National Child Passenger Safety Certification Training Program

Module 8

Children in Rear-Facing Car Seats

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8-2

Module 8 Objectives

• Describe why children should travel rear-facing.

• Identify types of rear-facing car seats.

• Apply 5 steps for rear-facing car seat use.

• Explain best practices and caregiver choices about

rear-facing car seats.

• Identify rear-facing car seat errors and consequences.

Children’s Bodies Change as They

Grow

8-3

Why Children Should Travel Rear-

Facing

8-4

2 Types of Rear-Facing Car Seats

8-5Convertible

Rear-facing-only

Practice Activity

Identify Rear-Facing Car Seats

8-5a

Rear-Facing-Only Car Seats

• Check car seat label for starting weight.

• In general, top of child’s head should be well

contained within shell and at least 1 inch from top

of shell.

• Harness needs to be snug at or below child’s

shoulders.

• Caregivers should NEVER use rear-facing seat above

height or weight limits designated by manufacturer.

8-6

Rear-Facing Convertible Car Seats

• Many new car seats are approved for rear-facing for

up to 40+ pound children.

• Children commonly sit with legs crossed or resting

on back of vehicle seat – low injury risk.

• Older children with poor head control and other

children with special needs may benefit from

staying rear-facing as long as possible.

8-7

5 Steps for Car Seat Use

1. Selection: Choose the right car seat.

2. Direction: Face the car seat the right way.

3. Location: Install the car seat in an appropriate

location in the vehicle.

4. Installation: Secure the car seat to vehicle in the

right way.

5. Harnessing: Place the child correctly in the car

seat.

8-8

Rear-Facing Car Seat Selection

• Select for the child’s height, weight, developmental

levels, AND that caregiver can use correctly.

• Select with an adjustable harness height to offer

options for rapidly growing infant.

• Some have multiple positions for crotch straps for

better fit as child grows.

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Rear-Facing Car Seat Direction

• Under age 1 ALWAYS ride rear-facing.

• Stay rear-facing AS LONG AS POSSIBLE – until

reaching the top height or weight limit.

8-10

Rear-Facing Car Seat Location

• Not all vehicle seating positions are suitable for

installing a car seat. Check manufacturer

instructions.

• Always ask, “Who rides in this vehicle? Where will

each person sit?”

• NEVER place a rear-facing car seat in the front

vehicle seat if the passenger frontal air bag is turned

“on.”

8-11

Rear-Facing Car Seat Installation

• Rear-facing car seat spreads crash forces.

• Correct angle helps keep airway open.

• Know car seat recline angle.

• Use recline angle and adjustor.

• Adjust to accommodate the seat and vehicle slope.

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Recline Angle

8-13

Seat Belt or Lower Anchors

• Car seats can be installed

with a seat belt or with lower

anchor attachments – usually

NOT both.

• While the systems are

different, they are equally

safe.

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Install a Rear-Facing Car Seat

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Space Considerations

• Check the following to see if the car seat fits

in the vehicle:

- Do the contours of the vehicle seat permit the car

seat to stay level?

- Is there enough space for the car seat to allow for

the correct angle?

- Does enough of the car seat base (footprint) fit on

the vehicle seat?

- Does the seat belt or lower anchor connectors

allow for a tight installation?

8-15a

Common Rear-Facing Car Seat

Installation Errors

• Seat belt or lower anchor attachment that is too loose

or not locked

• Rear-facing-only car seat that is facing forward

• Seat belt or lower anchor attachments routed

incorrectly

• Incorrect recline angle especially for an infant

• Using 2 seat belts or using a seat belt and lower

anchor attachments together (must be allowed by

BOTH the vehicle and car seat manufacturer)

8-16

Common Rear-Facing Car Seat

Installation Errors (continued)

• Incorrect use of lower anchor connectors and tethers

• Not using appropriate tether anchor or using a tether

when it should not be used (most convertible car

seats do not tether when rear-facing)

• Locking clip installed incorrectly

• Carrying handle not used in the approved position for

vehicle travel

8-17

Rear-Facing Car Seat Harnessing

There are four steps for correctly placing a

child in a car seat.

