EVERYTHING ABOUT REBOARDERS
Rear-facing child seats (reboarders) offer around 90% protection against serious injuries in a frontal collision, while forward-facing seats offer around 60% protection. In the event of an impact in a reboarder, the child is pushed into the seat shell, which distributes the forces evenly over the body. Children who sit forward-facing can be thrown forward, putting particular strain on their heads. Since children's heads are relatively larger and heavier, the risk of serious injuries increases.
A special risk is the "internal fracture of the neck", which can be caused by strong forces and is often fatal or leads to paralysis. Reboarders also offer advantages in the event of a side impact. Another benefit of rear-facing seats is that the child has a better view as they can see through the rear and side windows more easily. Most toddlers are already used to rear-facing infant carriers and do not experience motion sickness until they are around 4-6 years old.
Switching from an infant carrier to a reboarder is often easier and can be done earlier than to a forward-facing seat. However, the main reason for using a reboarder should always be increased safety.
The space required in the car varies depending on the child seat model and car model. Not every large car is automatically suitable for reboarders and not every small car is unsuitable. A vehicle type list provides information on which vehicles a specific seat can be correctly installed. If your car is not on this list, it does not automatically mean that the seat does not fit. A trial installation can provide clarity.
Finally, it should be noted that reboarders often fit well next to other seats so that other passengers are not affected.
Because rear-facing child seats are positioned opposite front-facing child seats, they often fit snugly in the car side-by-side. If you are interested, we would be happy to give you advice on which reboarders are particularly compatible.
Passengers in the car usually have no problems. With forward-facing seats, extra-wide seats could be inconvenient for adjacent passengers. This is not the case with rear-facing seats.
Experts unanimously advise that children should travel in a rear-facing position until at least their second birthday. Crash test results only provide data that one tries to transfer to real accident scenarios. Because children are physiologically different from adults, it is complicated to determine a safe age limit for traveling in forward-facing seats.
Considering the difference in size between the head and body of children compared to adults, it becomes clear why rear-facing seats are safer. This ratio only approaches that of an adult from the age of three. Therefore we recommend: Children should travel backwards until at least their third birthday. Even after that, traveling backwards offers the best protection for the neck and cervical spine.
Most parents are aware of the superior safety of rear-facing child seats in a frontal collision. However, some wonder if a reboarder is riskier in a rear impact. However, we should consider the probabilities of various accident scenarios. Frontal impacts are far more common and dangerous than rear impacts. In a rear-end collision, the impact of the collision is often reduced because both cars are traveling in the same direction.
Motion sickness is caused by a mismatch between signals from the vestibular system and visual impressions. The direction of travel is usually not the main trigger for adults, but the symptoms can appear differently in children. Some parents have found it helpful to temporarily cover side windows to reduce child visual overload.
A common question concerns the convenience of reboarders for older children. It is important to emphasize that children often experience the sitting position differently than adults. Many children find it more comfortable to cradle their legs in a reboarder than to dangle them in a forward-facing seat. It is advisable to pay attention to the child's individual preferences and not constantly point them out.
1. **Principle Permission**: Children may be transported in the front seat as long as they are secured in an appropriate child seat.
2. **Automanual as source**: The car's manual should provide information on any regulations for transporting children in the passenger seat.
3. **Passenger airbag deactivation**: As a general rule, the passenger airbag should be deactivated when a child is in the passenger seat, although there may be a few exceptions.
4. **Car Type List**: This indicates whether a semi-universal child seat can be correctly fitted in a specific car model.
5. **Isofix seats**: Most of the time there are no Isofix brackets for attachment at the front. On some models, especially French car manufacturers, such brackets may be present or retrofitted.
6. **Laying straps**: If a reboarder requires lashing straps for attachment, these should also be used on the front passenger seat.
7. **Visibility**: The placement and type of child seat may affect the driver's vision. Legally, two mirrors must be visible to the driver.