dweste,

I understand your question, and the answer will vary. For this discussion I will stick to canoeing on lakes and rivers with no, even minor, white water and not large lakes, especially with power boaters. For my new grandson, when he arrives, he will wear (all the time) a specialty child vest designed to keep small children upright in the water. For my nephew at 15 it would normally be a good Type II vest (he is now on the 3rd new size in 3 years) but soon as he stops growing so fast, it will be a Type V vest designed for canoeing. For my daughter (a superior swimmer) I bought a high quality self inflating suspender type like mine. Although the risk of malfunction is there, I try to by quality equipment so I don't worry too much about it. The Type V vest and the inflatables would have at least 22 lb bouyancy (like a type I) and be able to right an unconscious wearer right side up. All vests are tried in the pool to insure they work for the person I have purchased them for. I would not use the inflatables in below freezing temps (kayaking Alaska or Iceland). The biggest reason for the inflatable's is that they can be worn all the time, even in Florida heat and do not interfer with paddeling.

Respectfully,

Jerry