Are Puddle Jumpers safe?
4 min read
Asked by: Dan Ward
They’re not as bulky as a lifejacket making them easy to put on and more comfortable for the kid. They’re also usually brightly coloured or covered in beloved animated characters which makes kids want to wear them. But, despite their popularity, puddle jumpers are actually really unsafe, say swim safety experts.
Can you drown in a puddle jumper?
For children who routinely wear the puddle jumper, this could lead to a fatal drowning accident as they have not developed a healthy respect for the water. Children learn through their senses and motor movements. The puddle jumper positions your child to swim in an upright, vertical position.
What is safer than a puddle jumper?
Life jackets over floaties
“They can slip off the child or deflate and are not approved by the US Coast Guard as a lifesaving device,” she says. A safer option is a U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)-approved life jacket, alongside a good helping of adult supervision.
Should you use puddle jumpers?
Puddle Jumpers are great for a parent’s peace of mind around water. They help support the child’s upper body reducing the risk of drowning. Parents can’t be everywhere at once, so it is helpful to have your child wear a puddle jumper or lifejacket at the pool or beach.
Is a life jacket or puddle jumper better?
In our opinion, if your child will be boating, a life jacket can be the best option. Puddle jumpers can be great for kids splashing around at the pool, and a swim vest can be ideal for kids who are learning to swim without floaties.
At what age can you use a Puddle Jumper?
The product is designed for children ages 3 and up (30-50 pounds), and this floatation device which will only set you back about $20.
Can 2 year old use Puddle Jumper?
The Stearns Puddle Jumper Infant Hydroprene Life Jacket is designed for infants less than 30lb. It is a Type II US Coastguard-approved device, which means it is safe to use on boats and will flip the wearer onto their back if they fall face down in the water.
Should toddlers wear flotation devices?
Floaties and Water Wings are Dangerous
They help the parent feel a little more comfortable with their child being in the water, and they give the child a false sense of security. Most kids love to wear these items, as they make them feel independent and bring them to the surface when they jump in the water.
What flotation device is best for 2 year old?
6 Best Swim Floaties for Toddlers
- SwimSchool Grow-With-Me Water Floatie.
- Bodyglove Paddle Pal Swim Floatie.
- Speedo Begin-to-Swim Baby Cruiser Water Floatie.
- Speedo Kids Arm Floaties for Toddlers.
- Otter Wings Kids Water Floaties.
- SwimWays Baby Pool Float.
- More Gear Guides Like This.
Why can’t you wear a life jacket at the beach?
An unapproved devices can slide off, pop, or float a child face down. Water wings can actually slide off and even trap a drowning child underwater. With any device a child can easily float away and into deep water.
Do puddle jumpers help learn to swim?
One main critique of this flotation device is that it teaches children incorrect posture for swimming. Rather than helping children learn how to orient horizontally in water, puddle jumpers put children in an upright, vertical position. Unfortunately, this is the drowning position.
Are water wings safe?
For many parents water wings are seen as a way to keep kids safe and protected at the pool, but water wings or arm floaties are not recognized as safe personal flotation devices (PFD). The CDC in particular doesn’t recommend the use of water wings in the pool.
Are swim vests safe for toddlers?
3. Toddler swim vests can create a false sense of security. Puddle jumpers, toddler learn-to-swim vests, and even arm floaties create a false narrative for both children and adults. For children, flotation devices create a false sense of confidence that they can swim when in actuality, they can’t.
What should toddlers wear swimming?
Swim nappies are a must
Most pools wouldn’t allow them in wearing those anyway. Instead, buy specific swim nappies – available in most big supermarkets or chemists – and a suitable swimsuit, trunks or wetsuit. Then you’re good to go.
Is a swim vest better than armbands?
Unlike arm bands, which position a child’s arms above their chest and restrict arm movement, float vests fit snuggly to the torso, allowing children to have a full range of movement. Float vests help position children in a natural swimming position in the water, whilst proving extra buoyancy as they learn to swim.
