Kids floatation - Ice suits or inflate on contact life vest

[Jeremyc_1999]

My two fishing partners are my 3 year old and 5 year old sons.  They do pretty good on the ice, but I recently went fishing with someone who fell through an ice hole that was cut and unmarked when he was walking out in the dark.  Luckily he was safe, but it got me thinking if that would have happened to one of my boys it would be a pretty bad day.   I have looked at the Eskimo ice suits but they are for older kids and way too big for my boys so I was thinking about maybe an inflate on contact life vest for them to wear.  They do have summer life vests, but are quite bulky over winter coats.  Anyone have any experience with keeping young kids safe on the ice? I like to take them out a lot of afternoons after work and fish this same lake and don't think I could live with myself if something happened .

[eltigraska]

There isn't much available that I have seen, we're in the same boat. We bought the Striker youth Predator bib when it was on sale awhile back, but the smallest size (6) is still a bit big for our 5 year old, looks like its about the same size as the Eskimo suits. Ultimately we just make sure they stay real close to us as we're walking out (and don't walk out in the dark), set boundaries on where they can go on the ice, and try to cover unused holes.  Luckily for us, where we fish there are very rarely holes larger than a 10" auger hole.  I've also gotten to the point where its more about making sure they have a good time rather than catching fish (call it an investment) and we try to avoid where there are any holes at all other than our own as much as possible. I'm very interested to see what others have to offer.  I'm sure there just aren't that many people taking their toddlers out ice fishing so it doesn't make much sense for the manufacturers to make stuff that small.

[thomasthepikehunter]

I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure most if not all inflatables become unreliable below freezing. That is straight from the manufacturer.

[eltigraska]

Also from what I've seen they don't make the contract inflatables for kids

[CrappiePerchDude]

United States Coast Guard children and PFD selection

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/CG-ENG-4/PFDSel/

http://cgmix.uscg.mil/Equipment/EquipmentSearch.aspx

[meandcuznalfy]

When my kids were that young, I pulled them out on the sled and didn't let them run around on the ice, tough to keep them dry, step in a unfroze hole and legs and foot is wet.

[CoachWalleye74]

I used a small life jacket for my son. 

[GBguy]

Might be more comfortable to wear a regular pfd under their winter coat instead of on top of it.

[krispcritter]

Safety has no price tag, but I personally would get regular PFD's. Kids grow so fast that you could replace the vest every year for 6 years cheaper then a float suit that they may outgrow in a season or two.

[Jeremyc_1999]

Thanks for the replies.  I do have regular PFDs that I have had them wearing since I heard about the large hole cut in this particular lake, they are just cumbersome and I want ice fishing to be the most fun experience for them.  I may also suck it up and let them ride the sled with all the gear while I pull it, although that means I need to get in better shape.  I appreciate all the ideas and look forward to hearing more of them.

[fishchef]

Safety has no price tag, but I personally would get regular PFD's. Kids grow so fast that you could replace the vest every year for 6 years cheaper then a float suit that they may outgrow in a season or two.

Agree with above.  Here's some options (on sale too).  I used to wear a water skier's vest under my coat prior to a Striker setup:

https://www.rei.com/c/kids-pfds

[eltigraska]

Striker just posted this: https://strikerbrands.com/blogs/si/embracing-winter-a-complete-guide-to-ice-fishing-with-kids?_kx=zOWhrZEihe9GhIDI-PqQm8KZhULYQMeDVcMGHupKcNY%3D.U4cWUP

[Jeremyc_1999]

Striker just posted this: https://strikerbrands.com/blogs/si/embracing-winter-a-complete-guide-to-ice-fishing-with-kids?_kx=zOWhrZEihe9GhIDI-PqQm8KZhULYQMeDVcMGHupKcNY%3D.U4cWUP

All good tips for sure but doesn’t address ice safety and I’m pretty sure my 3 year old won’t fit in a size 6 set. Looks like there summer off is the option

[lowaccord66]

When my kids were that young, I pulled them out on the sled and didn't let them run around on the ice, tough to keep them dry, step in a unfroze hole and legs and foot is wet.

