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Stearns Child Life Jacket with Heads-Up Flotation

Curated from 92 real Reddit conversations

Refreshed on: March 10, 2025

Stearns Child Life Jacket with Heads-Up Flotation

Brand: Stearns

Price: $46

Snoop Score:

5.4

Sentiment

7.5

Popularity

3.3

Technical

4.8

Buy on Amazon for $46 See All Lifejackets Reviews

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Snoop's Take

The Stearns Child Life Jacket with Heads-Up Flotation is a USCG approved Type II life vest designed specifically for children weighing between 30-50 pounds. This innovative life jacket ensures safety and comfort, promoting face-up flotation for young swimmers, making it ideal for various water activities such as pool outings, beach days, and boating adventures. Consumer feedback highlights the importance of safety with many praising its USCG approval. One parent remarked, “His swim teacher said a USCG approved life jacket is a must,” emphasizing the credibility of this jacket. However, some concerns were raised about its fit, with one user noting that if it doesn't snug down properly, “it is too large and should NOT be used.” Despite these concerns, the overall sentiment leans towards the effectiveness and necessity of the life jacket for water safety. Considering the positive feedback regarding safety and usability, along with the caution regarding fit, the Stearns Child Life Jacket is highly recommended for parents seeking a reliable flotation device for their children in water activities.

Not for you? Check out our other rated Lifejackets

His swim teacher said a USCG approved life jacket is a must.
Positive Feedback

otherwise it can give a false sense of confidence.
Negative Feedback

5.4

Stearns Child Life Jacket with Heads-Up Flotation

Buy on Amazon for $46

Boating and Water Sports

5 / 10

Recreational Swimming

5 / 10

Active Outdoor Adventures

5 / 10

Children's Water Safety

10 / 10

See how this compares to all Lifejackets

What it does well!

Key strengths users can’t stop talking about.

USCG Approved for safety

“His swim teacher said a USCG approved life jacket is a must.”➕

“It’s USCG approved and is the only one we tried that he literally can wear all day and never once complain about.”➕

“We are preparing for a trip to the ocean, and take water safety very seriously.”➕

“the water safety instructor told me always go by weight and make sure it’s coast guard approved.”➕

Where it needs some work!

Areas to watch—feedback on possible improvements.

Can create a false sense of confidence

“otherwise it can give a false sense of confidence.”➕

“it probably creates a false sense of security for parents for a leading death risk for kids.”➕

Can be too large for some kids

“If there's no way to snug down the 30-50lb pfd any more than still being able to get your arm in there then it is too large and should NOT be used.”➕

Compare On All Talked About Dimensions

Product Name	Price	Score	See Details	Buy Now
AIRHEAD Women’s Trend Life Jacket	$39	9.8	Details	Buy
Onyx General Purpose Life Vest, Adult Universal 4-Pack	$69	9.3	Details	Buy
ONYX Kayak Fishing Life Jacket, Universal, Tan	$74	9.3	Details	Buy
Stohlquist FIT Adult Life Jacket	$34	8.4	Details	Buy
AIRHEAD Children's General Purpose Life Jacket	$19	8.0	Details	Buy
O'Brien Men's Flex V-Back Life Jacket	$58	7.9	Details	Buy
AIRHEAD Adult Type II Life Jacket	$9	7.2	Details	Buy
O'Neill Men's Superlite USCG Life Vest	$46	6.8	Details	Buy
Stearns Adult Classic Series Life Vest	$34	6.7	Details	Buy
SPORTSTUFF Stars and Stripes Life Jacket	$30	6.7	Details	Buy
STEARNS Kids Classic Life Vest	$30	6.6	Details	Buy
Oceans 7 US Coast Guard Approved Life Jacket Vest	$29	5.8	Details	Buy
Onyx A/M-24 Inflatable Life Jacket	$102	5.6	Details	Buy
Stearns Child Life Jacket with Heads-Up Flotation	$46	5.4	Details	Buy
BLUESTORM Stratus 35 Inflatable Life Jacket PFD for Adults	$139	4.3	Details	Buy
Eyson Inflatable Life Jacket Life Vest Manual	$59	3.8	Details	Buy
Hardcore Water Sports Hardcore Life Jacket Paddle Vest	$29	3.6	Details	Buy
SEACHOICE Seachoice Life Vest, Type II Personal Flotation Device	$48	3.4	Details	Buy
AIRHEAD General All Purpose Life Jacket	$24	3.1	Details	Buy
SwimWays Marvel Swim Trainer Life Jacket	$19	3.0	Details	Buy
O'Brien Women's Impulse Neo Life Vest	$75	2.8	Details	Buy
Chriffer Kids Swim Vest Life Jacket	$23	0.7	Details	Buy

Buyer’s Cheat Sheet

What to check before you click ‘Add to Cart.’

