be a child specific Type I vest but you would need to contact NRS to get that information.
It’s not a bad idea to get the kids some practice swimming rapids on purpose. One danger is panicking and attempting to stand up in fast water. That can lead to foot entrapment and can be a very dangerous situtation.
@rival51 said:
First, the NRS is a type V (USCG rating) not a Class V (rapid rating). The Type V vests are noted as ‘Speicalized’ and will have I, II, or III flotation rating. I’m most familiar with rescue vests as Type V. That said, NRS makes good equipment and vest looks like it might be a child specific Type I vest but you would need to contact NRS to get that information.
Thanks. Yes, I meant type not class. Generally speaking, the behind-the-head flap seems to be a differentiating factor. Thanks, calling the companies is a good idea.
I think what I am trying to do is adjust to the modern pfd’s, which allegedly distribute flotation front versus back in a way to help orient swimmers heads-up. And also there is supposedly flotation ratings in terms of pounds per or something. But I have never seen any of this in writing.
It’s not a bad idea to get the kids some practice swimming rapids on purpose. One danger is panicking and attempting to stand up in fast water. That can lead to foot entrapment and can be a very dangerous situtation.
have two or three kids pfds currently- my own kids are grown but I do clinics often with children- I like the type 5 head flap jackets. with really small kids sometimes I add my own crotch strap. Throwing the kids out of the raft is great fun and letting them swim through small rapids really builds there comfort/confidence level. commerical rafting vests have the advantage of having many straps so that they are highly adjustable- sometimes a little tricky getting them in youth sizes. Probably the most challenging time was when my kids were around 4-7 years old. used type three extrasport vests and added my own crotch straps- no head flap but couldn’t really find much when my kids were that small