Looking for a bit of advice here, I've got a 5 year old who is very keen to fish with me more regularly this year, which has made me start thinking a little bit about his safety. he's had a couple of trips to a local commercial, and enjoyed himself, I'd really like to show him some "real" fishing this year.

While I'm pretty confident that I could easily pull him out of a shallow pond should the silly sod fall in, deeper waters, and rivers give me a little more concern. (I generally fish RMC waters which are mainly gravel pits)

does anyone know if there is availible any sort of flotation aids, either foam, or self inflating that fit young children, and are comfortable enough to wear that he'll be happy to wear it all day?

Thanks in Advance

Mat

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Mat
I went through the same sort of thoughts as you.
I got hold of two of the self inflating (crewsaver type)jackets for mine, though at the time they were a little older at 7 and 9. I am positive though that you can get one for a five year old after all ive seen them advertised for poodles.
One word of warning, do get the right size otherwise they could be dangerous.

Check out some of your local boating stores. You should find a suitable life jacket for your young one. Also check out Cabelas or Bass Pro and see if they sell a CO2 vest that won't get in the way while he's fishing and will inflate at the pull of a cord should the unthinkable happen. I would also suggest having your child take swimming lessions. My parents made me do this when I was a kid just in case I fell out of my dad'a boat while out on Lake Erie. Just a thought.

Randy

i've got a couple of kids floatation aids in the garage let me dig em out and see if they're any good

not as safe as a full lifejacket, but better than nothing.

as randy says, swimming lessons are a very good step in the right direction also

I'd probably go with the blue one. Click for details.

i've got one that might be suitable, its a helly hansen navimate, junior model, suitable for people 3 to 6 stone. no idea what size a five year old is, but if you want it, its yours, PM me your address

I started from a very young age too. 4 or 5 I was at the time , Both my parents were none swimmers, so my old fella used to tie a rope round my waist then fix it to the nearest tree or other convenient sturdy object.One day it did save my life, whilst sea fishing I slipped through some railings the only thing that saved me was the rope.
One final humorous event with the rope was whilst fishing opposite the Royal Shakespeare, on the Warwick Avon, My dad fixed me to the tree as normal giving me enough slack to reach the waters edge, Whilst fishing a group of American tourists past and photographed me on my leash, I can imagine when they got back to the states they would be telling all their friends how cruel the Brits are to their kids, as they tie them to trees on days out

[ 21. March 2005, 04:40 PM: Message edited by: Tony Coley ]

Wow - thanks for the quick replys guys,

Randy, he can already swim, sorted that out a couple of years ago, although the lifeguards at out local pool keep asking him to prove it when he wants to go on the diving boards ;-)
But swimming in a nice clean heated pool is a very different matter to cold water with a strong current, especially after a tumble down the bank too!


Newt - Thanks for that link, those shirts look ideal, and a decent price!

Mat

I know this sounds a bit crappy but as a short term measure why not tie a rope to him and that to a tree or something secure, if he did fall in at least you could haul him back with out putting yourself at risk.

Whoops just read the above.
Goes to show I should read all the thread before posting.