Thats what I did as well.  Find a clean slab of ice to fish on without old holes too.  The min ice thickness I go on compared to with them is different as well.  They arent going to enjoy the sport ever with getting wet in the earlier years.

[filetandrelease]

Thats what I did as well.  Find a clean slab of ice to fish on without old holes too.  The min ice thickness I go on compared to with them is different as well.  They arent going to enjoy the sport ever with getting wet in the earlier years.

I did the same thing , I would set markers out after I inspected a small area around the hut so when they got bored they could play

[MumbleSEED]

I agree with the idea unless they are old enough the life vest is probably the best choice unless you can find a site that exchanges those youth float suits every season until they stop growing.

Definitely spud around the area and try to set some boundaries, but I agree they aren't going on ice unless it is pretty thick.  I practiced some ice safety with my kiddos how to pull themselves on the ice with ice picks in case of an emergency.  You never know. 

Have fun out there and catch a few if you can it will be even more fun.  Bring some treats! Good luck stay safe.

[eltigraska]

Found this (and a few similar): https://www.amazon.com/Eyson-Inflatable-Jacket-Classic-Automatic/dp/B07XQDCSXF/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=kids%27%2Binflatable%2Blife%2Bvest&sr=8-2&th=1

NO idea how it would fit 3-5 year olds. It says universal fit under 170 lbs, but also 19-32" chest

[OhhDam]

I’m with you man, a few years ago mine were that age. Couldn’t find anything that made me feel like they were accident proof. Ultimately decided they had to be 5 y.o. To go and ice had to be no less than 5”… painful for them cause I’d go and they’d want to go too. Now at 9 n 6 they have striker jackets which should be enough even without bibs.
The young one went knee deep one leg in a whole last year. Scary feeling. Fortunately only a 6” hole and would never fit, but you really start sweating knowing some dudes cut 8s n you start thinking the what ifs.

[meandcuznalfy]

I’m with you man, a few years ago mine were that age. Couldn’t find anything that made me feel like they were accident proof. Ultimately decided they had to be 5 y.o. To go and ice had to be no less than 5”… painful for them cause I’d go and they’d want to go too. Now at 9 n 6 they have striker jackets which should be enough even without bibs.
The young one went knee deep one leg in a whole last year. Scary feeling. Fortunately only a 6” hole and would never fit, but you really start sweating knowing some dudes cut 8s n you start thinking the what ifs.

Yep, had that happen with mine one night, 8" holes are bad,but some like 10" and a kid will fit in one of them easy enough. If you get enough snow to insulate open holes won't refreeze and be a booby trap. Went in one of those myself.

[lowaccord66]

I wouldnt use auto inflators on my kids.  Coast guard says they are a no go in the boat until they are older than 16.  There's probably a good reason for that.

[filetandrelease]

 http://
We DO NOT recommend wearing inflatable life jackets for ice fishing or on open water when the temperatures are below 40°F (4°C). Oral inflation may be required in addition to manual inflation if chamber is not firm due to cold temperatures at or below 40°F (4°C).

[eltigraska]

I started into a defense of the inflatables but the more i dig into it, the more i'm feeling they're likely pretty useless for this application.   Wearing one probably wouldn't make any situation worse, but likely wouldn't be much better than doing nothing.  The one thing I saw with cold temperatures is you can do some preinflation to counter-act the slow response of the CO2, but a slow response after through ice wouldn't do much for you..  Maybe could preinflate more but at a certain point might as well just use a standard life jacket.

[filetandrelease]

 Just use a type 3 and be done with it

[wyogator]

Just use a type 3 and be done with it

This: My son always wore a Stearns Spider-Man type 3 under his ski jacket.