1. Place the child all the way back in the car

seat.

2. Place the harness straps at or below the

child’s shoulders and buckle at the crotch.

3. Tighten harness straps snugly.

4. Place the harness retainer clip at armpit

level.

8-17a

Common Rear-Facing Car Seat

Harnessing Errors

• Harness not used and child just sitting in car seat

• Harness straps that are too loose

• Retainer clip not at armpit level

• Harness routed through wrong slots

• Harness not doubled-back through buckle type

metal adjuster, if it requires double-back to secure

the harness

• Harness is twisted

8-18

Common Rear-Facing Car Seat

Harnessing Errors (continued)

• Harness not placed on child correctly

• Harness frayed or damaged

• Metal adjuster not flush with slot or out of position

• Crotch strap adjusted too long

• Harness not at or below shoulder

• Crotch strap not through slot closest to child

• Harness incorrectly routed

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Tips for Discussing Rear-Facing

Car Seats with Caregivers

• Tell caregivers to “try it before you buy it”

• Remind them to test for a tight installation at

the belt path at the child’s feet – not near the

child’s head

• To reduce risk of entanglement, educate

caregivers to buckle and lock an unused seat

belt against the back seat.

8-19a

AAP Recommendations for

Small & Premature Children

• Monitor all children

born before 37 weeks

before they leave

hospital for possible

breathing problems or

slowing of heart rate

when sitting in a semi-

reclined position

• Physician determines

how children will ride

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How to Fit Small & Prematurely Born

Infants in Car Seats

• Use a rear-facing car seat with small internal harness

dimensions.

• Use a car seat designed for the child’s low weight.

• Center child in a car seat with rolled receiving

blankets and a crotch roll, if necessary.

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How to Fit Children in Car Beds

• Secure child in car bed

with the internal

harness or bunting.

• Place child’s head

toward center of vehicle

– NOT next to door.

• Use seat belt to anchor

car bed lengthwise on

vehicle seat.

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How to Fit Children with

Breathing Problems

• May require child to lie flat

or use a non-conventional

car seat.

• Semi-reclined position of

car seat could make

breathing problems worse.

• Children may need to travel

with secured special

medical equipment.

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Practice Activity

Select and Install Rear-Facing Car Seats

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Key Questions Related to

Rear-Facing Car Seats

• What are the age, height, and weight of the child?

• Does the child have any special needs such as being

very small, premature, or other physical or

developmental needs?

• What does the car seat owner’s manual or label say

about the minimum and maximum heights and

weights for the child using this car seat?

• Is the car seat a rear-facing-only or convertible type?

• Does the rear-facing-only car seat have a base? Can

it be installed without a base?

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Key Questions Related to

Rear-Facing Car Seats (continued)

• Is the car seat facing the correct direction in the

vehicle?

• Is the car seat in an appropriate seating position in

the vehicle according to the vehicle and car seat

manufacturers?

• Is the car seat installed tightly?

• Is the car seat secured by a seat belt or with lower

anchor attachments?

• Is the car seat at the correct recline angle?

• Is the harness being used correctly?

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Progress Check

Answer these questions in your TG:

1. I have two children. Which child should go in the middle of the back seat?

2. Can I leave the handle up and dangle toys from the car seat to keep my child happy?

3. Should I use the lower anchors or the seat belt? Which is safer?

4. Should I use a tether on my rear-facing convertible seat?

5. I want to see my child. When can I turn him around?

8-25a

Car Seat Errors & Consequences

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Car Seat Errors & Consequences (continued)

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Car Seat Errors & Consequences (continued)

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Car Seat Errors & Consequences (continued)

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Car Seat Errors & Consequences (continued)

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Progress Check

Answer these questions in the TG:

1. How do you determine which harness slot or slots may be used for a rear-facing child?

2. What factors do you check to be sure a child is properly secured with a rear-facing car seat?

3. What are the two places where you will find accurate information regarding correct seat belt placement?

4. How do you test the tightness of a rear-facing car seat?

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