Is it necessary to use the Avery Capsule Base with my Avery Capsule?

It is not a necessity to use a base with a capsule but it can improve the chances of your capsule being installed correctly and securely every time you travel.

When installing a capsule (or any child restraint) it is important to ensure it is installed securely with little to no sideways movement.  If you can move your capsule with your hand, imagine what the force of a crash would do to it.  For this reason, your capsule must move less than 2.5cm sideways when you pull on it at the belt path.

Another important point to check is that your capsule is installed on such an angle that ensures your baby can sleep with their head back and their airways clear.  Depending on the angle of your vehicle seat, achieving this may require some adjustments.

As a capsule is a mobile child restraint, it is removed from the vehicle with your baby in it every time you finish a journey. 

Therefore, when using a capsule without a base, it is necessary to reinstall it every time you travel.  This involves threading the vehicle belt through the capsule’s belt path and locking it with enough tension to ensure less than 2.5cm of movement.   After the capsule has been installed and you are satisfied with the movement, you will also need to check the angle is correct for your baby to rest safely.  This will need to be done before every journey.

The benefit of using the Avery Capsule Base with the Avery Capsule is that the base is installed once and the capsule is simply clicked in and out of it each time you travel.  There is no need to install anything with each journey.  Once the base is installed securely on your vehicle seat and the angle is correct, then when the capsule is clicked into the base, you know that it is also secure and at the correct angle for your baby.

Without a base:  it is necessary to install the capsule every time you travel which can increase the risk of an unsafe or incorrect installation. 

With a base:  as long as the base is installed safely and correctly, then you can be confident your capsule is safe and secure each time you travel without the need for reinstallation.