explain teh RSTV again?

NannyMom · Aug 22, 2011

I have one now. I tried it out on Alex (4yrs 42 pounds) today. We didn't go anywhere, I just buckled him in (and into the van). I understand that it's like a 5pt harness because it spreads the forces. What I don't understand is... He could still move around. I snugged the seatbelt, and locked the retractor, just to see (I didn't have the tether connected). And he was trying to squirm to get out. So....is it only safe if the child will sit still? Or is it still safe with him squirming?

ketchupqueen · Aug 22, 2011

Was it a new style? Because yeah, the new style doesn't have the lockoff at the top that keeps them from squirming. I hear the tether can help, I know that locking the seatbelt can (though it can make unbuckling interesting.) I no longer recommend the new-style for 3 year olds unless the tether can be used, because of this issue.

NannyMom · Aug 22, 2011

ketchupqueen said:
Was it a new style? Because yeah, the new style doesn't have the lockoff at the top that keeps them from squirming. I hear the tether can help, I know that locking the seatbelt can (though it can make unbuckling interesting.) I no longer recommend the new-style for 3 year olds unless the tether can be used, because of this issue.

yup, it's the new style. So, they would need to be booster ready to use it?

ketchupqueen · Aug 22, 2011

Well, it depends. For short trips, not booster-ready booster-ready. And if you can use the tether, sometimes not at all. It depends on the vehicle how well that works, it seems.

A little squirming, should be ok, just wiggling here and there. Enough to get extra slack into the belt, or pull out of the belt guides? Not good.

gsdguenter · Aug 22, 2011

I read and re-read those directions many times and I walked away with the understanding that you can use the top tether with the shoulder and lap belt combo. Did I misunderstand it?

I have locked the belt at the retractor and DD1 couldn't move around. Am I missing something? Because having locked it and using the top tether I think it's pretty safe for a three year old and wouldn't say they need to be booster-ready.

ketchupqueen · Aug 22, 2011

gsdguenter said:
I read and re-read those directions many times and I walked away with the understanding that you can use the top tether with the shoulder and lap belt combo. Did I misunderstand it?

I have locked the belt at the retractor and DD1 couldn't move around. Am I missing something? Because having locked it and using the top tether I think it's pretty safe for a three year old and wouldn't say they need to be booster-ready.

Yes, you can do both.

Whether they're effective in keeping a kid contained depends on the vehicle more than anything else.

gsdguenter · Aug 22, 2011

ketchupqueen said:
Yes, you can do both. Whether they're effective in keeping a kid contained depends on the vehicle more than anything else.

Whew! Maybe we should merge these two RSTV threads since they are so similar. Just a thought

For reference, I drive a '10 Hyundai Elantra and had put DD1 in the center position. It worked really well.

Brigala · Aug 22, 2011

I have the old style and it doesn't say anything about using the top tether when using a lap/shoulder belt. It has two sets of directions; one for the lap & top tether, and one for a lap & shoulder belt.

I don't think I would use it with the lap/shoulder belt for a child who wasn't booster ready.

Where in the directions does it give the impression you can use the lap/shoulder belt and the top tether? Because that's definitely not the impression I had. Or is this part of the new style thing?

ketchupqueen · Aug 22, 2011

Brigala said:
I have the old style and it doesn't say anything about using the top tether when using a lap/shoulder belt. It has two sets of directions; one for the lap & top tether, and one for a lap & shoulder belt.

I don't think I would use it with the lap/shoulder belt for a child who wasn't booster ready.

Where in the directions does it give the impression you can use the lap/shoulder belt and the top tether? Because that's definitely not the impression I had. Or is this part of the new style thing?

It doesn't say it, but many of us have been told that directly by the company.

You can contact them yourself. The directions are quite contradictory in several places and poorly written/translated. But the company has stated many times that yes, you can use the tether with a lap/shoulder belt, that the lap/shoulder may be used for any child in the limits of the vest, and that the crotch strap is optional.

I have no problem using the old-style vest with lap/shoulder belt for either my 3 or 5 year olds, neither of whom is booster ready, with or without the tether. They have both fallen asleep in the vest and stayed in position due to the shoulder belt lockoff.

explain teh RSTV again?

NannyMom

Well-known member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

NannyMom

Well-known member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

gsdguenter

Well-known member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

gsdguenter

Well-known member

Brigala

CPST Instructor

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

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