Must-Read If You Use Puddle Jumpers to Keep Your Kids Safe in Water
Photo credit: YMCA
Puddle jumpers are a type of flotation device parents often use to keep their children safe in and around the pool. Parents rely on puddle jumpers because they believe the flotation device will save their children if they accidentally fall in the pool. This allows parents to feel at ease while their child is in the pool alone.
But are these safe?
Evidence shows puddle jumpers can actually be dangerous for children. Discover the risks associated with using puddle jumpers and why they are not a safe alternative to swimming lessons.
Puddle Jumpers: A False Sense of Security
Parents might think their child is safe in a puddle jumper, but this is not always true. Puddle jumpers can easily slip off, leaving the child unassisted in the water.
Even if the puddle jumper stays on, it can restrict the child’s movement and make it difficult for them to swim. Puddle jumpers can give people a false sense of security, leading to indifference. This increases the possibility of drowning tragedies.
Puddle Jumpers and Bad Swimming Habits
Puddle jumpers can also teach children poor swimming habits. When children use puddle jumpers, they become accustomed to relying on the device for flotation rather than learning to swim or to tread water independently. This can hinder their progress in developing essential swimming skills.
Kids need the opportunity to feel the natural movement of the water around their bodies. This way, they can learn how to adjust their weight intuitively and determine the body positions that work harmoniously with the water.
Puddle jumpers keep children in a vertical position in the water. This is not the most efficient or natural way to swim. These devices make it difficult for children to float on their backs, which is a critical skill for water survival. Instead of relying solely on these, teaching children proper swimming techniques and safety skills is essential.
Additionally, the forced vertical position in puddle jumpers limits their ability to explore different swimming techniques and movements. Children must learn how to swim using proper techniques from an early age. This helps them gain confidence and protects them in the water. You can teach your child yourself or enroll them in swim classes using tried-and-true methods.
Puddle Jumpers Are Not a Substitute for Swimming Lessons
While puddle jumpers might temporarily keep children afloat in the water, they are not a replacement for swimming lessons. Swimming lessons offer comprehensive training and education on water safety, stroke techniques, and survival skills.
Swimming lessons are the most comprehensive, effective way to prepare your child to be safe in and around the water. These lessons give children the skills to navigate various water scenarios confidently.
Additional Information about Water Safety
Here are some additional facts and tips to consider:
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- The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends all children learn to swim by age four because it adds a layer of protection in drowning prevention.
- Children learn the fundamentals of water safety in swim lessons.
- Swimming lessons prepare your child by teaching them how to float, tread water, and swim to safety.
- Different types of swimming lessons are available. Choose one that fits your child’s needs and interests.
So, are these safe? No, they are not a safe alternative to swimming lessons.
They create a false sense of security, teach children bad swimming habits, and can’t replace proper swimming instruction and training.
It’s crucial to educate kids to swim and to develop their water safety abilities under the supervision of responsible adults. With that in mind, enroll your child in trusted, proven swimming lessons today.
