Tech oppinioms please? MA manual clarification?

Mommy2Five · Jul 30, 2008

Tech oppinions please? MA manual clarification?

So, my new MA manual says on page 30 :

"IMPORTANT: Once the top slots become necessary, the child may continue to use the restraint until the tops of the ears become level with the top of the restraint shell or childs weight exceeds 65 pounds (29.5 kg)."

Does this mean that Britax allows shoulders to go over the top slots the way that SSK does?
I had my reservations when hearing it come from SSK (newer company, not always reliable info etc..), but if Britax is allowing it too, does this mean spinal compression is not as big a worry as we might have thought?

Any opinions/thoughts/insights?

snowbird25ca · Jul 30, 2008

When you call Britax and ask them about this, they indicate that the shoulders must be below the top slots - at least based on what others have shared when it's been posted about in the past. I've never actually talked to them about it myself. :thumbsup:

Ahzryn · Jul 30, 2008

From the wording of the manual, that's what it means to me too, BUT when I called Britax they were adamant that the shoulders must be at or below the top slots. I specifically asked if the child is under 65 pounds, and the ears are well below the top of the shell, but the shoulders are above the top slots, is the seat outgrown, and their answer was YES.

Keep in mind it's not only spinal compression, it's head excursion as well. Straps below the shoulders ff will allow increased head excursion. In the Radian, which does so well on head excursion numbers, that is not an issue. In the MA, it very well could be, especially if the seat is not tethered in a lap belt only situation.

In my case, I waited until the slots were clearly below in a lap/shoulder installation top tethered, and then moved to a new seat with my girls in their Wizards/Marathons.