WHAT DO KIDS WANT? Product development always starts with asking the right questions. When developing our new line of kids PFDs, we knew what we wanted: we wanted to introduce a contemporary product that blended comfort and safety. Figuring out what kids wanted, however, was another story. At Mustang Survival, we work with many tough customers including international militaries, NASA, and the US Coast Guard. None are as brutally honest as the critics we faced on this project. Our development team cycled through hundreds of sketches and prototypes. Every concept was put to the test. We logged numerous hours at swimming pools. We held focus groups. We talked with any parent and child willing to give us an opinion. Children, we learned, are more than happy to provide opinions: “Too bulky!” “Too hot!” “It doesn’t look cool!” “No way! I’m not wearing that!” We knew we were on the right track when kids started arguing over who got to wear the PFD with the head pillow. And when Sam, the 10-year-old son of our lead designer, gave the final prototype an approving nod, we rejoiced. Design is definitely a process. Learning from our market, listening to what they want, and having the flexibility to challenge our own assumptions were key to creating a product we

mustang survival we save lives for a living For high intensity sports or just playing at the beach, the Lil’ Legends™ 70 has segmented front panels for extreme mobility and an exclusive coolingchanneled interior back panel. Advance field testing has proven Lil’ Legends™ to be a top choice of both parents and children. For best-in-class in-water performance and all-day comfort in big water, the Lil’ Legends™ 100 has a segmented head pillow, shaped mobility panels and an exclusive cooling-channeled interior back panel. Designed for coastal and offshore boating activities. Advance field testing...