anything like c.a.r.e.s for the car?

[Just1More]

We are flying soon, and I was looking into how to deal with everyone's carseats.  (We will have 5 children, 7 and under).

I found the c.a.r.e.s restraint, and it looks pretty good.  Why can't this be used in a vehicle (provided the vehicle had a seat back to wrap the top around? 

I know about the safe rider vests, is there anything else?  I'm just so dreading hauling our current 2 radians, baby bucket, scenera convertible, and a booster through the airport...

[Maedze]

The CARES harness has not been approved or tested with a vehicle crash and is not an FMVSS 213 approved restraint device.  It would be illegal to use it as a car seat.  

It also does not position the lap belt correctly on anyone, leaving the rider open to huge abdominal injuries.  For children over 3 years of age, the Ride Safer Travel Vest is a great solution for travel (car only, not for use with a lap belt only or on a plan).  For kids under three, you need a traditional child restraint. 

[Eclipsepearl]

The CARES harness is not an actual restraint. It's just designed to make the lap belt on airplanes safER for children. Remember that there are far fewer accidents in airplanes than on the road, so there really isn't a lot of actual real-life data on how much it helps in an air accident. There is plenty more data on cars, unfortunately. 

[Just1More]

Ah.  Thanks.

So, a three year old and up is okay with the vest.  I was concerned about boosters because if there isn't a headrest, then that's worse, right?  But, with the vest, they are sitting on the actual seat, and should have the seat still behind their heads. 

(All prompted because dh switched dd to a lbb, and it didn't look right to me.  But we have a 15 passenger van and no headrests.  I put her back in the radian until we get a hbb.)

[Maedze]

Correct.   And also correct about the booster situation.   No backless boosters without proper head support.  The tallest dedicated booster right now that doesn't require vehicle support behind it I believe is the Britax Parkway SG/SGL. 
 

Originally Posted by Just1More 

Ah.  Thanks.

So, a three year old and up is okay with the vest.  I was concerned about boosters because if there isn't a headrest, then that's worse, right?  But, with the vest, they are sitting on the actual seat, and should have the seat still behind their heads. 

(All prompted because dh switched dd to a lbb, and it didn't look right to me.  But we have a 15 passenger van and no headrests.  I put her back in the radian until we get a hbb.)