Toddler Float Jacket / Suit

Northern78

Morning all

We’re taking our LO on holiday at the end of May, he’ll be 16 months old by then. We’re staying in a villa with a pool and although there’ll be plenty of adults to keep their eye on him, we all know toddlers have a tendency to disappear in the blink of an eye. I’m therefore looking for recommendations for a float jacket or float suit which I could ensure he has on at all times when outside just in case he does make a beeline for the pool. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching the net for jackets/suits but can’t seem to find one with consistently good reviews. Some of the float jacket reviews said that their LO had fallen in the pool face down and the float jacket held them in such a way they couldn’t get their face out of the water, same thing with the suits. I have seen the Jackabel Swimsafe Floatsuit which has extra buoyancy round the neck too. Has anyone purchased one of these? Do they keep the LO’s head out of the water? I know these things aren't meant as life saving devices and he will always be with an adult but I’d rather have him in something that would, in such an event, keep his face out of the water.

Thanks!

danlojo

All my three wore these and like you they were not used as a 'lifevest' but to give them some buoyancy. They even wore them in shallow water as they were used to them.

My 6 year old had one on our last holiday as she is a swimmer but not that strong but it gave her a bit more freedom (someone was always near her)

Make sure that you have it fitted correctly as they are supposed to be tight or the vest will just ride up and rub under the arms. Some have a gusset that you can chose to attach.

We didn't have the Jackabel Swimsafe suit so I cannot comment on that. My children were always 3 - 4 years when we bought them so we're a bit stronger to adjust to the buoyancy.

fluffnutter

Northern78 wrote: »

Morning all

We’re taking our LO on holiday at the end of May, he’ll be 16 months old by then. We’re staying in a villa with a pool and although there’ll be plenty of adults to keep their eye on him, we all know toddlers have a tendency to disappear in the blink of an eye. I’m therefore looking for recommendations for a float jacket or float suit which I could ensure he has on at all times when outside just in case he does make a beeline for the pool. I’ve spent quite a bit of time searching the net for jackets/suits but can’t seem to find one with consistently good reviews. Some of the float jacket reviews said that their LO had fallen in the pool face down and the float jacket held them in such a way they couldn’t get their face out of the water, same thing with the suits. I have seen the Jackabel Swimsafe Floatsuit which has extra buoyancy round the neck too. Has anyone purchased one of these? Do they keep the LO’s head out of the water? I know these things aren't meant as life saving devices and he will always be with an adult but I’d rather have him in something that would, in such an event, keep his face out of the water.

Thanks!

No floatation device will keep a face out of the water because the head's the heaviest part of the body. You just can't use a float suit such as you mention as a buoyancy aid. They're merely to give children a bit of confidence when they're learning to swim (and TBH, they're not even needed for that).

I know you know that, but I wouldn't even go down that route personally because I'd be concerned about a false sense of security [if he were in one of these suits]. Never, never take your eye off him for a moment and accept that you're just going to have to be extra vigilant when he's around water.

xxlouisexx56

They won't keep a toddlers head out of water I'm afraid.

We used one on holiday in October, our girl was 18 months and wanted to keep jumping in the pool with her big sister aged 6.

We used the suit in the pool with her but it would of done nothing if she had jumped in face first.

You'll have to talk to the other adults and insist that all doors in the villa are kept shut so your toddler doesn't run out straight into the pool

sjlou

As already mentioned by other posters these are floatation "aids" and should not be used on an unsupervised child. At 16 months, he will have no idea how to position himself in the water to stop his head entering.
Personally I wouldn't encourage using these vests, as they promote an unnatural body position in the water, which once moved onto armbands/ rings in lessons puts them at a disadvantage.

Even arm bands would be better for him at this age, because of their placement on the body, high up, his head should stay above the water. Although again, should not be used without supervision.

As a swimming teacher who regularly teaches a group of young beginner swimmers in the pool, you have to have eyes in the back of your head.

Gloomendoom

A proper life jacket, as opposed to a buoyancy aid, may do the job as they are specifically designed to keep the face out of the water. Unfortunately, they are rather unwieldy.

For example...

Crewsaver Supersafe Toddlers 100N Lifejacket 10-20Kg

z.n

Be very careful even with the life jackets-unless fitted absolutely properly they will not keep the head out of the water as they can flip over. Best thing is to test one in a swimming pool before you go so you know how tight the straps really need to be. Even the best ones can have design flaws/require an extra strap. At 16 months db won't be able to complain. You can go for armbands or similar when closely supervising in the water. You can get pool alarms which would be worth looking into as well ( I have no idea how these work but worth investigating). I have fished a 3-4 year old out of a public pool and within the 8-9 steps it took me to reach her she was already sinking with both parents standing no more than 6 feet away oblivious. It can happen in a flash so be seriously vigilent.

Northern78

Thanks for all the replies.

Just to clarify I know these jackets/suits aren't life saving devices and I have no intention of leaving ds to his own devices. There will be 6 adults so plenty to keep an eye on him but i'm one of lifes born worries.

The pool alarm sounds interesting, I'll look into it!

Thanks!