LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - A viral video posted on social media has the entire country buzzing with concerns about this life-saving device.
The video, which has garnered 17 million views, is of a faulty life vest on a child.
“Looking at it with my colleagues and peers, we noticed that the life jacket was way too big for a child of that size,” Outreach Coordinator for the Injury Prevention Center at Arkansas Children’s Hospital Joe Schaffner said.
Parents everywhere are now concerned about the true safety of life jackets. How can you make sure the vest you purchase is equipped for emergency situations?
“First, weigh the child because most life jackets are by weight. And then we would fit the child appropriately. This life jacket was 0-50 pounds. Our life jackets, and typically most, will go in smaller increments like 0-20 pounds,” Schaffner added.
In the video, you can see the family did indeed weigh the little girl, and the vest is US Coast Guard Certified.
But does the jacket fit properly?
“We weighed the child and she weighs 62 pounds. We have a jacket here that's U.S. Coast Guard approved for 50 to 90 pounds, so this what we're going to fit to this child,” said Schaffner demonstrating how to properly fit a child for a life vest.
You’ll want to make sure you fit your kids according to weight and pull tight!
“It's not about just the right size, it's also about the right fit. You really want it to be tight enough where it's a little uncomfortable,” he said.
There’s a part in the video showing the child rolled over in the pool, which sparked parental concerns.
Pull your life jacket tight so that the top doesn't come above your child's nose, but they're still able to raise their hands and make a touchdown pose.
“This one is 60 to 90 pounds, U.S. Coast Guard approved. But then you have the questionable ones parents really need to question themselves about. This is called a Puddle Jumper,” said Schaffner demonstrating the correct and incorrect options for parents to pay attention to while shopping.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital also wants people to remember floaties are not replacements for life vest and should not be considered a life-saving device.
Puddle Jumpers are Coast Guard approved but are only suitable for calm waters.
