Are puddle jumpers safe?
Are puddle jumpers a safe option for your little one?
Puddle jumpers may seem like a convenient must-have for your busy family pool day, but are they safe to use? The answer may come as a surprise, but the reality is that puddle jumpers and safety do not go hand in hand.
If you are not familiar with this device, the puddle jumper is a combination of water wings and a life vest that fastens around the swimmer’s arms and chest, assisting them to float in the water.
We see puddle jumpers all over social media and can’t stress enough that the negatives of using these kinds of swimming aids largely outweigh the positives.
But how can a device that is helping my child float be dangerous?
For starters, it’s important to remember that this device is not teaching your child any swimming skills. Just because the child is floating, it does not mean that they are learning anything about how to swim or be safe in the water. Not only is the puddle jumper not teaching any swimming skills, but it is actually reinforcing a very dangerous position in the water.
The puddle jumper works by keeping the child’s body vertical in the water, with their legs straight down and arms out to the side. This vertical position is actually known as “the drowning position,” so if your child were to find themselves in the water without the flotation device, they have been trained to maintain a very dangerous position that could not be sustained for long.
Since the puddle jumper makes it easy for the child to float, they are given a false sense of security and believe that they can swim.
Young children do not yet have the cognitive abilities to understand that it is the puddle jumper that has been keeping them afloat, not their own swimming abilities, and this relationship is teaching the child that the water is fun and safe without actually giving them the skills needed to swim safely.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in toddlers (CDC Drowning facts). What swimming professionals want you to know is that if you want your child to be safe in the water, ditch the puddle jumper! Instead, teach them to swim as early as possible (some swimming lessons can begin from just a couple weeks old), use a coast guard-certified life jacket when boating and always watch your child around water.
In conclusion, puddle jumpers may seem like a convenient option for a family pool day, but they are not safe for children.
They do not teach children any swimming skills and reinforce a dangerous position in the water. Instead, parents and caregivers should teach children to swim as early as possible, use coast guard-certified life jackets when boating and always supervise children around water to reduce the risk of drowning.
Sources:
“Drowning Facts.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 7 Oct. 2022, https://www.cdc.gov/drowning/facts/index.html.
At watermellow, we understand the special bond between a parent and their child. Our online baby swimming lessons provide the perfect opportunity for you to nurture that bond while introducing your little one to the joys of swimming. With the guidance of our experienced instructors, you can watch as your child learns to love the water, and create unforgettable memories together.
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Meet Kaylee Kennedy
I'm Kaylee Kennedy, the founder of watermellow.
Our renowned swimming program nurtures and develops each baby's unique abilities.
Inspired by my experience as a young mom teaching my little one to swim, I'm passionate about swimming and its benefits for early childhood development.
Join us at watermellow to help your baby grow an amazing relationship with the water in a safe and supportive environment, creating lasting memories together.
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