Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest
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Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest

SKU: STRFHUV

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Questions & Answers

B S : Would a child still be able to put their head in the water for snorkelling?Steve S : Yes, but with a bit of effort. This Vest is made to keep the head up. You amy want to consider a snorkeling vest instead. Something like this: <a href="http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aknvsj/akona-jr-snorkel-vest-neon-orange-aksv114" target="_blank">http://www.leisurepro.com/p-aknvsj/akona-jr-snorkel-vest-neon-orange-aksv114</a> HAROLD O : My vests are the smallest size and are used by 2 year old children. I would tend to agree with Matthew W's answer but that depends on the size of the children.DAVID S : This is a Type II PFD, which the PDFMA says "many will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water". You want that in a PFD, and this one does a good job of it with my kid. As a very strong swimmer, she can overcome the uprighting to swim forward, but not enough to snorkel. (most people backstroke in a PFD) A Type III "for use in calm water where there is good chance of fast rescue since they will generally not turn an unconscious person face-up" might allow snorkeling, but is not a substitute for good swimming skills. If a little extra buoyancy is all that's needed, a wetsuit and/or pool noodles could work in a CLOSELY SUPERVISED situation.MATTHEW W : I can't say with 100% certainty but I would say yes, a child could probably snorkel with this pfd on. Since the cushion on the back is actually a flap (its attached on the top edge only) when going face down in the water its going to pop up. It may be a little tricky but my little ones don't seem to have much trouble swimming on there stomachs with them on. Now, if you come to a stand still the pfd might have a tendency to right them face up if they don't continue to tread water but I think it will work. On a different note: these pfd's are very nice quality, they have a cover over the crotch strap to prevent the shaffing on my little girl that bare nylon straps tend to do a number on the inside of her legs and the neon green is awesome since not a lot if any pfd's are that color so they really stand out in a crowd. You'll be pleased.Danielle C : Yes they should have no problem snorkeling. It is like any other like vest, with an added head rest. Your child can float on their back without having to hold their head up or strain their neck. When on their stomach they can float and move like any other life vest.
MARIE C : What are the weight ranges for child and youth sizes?DAVID S : Youth size is labelled: 50-90 lbs (23-41kg), chest size 26-29 inches (66-74cm) Infant and child versions were 0-30lbs and 30-50lbs respectively. (sorry, but I can't remember chest sizes - we've grown through them in the past 10 years but I doubt the ratings have changed from what you would get today.) All three have the crotch strap, which really helps keep it on the kid. Buy the size that fits the kid today and upgrade later - if you go large they won't be able to maneuver.HAROLD O : I only have a child vest. The weight is 30 to 50 poundsJUNE H : It will be: Infant: Less than 30 lbs.,Child: 30-50 lbs.,Youth: 50-90 lbs.REBECCA R : The child size is 30-50lbs. I bought it last year for my then 3 1/2 year old child.
Julie T : Does this item come in other colors?YAN G : We do not have this item in a different color.HAROLD O : I do not believe it comes in any other colors. If you do order the vest in the child size there may be a sticker on the shoulder that says something about youth size. We were confused by this as we had ordered child size. We checked inside the vest to be sure ours were child size. The size printed on the inside was "child".
Shopper : Is it USCGA type I II or III? Says "heads up" and "USCGA" but never specifically gives you type.MIYUKI S : USCG Approved Type II
Terri H : My son's chest measures 28 inches, but he is only 12 inches from shoulder to hips. Will this vest be too long for him?YAN G : There are three different sizes, depending on weight. Not sure about the height dimensions. Try it out and see if it works, otherwise it can be returned within 60 days as long as you don't put it in the water.

Reviews about this item

Review Summary

2017-06-03T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Best vest we have on our boat for the grandkids

It is really good, very light weight, and has a floatation behind the head as required for children under the age of 6. It dries quickly and is comfortable.

Hope C.

2015-08-30T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

only one i found....

fast

Tracy p.

