| The law in many states, is that all children should wear a PFD on small open boats underway. It might be prudent not to take small infants on such boats until they are of a size that they can wear an appropriate PFD. An adult, with a PFD on ready to assist immediately should be also on aboard... there may not be time in an emergency for an adult to get and put on a PFD while taking care of an infant.
There used to be a device called BABY BUOY which was like a child safety seat, but with flotation. It had Coast Guard approval but the manufacturer discontinued it over 10 years ago. There were very few made, so they would be difficult to find. They were also heavy (60 lb or so) and expensive (around $200). These factors probably led to the product's demise. One other manufacturer made a similar product a number of years before BABY BUOY.
There are a number of vest-type PFDs approved for infants. Nevertheless, they may not be suitable for very small infants. The following is a list of some infant-sized approved devices. If you select one of these, we strongly recommend that you try it on the child in a pool before you go boating. Because of their varying body types, it can be difficult to make a PFD that is satisfactory for all infants. The child 's temperament and comfort in the water are also factors. Some children relax to float face up. Here is the list:
- Ero Industries Inc., 308 South Williams St, P.O. Box 755,
Hazlehurst, GA 31539
- Wellington Leisure Products Inc., 1140 Monticello Hwy, P.O.
Box 244, Madison, GA 30650.
- Kent Sporting Goods Co., 433 Park Avenue S, State Route 60,
New London, OH 44851
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