Question Hypothetically....

Mirandagrate

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #1

So... if someone were hypothetically thinking of buying a carseat from an overseas country and that carseat didn't have a 5-point harness, could one hypothetically purchase a chest clip from that same company in the states and then thread it onto the seat with the 3-point harness? Hypothetically speaking, that is.....

 

A

ajanes

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #2

Hypothetically, I have no idea I'll let a tech weigh in on that. But, I thought the chest clip didn't have anything to do with making a seat 5 point. I thought for the most part chest clips were added in the US but not really necessary from a safety standpoint. I thought the five points- are 2 shoulders, 2 thigh/hips & 1 crotch. Am I wrong?

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #3

ajanes said:

Hypothetically, I have no idea I'll let a tech weigh in on that. But, I thought the chest clip didn't have anything to do with making a seat 5 point. I thought for the most part chest clips were added in the US but not really necessary from a safety standpoint. I thought the five points- are 2 shoulders, 2 thigh/hips & 1 crotch. Am I wrong?

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You are correct. A 5 point harness has 2 points at the hips, a 3 point does not. 3 points are not as safe (not safe at all forward-facing), a chest clip won't make it a 5 point, and is there a reason you can't use one from your own country?

 

M

Maedze

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #4

A chest clip does not make a three point harness a five point harness.

 

Mirandagrate

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #5

Thanks for the replies! I have a lot to learn still I guess! Now thinking about it, it makes sense. So, the chest clip doesn't really make it any safer?

 

Mirandagrate

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #6

Ok, now looking at pictures again, I get it where you say that the 5 point is the hips, crotch and shoulders. Thanks again!

 

M

Maedze

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #7

No. A chest clip is not a crash device. It is merely to accomodate for the fact that very few American parents tighten the harness correctly, increasing the chance that it will be out of position in a crash. The chest clip somewhat aligns the harness in the correct position so that the child at least is less likely to be ejected.

If the harness is properly adjusted and tightened, the chest clip is irrelevant.

 

BW1426

Well-known member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #8

Mirandagrate said:

Ok, now looking at pictures again, I get it where you say that the 5 point is the hips, crotch and shoulders. Thanks again!

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What was the hypothetical seat in question?

 

bobandjess99

Senior Community Member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #9

BW1426 said:

What was the hypothetical seat in question?

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I'm thinking it wasn't really a 3-pt seat, it was a 5-pt with no chest clip, and the op just didn't realize the chest clip does not constitute any of the 5 points, therefore she thought it was a 3 point seat. Probably one of the swedish ERF seats. But that's just my guess.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jul 6, 2009

• #10

Also, those hypothetical car seats, have straps that are too wide for a chest clip.

 

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Staff member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #11

Judi said:

Also, those hypothetical car seats, have straps that are too wide for a chest clip.

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Hasn't AD said that in Sweden, they sell chest clips as an aftermarket accessory, for parents whose kids are escaping without one?

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jul 6, 2009

• #12

Hmmm, not sure. They have to be different than ours. Will go find my pic.



ETA:

I guess it could go really low.

 

Laurette

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #13

Judi, are those strap covers? Are they removeable? Just curious.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jul 6, 2009

• #14

No, not removable.

 

H

HEVY

New member

• Jul 6, 2009

• #15

Are those strap covers the reason they stay put? I thought I read that they are some type of material that kind of "sticks" to the clothing? They look comfy.

 

Judi

CPST/Firefighter

• Jul 6, 2009

• #16

They are kinda stiff, really.

 

finn

New member

• Jul 7, 2009

• #17

just to add my :twocents: the strap covers are removable

 

Mirandagrate

New member

• Jul 7, 2009

• #18

bobandjess99 said:

I'm thinking it wasn't really a 3-pt seat, it was a 5-pt with no chest clip, and the op just didn't realize the chest clip does not constitute any of the 5 points, therefore she thought it was a 3 point seat. Probably one of the swedish ERF seats. But that's just my guess.

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This.... I'm still learning

 

A

Austins-mama

New member

• Jul 7, 2009

• #19

when we lived in the UK we had a british seat. I couldn't even tell you which one now - it was a cheap convertable back up to go in the british car. We did buy a chest clip as an aftermarket product because even with the harness properly tightened he could escape.

 

twinsmom

New member

• Jul 7, 2009

• #20

ketchupqueen said:

Hasn't AD said that in Sweden, they sell chest clips as an aftermarket accessory, for parents whose kids are escaping without one?

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Yes, AD has said that this is true. The way straps fit though, I really don't think it's necessary.