Many families use flotation devices like Puddle Jumpers™ for peace of mind at the pool, lake, or beach. While these colorful, U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) approved devices might seem like the perfect solution for keeping kids safe, we don't recommended them for children who are learning to swim. Experts in aquatic education warn that regular use of these devices can interfere with learning proper swim skills and water safety awareness.

Understanding How Puddle Jumpers™ Work
Puddle Jumpers™ are removable flotation aids with armband floats connected to a chest pad, and a rear buckle. They keep children vertical in the water, with the face out of the water, and they prevent sinking. Fitted and clasped properly, they stay on well and don't leak air since they're made from cellular foam.

Swimming Is Learned Horizontally, Not Vertically
To learn to swim children must develop comfort and floating in horizontal positions, lying flat on the belly with face in the water, and on the back, integrating coordinated arm and leg movements. Puddle Jumpers™, doing what they're designed to do, keep kids in a vertical position, which is a sinking position. Overuse of these devices trains muscles and reflexes to rely on a vertical position when they eventually try to swim without the device. If a child accidentally falls into water without flotation, they're more likely to seek the familiar, vertical position, not self-rescue positions like back floating or swimming back to the wall. 

Disruption of Swim Skill Development
Swim instructors report that children who frequently use Puddle Jumpers™ struggle with the essential foundational skills of breath control, floating, and basic propulsion. Children may resist putting their face in the water because they never had to while wearing the device. The bulky arm pads restrict arm movement, blocking arm stroke development. The devices also promote an underwater vertical kick, instead of a horizontal kick at the surface.

They Create a False Sense of Security / 70% of Drownings Happen During Non-swim Time
These devices, especially when children are allowed to float around the pool without a parent at arm’s distance, can give kids a false sense of security. Even worse, floating without an adult broadcasts to children that swimming is easy and can occur unsupervised. Rather than developing a healthy respect for water, kids can become too comfortable and even think it's safe to return to the water, alone and without the device. Children who use Puddle Jumpers™ can develop "false confidence," believing they can swim on their own. Puddle Jumpers™ also don't necessarily prevent unusual and potentially dangerous situations, like getting stuck behind a pool ladder. When a child is wearing a flotation device, or when providing hands-on assistance, never say, "You're swimming!" Instead, say, "You're learning to swim, and I need to be near you."

What Should Parents Use Instead?
In deep water, open water, or on boats, properly fitted U.S.C.G. life jackets are essential for safety. We recommend vest style jackets that don't restrict arm movement. Watch this video on how to select the right size and fit life jackets. When it comes to learning to swim, nothing replaces qualified instruction, touch-supervision, and progressive exposure to water and skills. During swim lessons or recreational swim time, children should be supported with hands-on guidance from an instructor or caregiver who promotes horizontal floating positions and effective arm and leg movements, not a flotation device that promotes vertical/drowning position, and restricts limb movements. No flotation devices are approved for learning to swim.

​At LifeCycle Swim School we sometimes use a swim assist "backpack" to help transition kids to swimming independently on their belly. These devices are not "approved" by anybody. We've found them useful because they allow children to put their heads in the water, provide a buoyancy boost and let kids practice arm and leg propulsion "independently" when they say, "I don't want you to hold me." Teachers stay right next to them, ready to provide hands-on assist if necessary. Never leave a child out of arm's reach when using any type of swim assist flotation.

All that said, sometimes guardians are outnumbered in a pool and it could make sense to have support from flotation devices. Follow these guidelines for recreational use of flotation devices in swimming pools for non-swimmers:
1. Use USCG certified vest style jackets that don’t impede arm movement.
2. Caregiver should remain arm's distance from any child in a life vest. Do NOT let children float around in a life vest without a guardian at arm's reach.
3. Give children equal time in a life vest and in no vest with hands-on touch support. The child’s experience will be more balanced, and he/she will be less likely to develop the bad habits promoted by a constant vertical position. Use the vest as a "one-off," rather than regularly.

Conclusion
While Puddle Jumpers™ may offer a feeling of security and make a guardian’s day easier, they can ultimately delay or even harm a child’s ability to learn to swim safely and effectively. Parents should prioritize swim readiness and skill development over convenience. Giving a child a foundation in proper swim technique early sets them up for a lifetime of confidence, safety, and enjoyment in the water. At LifeCycle Swim School, we teach parents how to support children in the water so they can continue skill development between lessons.

Finally, here's a story written by a mom who lost a child to drowning who believes use of a Puddle Jumper™ may have contributed to the tragedy.

Ahhh…summer…Sitting by a pool, reading, sipping an iced tea. For some it’s more like “How will I entertain the kids all day?” “Camp costs what?!” and “I can join that video call from the car - after camp drop-off.” Making summer even more stressful is that undercurrent of worry that our kids stay safe around water.
Read these six tips to get your safe summer started.

1. Think ahead about any vacation days, and book hotels now.

• Confirm the days off from work. Communicate your summer schedule to colleagues and direct reports.
• If vacationing around waterscapes is a priority, start researching hotels (see point #2) and book now. Waterscape properties are always in high demand.
• Camp drop-offs and pick-ups can mess with your schedule. Meet with your manager to discuss any flexibility you'll need over the summer. Join with other parents to help convince management.
• Make arrangements for pets, house plants, yard and pool.

2. Consider water safety when researching hotel properties, rentals, and any water excursions.

• If you're considering any overnight stays at properties that have water features or are near waterscapes, here's a list of water safety questions to consider or ask.
• If you're staying at friends' or family's property that has a pool or access to any open water, ask about water barriers like pool fences or covers, and on-site rescue equipment. If any repairs, installation or purchases are needed, start making arrangements now.
• When planning water excursions, be mindful of your family's water skills. Don't book excursions that are too advanced. Base water activity decisions on ability, not age.

3. Refresh your CPR skills.
One of the five layers of protection for being safe around water is having an emergency action plan - which includes knowing CPR. If it's been a while since you've practiced, take a refresher course. Here's the link to Red Cross classes.​

4. Make sure all caregivers watching children in and around water have the proper skills and certifications.

• Only people who know how to swim should be responsible for watching children in, on and around water. Know the swimming abilities of your caregiver. Be wary that some people overestimate their swimming skills. Ask direct, specific questions about swimming skills and encourage them to be honest.
• Ensure that any caregiver watching your children around water has refreshed CPR/rescue breath skills.

5. Follow these for choosing camps with swim programs.​

• If you want a camp to provide swim lessons, research the swim program to be sure it's a good fit. Call the camp and ask questions (download this guide from the National Drowning Prevention Association). Talk to parents whose kids have attended and ask specific questions about the program.
• If the camp doesn't provide swim lessons, ask if there are any water features on or near their property, and how the children are supervised around the water.
• Getting kids to and from camp can be draining, consider arranging a carpool.
• Get the scoop on camps by asking friends or posting on social media.
• Use local resources like Mommy Poppins/NJ and Macaroni Kid

6. Build swim lessons into your summer plans.
If your child doesn't take year-round swim lessons, summer is the time to progress their skills in sync with age, maturity and physical growth. Basic swimming is a life skill that everyone should have. If you have a resistant kid, push gently forward and call us for tips! Research programs and choose a reputable school that fits your schedule. Download this swim lesson checklist from the National Drowning Prevention Association. Swim programs in our area often have waiting lists, so register now.  You can register for our swim programs here.