2013-08-12T20:00:00

Rated 5 out of 5

Safest life jacket ever and kid approved

I bought this life jacket for my 10 year old daughter who is about 80 lbs. She is tall and skinny for her age and we needed a good Type II life jacket for a trip to Michigan so she could ride the jet skis. Their state law says, "Each person less than 12 years of age riding or being towed, behind a personal watercraft (jet ski) must wear a Type I or Type II PFD." There are not a lot of Type II life jackets for kids weighing 50-90 lbs. There are the orange horse collar ones but they are a bit uncomfortable after a while and not great for the back of a jet ski. She has her Extrasport Children's Type II PFD which she could wear but I wanted to try and get her something new and possibly a little more comfortable. The life jacket, as seen by the pictures, is mostly bright green on the outside. I was afraid that it would not be a bright enough color, but even from the dock I was able to spot her swimming in the water without difficulty. There is a slim silver strip of reflective material on either side of the vest as well. The inside is a smooth nylon with four drainage holes at the bottom. There are five sections of foam, two in the front and three at the head. The foam is in layers which allow for the foam to move and conform to the body making it more comfortable for her and safer too. The front foam pieces have less material at the shoulders to give a better fit. There is no foam in the back, just nylon. There is a zipper in the front, two waist belts that can be adjusted for snugness and a crotch strap with a neoprene rash guard, also adjustable. That was a great extra feature since I insist my daughter uses the crotch strap to ensure she does not slip out of the vest while going at high speeds. She never once complained about it and wore it all the time even when just swimming in the lake. Finally, there is a grab loop at the top which makes for a nice hook as well as a way to grab your kids out of the water if needed. The life jacket was easy enough for her to put on herself. The buckles are a little harder for her to unsnap then previous lifejackets she has worn, but work just as well. My daughter normally wears a youth size Mustang Lil' Legends life jacket so she is used to most features of this life jacket. She tried it on in pool before we left for the trip and absolutely loved it. I had her jump in the pool and if she relaxed, the life jacket would place her on her back with her head and mouth well above the water thanks to the head flotation. I also had her flip on her stomach and relax, a few seconds later the life jacket turned her to her back with her face out of the water. She seemed very comfortable and happy swimming in the life jacket. Sometimes, the waist strap on the Mustang Lil' Legends life jacket would ride up and rub near her armpit. She doesn't have that problem with this life jacket. I only wish I had bought this life jacket for her earlier in the season. But we may be able to get one more year out of it. Her only complaint is that it didn't come in hot pink. Oh well, maybe next year's model.

Protective F.

Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest Specifications

  • Materials

    Shell: 400-D Nylon and Polyester, Floatation: PE Foam

  • Closure

    Adjustable Webbed Buckled Straps w/"Squeeze-Style" Side Release Buckle, Front Zipper

  • Weight Class

    50 lbs. to 90 lbs. (22.7 kg to 40.8 kg)

  • Crotch Strap

    Yes

  • Size

    2-Sizes: Child, Youth

  • Coast Guard Approved

    Yes

  • UPC Code

    076501084726

Stearns Infant/Child/Youth Flotation Vest Size Chart
  Infant Child Youth
Weight (lbs) less than 30 30-50 50-90

About Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest

FEATURED REVIEWS

Safest life jacket ever and kid approved

By Protective F.

I bought this life jacket for my 10 year old daughter who is about 80 lbs. She is tall and skinny for her age and we needed a good Type II life jacket for a trip to Michigan so she could ride the jet skis. Their state law says, "Each person less than 12 years of age riding or being towed, behind a personal watercraft (jet ski) must wear a Type I or Type II PFD." There are not a lot of Type II life jackets for kids weighing 50-90 lbs. There are the orange horse collar ones but they are a b...

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Best vest we have on our boat for the grandkids

By Hope C.

It is really good, very light weight, and has a floatation behind the head as required for children under the age of 6. It dries quickly and is comfortable.

Stearns Heads-Up Life Vests are designed to just that, keep your head up if you end up in the water. These US Coast Guard Approved Vests have a durable 400-D nylon shell and PE foam for flotation. The split foam had support will keep a tired individual comfortable while in the water. The vests have reflective trim for high visibility in low light conditions or at night.

Vest has a comfortable polyester liner with a Hydroprene neck and arms. The vests are also equipped with a Hydroprene covered crotch strap for additional comfort while in the water. The Heads-Up Vest has 3 adjustable nylon webbing straps with squeeze" style quick release buckles. Two straps are for the waist and the third is the crotch strap. The vest is also equipped with a full front zipper closure. The Heads-Up Vest is available in 2 sizes: child for weight class 30 lbs. to 50 lbs. (13.6 kg to 22.7 kg) and youth for weight class 50 lbs. to 90 lbs. (22.7 kg to 40.8 kg). All vests have a collar grab strap.

Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest Features

  • Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest
  • Coast Guard Approved
  • Durable 400D Nylon Shell
  • PE Flotation Foam
  • Reflective Trim High Visibility
  • Split Foam Head Support
  • Comfortable Polyester Liner with Hydroprene Neck and Arms
  • Hydroprene Crotch Strap Cover
  • 3 Adjustable Straps with Quick Release Buckles
  • Full Front Zipper
  • 2 Sizes to Choose by Weight
  • Child and Youth

Warranty Information

This product has a limited warranty of 12 months.

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Key Features

  • US Coast Guard-approved vest
  • Durable 200D nylon shell
  • PE flotation foam
  • High-visibility reflection trim
  • Comfortable polyester liner

What's in the box:

  • Stearns Flotation Heads-Up Vest