Rear Facing Car Seats presented by Travis Holeha
www.skprevention.ca 2013, Saskatchewan Prevention Institute Slide 2
Rear Facing is Safest Studies show that rear facing is the safest a
child will ever be in a passenger vehicle. Infants and children
have large heads in relation to their body, and bones and muscles
are not developed like an adult. When RF, the seat supports the
head neck and spine in a collision. Many seats rear face to high
weights, some as high as 45 lbs. Best practice is to keep children
rear facing as long as they fit within the height and weight ranges
of the child restraint. Slide 3 RF vs. FF Slide 4 Never RF in Front
Seat with Airbag Slide 5 Infant Only Seats Always Rear Facing.
Comes with a base. Some can be used without base. Start at 4 or 5
lbs. Upper weight limits commonly 22 lbs., 30 lbs., or 35 lbs. All
will have height limits as well. Slide 6 All Limits in Manual Slide
7 Rear Facing Review Slide 8 Pinch Test Many seat manuals use the
pinch test for harness tightness. Slide 9 Installed Tight Less than
1 inch of movement at the belt path, using seat belt or UAS, not
both. Slide 10 Without Base Installation Slide 11 Hearing the Click
Slide 12 Handle Position Always refer to manual for handle
position. Sometimes there are reminders on car seat stickers.
Lamaze Via ForwardGraco - UprightBaby Trend - Down Slide 13 Rebound
Control Mechanisms Plastic or foam bolster Anti Rebound Bar Upright
or forward infant handle Slide 14 RF Leg Length Myth It is OK for a
childs legs to touch the seat back rear facing as long as they are
still within the weight limits for the seat. My child will be
uncomfortable: FALSE My child has an increased chance of leg injury
if his legs are too long: FALSE Children are not mini adults. They
are far more flexible and will fold legs in front or have them up
against the vehicle seat back and still be comfortable. Children
are not at an increased risk of leg injury rear facing. Slide 15
Other RF Car Seat Myths Rear Facing makes kids car sick. My child
is uncomfortable/doesnt like rear facing. Kids are happier when
they can see forward/out the window. The truth is that often
parents are looking for a technician to ease their mind about
turning kids FF. Forward facing may be more convenient for parents,
this is why they wish to turn them around. Sell them on safety, but
remember it is their choice. Slide 16 Aftermarket Products Car seat
manual example: The use of aftermarket covers, inserts, toys,
accessories, or tightening devices is not approved by Britax. Their
use could cause this infant carrier to fail Federal Safety
Standards or not perform as intended in a crash. Slide 17
Convertible/3-in-1 Seats Can rear face larger children than infant
only. Start at 5 lbs. (yet to see a 5 lb. infant fit in one). Upper
weight limits RF commonly between 30-45 lbs. Children who start
with an infant carrier should graduate to a rear facing convertible
or 3-in-1 and continue to rear face. Slide 18 Rear Facing
Installations Vehicle seat position/Seat Fit Method Angle Tight
Slide 19 Vehicle Position/Fit Slide 20 Determining a Method
Outboard UAS Only UAS all 3 Positions Slide 21 Choose a Method UAS
in vehicles newer then Sept. 1, 2002. Will be in at least 2
positions (often outboard and not in middle. Seat belt in older
vehicles, or commonly in the middle in vehicles that have UAS in
outboard positions Or Locking clip or built in lock off if seat
belt does not lock (i.e. Emergency Locking Retractor and sliding
latch plate) Slide 22 Rear Facing Angle Test with putting pressure
in the seat before tightening. Will give you a good idea if you
need to adjust. Can use footer for infant base. May need to use a
pool noodle or rolled towel to achieve correct angle. Slide 23
Tight Less then 1 Inch Movement at Belt Path Poor Leverage Good
Leverage Pull through base for good leverage These tightening
tricks will greatly improve the tightness of seats. Slide 24 Over
Kill If you show caregivers how to get proper leverage when
tightening a rear facing seat, sitting or even kneeling in the seat
is almost never necessary. Save them the bruises, show them how to
work smarter, not harder.