Comparison to other brands

“You need the real thing, like you would use on a boat.”➕

“The real life jackets are definitely a big step up.”➕

“We use this one.”➕

Need for trying on PFDs due to fit and comfort

“Don't get suckered into their Greenjacket unless you actually have rescue training and put it to use regularly.”➕

“I agree with the comments below that you actually try some on if possible.”➕

“Owner Makes Lifejacket For Pet Fish Called Einstein Who Can't Swim.”➕

“In the youth life jacket, the shoulders come up above her ears when in the water and if she were to raise her arms up in the water she would slide right out.”➕

Discussion about different brands and models of PFDs

“Kokatat, Salus and NRS all have a plethora of PFDs that are specific to paddling and are lightweight”➕

“I am so happy I decided to go with Astral in the end.”➕

“Lifejacket For Pet Fish Who Can’t Swim”➕

Discussion on swim lessons and affordability

“I'll stick with the life jackets for my kids.”➕

“It's less 'swimming lessons' and more 'how not to drown lessons' but I live in Florida so it's a more necessary skill than in other drier places lol.”➕

“Swim school is too expensive and the city has two months of swim lessons open but only like 24 spots for the entire summer.”➕

“The only problem is the availability and they fill up fast.”➕

Importance of swim lessons

“A life jacket is the safest option and should always be worn around open bodies of water (lakes and oceans) regardless of a child’s ability to swim.”➕

“He improved so much, relaxes more and tries to get to the side to pull himself out.”➕

“Is this a personal belief/anecdote or do you know of evidence for benefits of lessons prior to 3?”➕

“They knew if they got in, it was sink or swim.”➕

Discussion about when to use life jackets

“I found this out after my toddler had been using hers for around a year 🤣”➕

Discussion about fitting and sizing of PFDs

“This is very informative, knowing the terminology of what to shop for is most of the battle.”➕

Difficulty finding suitable life jackets for smaller children

“I am having the most difficult time finding a life jacket or pool floaty for my 2.5 year old.”➕

“It seems the only option is the life jacket but infant sizes all have that big head part.”➕

Comparison of different types of floatation devices

“Speedo infant life vest is coast guard rated for up to 30 lbs.”➕

“A life jacket has worked so much better for her but to your point the Speedo one she has starts at 30 lbs.”➕

“He loved it right off the bat and now wears it at any pool or at the beach.”➕

Discussion about child safety laws regarding life jackets

“**every child under age 13 must wear a life jacket at all times while on a moving vessel of any length**.”➕

“where is that baby's life jacket?!? And why isn't she wearing a hat?!?.”➕

“the kids should be in life vests.”➕

“I cannot believe Lili isn't wearing a life jacket, as well as Harry.”➕

Emphasis on parental responsibility regarding water safety

“a careful parent would have her in a life jacket.”➕

“It’s too cold out on the water right now to be dressed like that.”➕

“you never know what can happen.”➕

Importance of enforcing safety rules for children

“I NEED her to wear the life jacket and I'm uncomfortable not having one on her.”➕

“No life jacket, no go.”➕

“If we don’t go because you refuse to wear a life jacket, then you can stay home and be bored.”➕

“This is a privilege not a right.”➕

Cautionary Callouts

Know the pitfalls before they catch you off guard.

Parents emphasize importance of adult supervision

“I’m seeing all these posts from July 4th and all these pictures of videos of parents in deck chairs while toddlers are in the pool alone because they have floaties on and it’s making my heart race.”➕

“That seems insane to me to have a non-swimming child in a pool without an adult directly by them, even with flotation devices.”➕

“I would absolutely never put my small child in a pool alone / only w other kids with just a puddle Jumper.”➕

“I am never ever out of arms reach from her, and never take my eyes off of her.”➕

Concerns about floaties creating false sense of security

“Floaties are a toy. They are not life saving.”➕

“not every parent was taught water safety so they might not know about the water wings or swim vests creating a false sense of security for their littles.”➕

Concerns about flotation devices creating false sense of security

“They NEED proper flotation on their chest AND under their head in order to safely prevent this.”➕

“Forces the parents to be on their toes.”➕

“I've never let him out of arms reach in a pool ever since.”➕

“I could not push my head back, I could not pull my head down.”➕

Discussion about different types of life jackets

“I'm leaning toward Type 1 jackets because they will keep them face up in the water, but I can imagine it would be uncomfortable to wear while enroute.”➕

“Don't have specific advice other than our Sea Tow here offers free use of kids PFDs so you could try them and see.”➕

“I think you're right, a Type 1 is the way to go, because it will turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.”➕

Discussion about floaties vs life jackets

“Get the vest type. Leaves the arms and legs free to splash and kick.”➕

Concerns about the importance of life jackets for children

“Yes, a responsible parent puts a life vest on their child when out on the water.”➕

“Absolutely insane in this day and age, they arent even that expensive and in most places boats are required to have them if taking on passengers.”➕

“It doesn’t matter where it is. Safety first.”➕

“Seeing a very small child with no life jacket on a boat makes me anxious.”➕