Booster question

fyrfightermomma

New member
I admit to not knowing a huge amount about boosters but have been getting more and more booster questions lately from my mom board and friends.

So some questions:
You want a high back booster if you don't have side airbags right?
A no back is ok if you have side airbags?
Does anyone here even have a no back booster? I just don't see them talked about much

With three across (2 convertibles and a booster) where would you place the booster child and should that be a high back as well? (it's a 4 door Geo Prism)

Thanks!
 
ADS

crunchierthanthou

New member
So some questions:
You want a high back booster if you don't have side airbags right?
A no back is ok if you have side airbags?
Does anyone here even have a no back booster? I just don't see them talked about much
I've not seen much discussion on high back vs no back in relation to side curtain airbags. However, you need to be sure to use a high back if the vehicle has low seatbacks and no headrests. The seatback needs to be at least as high as the child's eye level (about to the tops of the ears like a harnessed seat shell).

there's also this study that talks about the benefits of a HBB in side impact crashes.

basically, I'd prefer to only use a no back with a child who is too tall for the belt guide on a HBB and in a vehicle with adequate head support. That's not to say backless boosters are necessarily unsafe- and they do have a use in tight 3 across situations and are handy for carpools and such. It's just that high backs provide better protection in the most dangerous types of crashes. Also, if it's a situation where the child is currently only in the vehicle seatbelt and the parent isn't willing to spend more than the $15-$20 for a backless, I wouldn't push it.

With three across (2 convertibles and a booster) where would you place the booster child and should that be a high back as well? (it's a 4 door Geo Prism)

It depends on where they have lap/shoulder belts. I'm guessing if it's a Geo, it only has a lapbelt in the middle. If so, the Booster would have to be outboard. If they do happen to have a l/s in the middle I'd put the booster there, provided they can reach to buckle the seatbelt and the seats puzzle well. Do you know which convertibles it will be?
 
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christineka

New member
I'd also put the booster on the side with only one buckle. That way the child can't accidentally unbuckle a car seat.
 

Defrost

Moderator - CPSTI Emeritus
Both Sam and Fighter ride in backless boosters - Sam always does, Fighter has one for Dad's car. Fighter technically could still fit in his booster (Air) with the back on it, but it's a PITA to buckle, and I'm comfortable with him in a backless.

The other benefit of a HBB over backless is that they tend to position the shoulder belt better in some seating positions.
 

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