(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best marine safety & flotation devices

We use a puddle jumper which are amazing in my opinion. My aunt did have trouble with a generic brand one that would just flip the child upside down but the name brand ones are awesome. They allow for plenty of movement, so it’s easier to teach them how to swim while wearing one. My aunt has used one for almost 4 years and her child swims probably every good summer day.

Something like this would be perfect. It's coast guard approved, and more comfortable for your little guy than a full life jacket may be.

I have no personal experience with this, but this one has good reviews (around 100 of them) on amazon. Congrats on getting married!

Why do you say a puddle jumper won't do much better? This jacket is coast guard approved and I've tried to rip it off my child for testing with no success. It's also much better than most coast guard approved jackets at keeping them face up.

https://www.amazon.com/Onyx-Automatic-Manual-Inflatable-Jacket/dp/B00TLFE5WE/ref=sr_1_4?keywords=auto+inflatable+pfd&qid=1562589408&s=gateway&sr=8-4

It's super light weight and comfortable, especially when its 90 degrees by 9. The con is that it doesn't have any pockets though. The link is for the auto inflatable one, which is the one 'I'm wearing in the photo. They have manual inflating types as well if you don't want to spend the extra $.

I have the MTI Calcutta and really enjoy it. It has a high back to sit above the backrest on your boat, and some pretty good storage options with a D-ring I hang my line clippers from and a place to put your hook removers and a few pockets.

It's true, the 100oz hydration bladders are great. But a combination of frame bottles and a waist pack should get you the same volume. Like this one: http://www.amazon.com/CamelBak-Tahoe-LR-50-Black/dp/B006ZV5MO2/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1410881305&sr=8-4&keywords=camelbak+fanny+pack

Awesome, thanks for the advice.

I was looking at a Stohlquist Trekker for the PFD. Seems well reviewed.

I may make an offer for $800 on that Zephyr, see where that gets me.

The only market I could see this appealing to is people with "old" flat panel TVs without 3D who want the TV to be 3D. Today buying a TV with 3D vs without is a matter of a few hundred bucks with the quality/size of TV staying the same (sometimes 3D is a feature you can't get rid of in higher end models). 3D has been available for a while now, so if anyone purchased a TV in the last 4 years and really wanted 3D, they would have already purchased a 3D TV. The idea of an extra box and more connections is unlikely to sway those on the edge of wanting 3D.

The majorirty of the market this could sell to is people with TVs more than 4 years old, maybe a really cheap model would sell, but this already exists. Now you already have competition in a small market. You could offer support of non-HDMI sources, but it is unlikely anyone with non-HDMI compatible sources or displays is going to care about 3D.

TLDR Back to the drawing board.

The arm ones are one of the worst, unless its something like a puddle jumper. which are USCG approved. Basicly, you want something that can't deflate, and if the kid is totally unconscious will float with their head out of the water. If you go unconscious with just the arm band things, at best your arms will float nicely while your head is still under the water.

I use this one.

pfd

I like it a lot it breaths great and it doesn't hurt movement.

Thanks for this. That’s the scary thing about the counterfeit situation. This is the one we were looking at. It is USCG approved. Most reviews were fine, even glowing, and then there were a not tiny amount of one star reviews that said things like:

“This is NOT a life jacket. It is a buoyancy device. Do not purchase this as a life preserver for a young child that cannot flip onto their back, or their face will be submerged in water with their backs up. We bought this by mistake, and the inside label says buoyancy device. That wasn’t in the description so I just wanted to make the buyers aware.”

“Not a real Stearns vest! We got a knock off that says ‘not a life saving device’.... the description says it is US coast guard approved which this is clearly not. If it is real... it has the safety details on the inside of the back and the Stearns tag near the lower buckle. I am shocked this is ‘Amazon’s Choice’”

When we go Kayaking I carry my Hill People gear Kit bag no problem with our life jackets. super handy to have firearm and other gear like a knife and tackle all in front as well.

Edit : We have These types. With the right firearm a slim 43 or smaller you could also comfortably carry a standard AIWB imo with it.

I'm buying this tonight. The brand seems reasonably priced and the reviews are good, plus their other life jackets are popular on Amazon.

Should you decide I win, I can find time to make it an actual usuable logo, not just a design.
And here's a facebook cover.

And I really want this nerf gun!

Although this really cool pirate whistle is awesome too.

I got the Stearns Comfort Series Life Vest. Cheap, comfortable, light colored, breathable, and spacious. Everything you want. Got it on Amazon.com for $40 but its on sale for $30 now. Here it is I'd recommend it although I never wear my pfd.

Edit: look at the sizing chart that's in the comments and whip out a tape measure. Measure the biggest part of your chest and get that size. It's a small threshold for sizes so don't guess.

I've looked into this a lot (Former lifeguard, spend a ton of time on boats/water in our state) and just wanted to mention that puddle jumpers and most kids lifejackets are actually in the same class of flotation devices. Basic kids lifejackets like this are type III and are exactly as safe as a puddle jumper. They are legal for boating in most states (including mine) and are what most people think of when they think of "life jacket."

Type II lifejackets need to have the buoyant collar around the neck like this. They are absolutely safer, but are also more expensive and less common.

When paddling at night, you're supposed to have bow and stern lights. Here's a set that I got off of amazon. If you look in the reviews, you'll see pictures of people and how they have them attached to their yaks. Of course you can always visit the youtube, or even search this sub for light ideas and setups.

Edit: have a friend who uses this kind of light he likes it because he can just suction it on when he wants. He's tied a string/rope to it, and affixed it to the handle so if it loses suction he doesn't lose the light (despite it being able to float).

Carabiners & line, paddle leash, waterproof flashlight, running lights (I got these: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00ZCDD62O?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s01), a good waterproof sun hat with an underchin strap, and if he's got good glasses, he'll need the strap to keep them on

Heh......a friend of mine has the same problem. You guys might want to look into something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/M-16-Manual-Inflatable-Belt-Pack/dp/B01KUN5PRY

I was annoyed with bulky PFDs until I found one that is pretty comfy in my kayak and has tons of front pockets for gear. I find very convenient as a storage device, though I'd probably spring for an inflatable if I had a bigger boat.

Here's a link to the PFD if anybody is interested

This

Manual Inflatable Belt Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KUN5PRY/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_U7ADDbMMQJH0K

this one??

https://www.amazon.com/Stohlquist-Toddler-Jacket-Approved-Infants/dp/B071VVGCXG?th=1&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/Mudder-Boat-Navigation-Light-Green/dp/B00ZCDD62O/ref=sr_1_3?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1474581932&sr=1-3&keywords=kayak+lights

Check to see what your state's regulations are before you buy something.