(Source Kidsflysafe.com , the inventor of CARES)

♦ CARES stands for Child Aviation Restraint System. CARES is a harness-type safety device designed for children who weigh between 10-20 kgs, sitting in their own airplane seats. (Generally 1-4/5 years old.)

♦ CARES takes the place of a car seat when traveling by air with your children and provides an equivalent level of safety (ELOS) to a car seat. (Stated in the FAA certification designation)

♦ CARES weighs 500 grams (car seats typically weigh 7-10 kgs).

♦ CARES comes in a 15 cm drawstring bag that fits in a carry-on bag or purse. (Car seats are typically over 65cm high, 50 cm wide, heavy, bulky and hard to carry)

♦ CARES is designed specifically for air travel: it is portable, light weight and easy to use.

♦ CARES takes one minute to install on any airplane seat and augments the regular lap belt.

♦ Parents who need the car seat at the other end of trip can ship it through as luggage, and carry their CARES on board.

♦ CARES has been certified by Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.  Certification for many other countries is in process.  View CARES approval by Australian Aviation Authority (CASA) - see 'Seating' section

Please click to purchase a CARES now




FAQs

Source: Kidsflysafe website, the inventor of CARES.

Q. Does CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint provide as much protection for my child as a car seat?

A. Yes. In rigorous dynamic tests conducted by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), CARES, a totally new harness-type child safety device, was certified as an ELOS (Equivalent Level of Safety) to a car seat. It is the only harness type safety device with this certification.

Q. At what age can a child use CARES aviation restraint?

A. Children must be at least 1 year old, weigh 10 kilos, and be able to sit forward facing to use a CARES aviation restraint.

Q. What is the upper age limit for children to use CARES child aviation restraint?

A. Children who are 4 years old, weigh at least 20 kilos and are more than 102cms tall are considered old enough and strong enough to travel with a regular aeroplane lap belt. 

The CARES is designed specifically for aviation use for children age 1 and older who weigh between 10 and 20 kilos. These youngsters are old enough to be in their own seats, but are too small for the seat belt alone to protect them. We know they are much safer in a 5 point harness than a seatbelt alone. Their bodies cannot withstand the jolts that are common in routine plane trips. The Cares aviation restraint keeps them safe in a 5 point harness much like a car seat.

Q. When flying with children do you have to buy a ticket to use CARES?

A. A child must be in his/her own seat to use CARES restraint. Airlines require all children age 2 and older to have their own tickets and to be in their own seats.

If there is room on the plane and your child is one year old, weighs over ten kilos then you may be allocated a seat free by the airline. If this happens you would be able to use the CARES without purchasing a seat.  

Q. Do I need permission from my airline to use CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint?

A. Technically no. The CARES has been certified for use by CASA (Australia), CAA (New Zealand), CAA (United Kingdom), FAA (USA) and TC (Canada) for use on all airlines registered to those countries. Because CARES is a new product and is a unique harness-type child safety restraint, some airline personnel may not yet be familiar with it. If you have any concerns check with your airline prior to travel. 

Q. Who manufactures CARES?

A. CARES is manufactured exclusively by AmSafe Aviation, the foremost manufacturer of aviation seatbelts and pilot restraints in the world. (Turn over your aeroplane seat belt buckle. Chances are it says AmSafe.) CARES is made of the same industrial-strength webbing as your own seat belt and is engineered to the highest aviation-safety standards. You can feel safe knowing this is manufactured by the best.

Q. Can CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint be used during take off and landing?

A. Yes. CARES aviation restraint is certified by CASA for all phases of flight: taxiing, take off, turbulence and landing. In addition; "Turbulence can happen at any time without warning, so keep your child belted in as much as possible. If the child wants to get up and move around, let them do so only if the seat belt sign is off." (CASA website; Safer Air Travel/travelling with children/seating).  

Q. Can I use CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint in my car? 

 A. Absolutely NOT. The CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint is NOT certified for use in automobiles and does not work with a three-point (shoulder) harness. NEVER TRY TO USE CARES Kids Fly Safe aviation restraint IN YOUR CAR.