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Behaviour/development

so swim vests or those swimming discs?

45 replies

nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 00:06

pretty much everyone has said no to arm bands but i have heard contradicting things whether the vests or the dics that go on their arms are best. what do you lot all reckon?

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cornsilk · 14/05/2007 00:07

I found vests were good when they were little, then discs when they were about 3.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 02:13

i think someone told me with the vests they can't lift their head out of the water very well.

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McDreamy · 14/05/2007 05:31

what are discs? (sorry being a bit dense no doubt)

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 09:41

swimming discs

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LIZS · 14/05/2007 09:47

discs work like armbands and then remove gradually as they become mroe confident. How old is the child ? tbh many places teach without buyancy aids and use just woggles and/or traditional floats instead.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 09:51

they are for a friends ds who is 2.

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Tommy · 14/05/2007 12:11

why have I been called over to this thread? [puzzled]

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Hulababy · 14/05/2007 12:13

DD has used swim vests rather than arm bands/discs from being about 2. I was told it gave children a better position in the waterm and you can gradually reduce the numbe rof floats in the vest as they grow with confidence.

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snorkle · 14/05/2007 14:39

Hi nappyaddict - I'm still here, but dd created an account on mumsnet and was snooping on what I'd been saying; so I stopped for a while & all old posts deleted.

I've seen all methods used successfully. I think the mains pros and cons for each are as follows:

armbands +: builds confidence quickly;
kids stay the right way up.
armbands -: restricts arm movements;
kids get dependent on them;
parents always seem to fully inflate them.

disks +: as armbands, but less bulky;
less bulky = less retrictive;
easier to reduce number in use.
disks -: arms still a bit restricted;
more expensive than armbands.

suits +: good body position;
free use of arms;
easy to reduce floats gradually.
suits -: kids can 'capsize';
fiddly to move all floats each session for a bouyancy free spell;
usually most expensive.

I used the suits for mine, need more eagle eyed supervision in the early stages I think, but all systems can work well imo.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 16:46

someone told me you taught swimming tommy lol. i take it you don't.

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Tommy · 14/05/2007 16:54

I used to nappyaddict (who told you?!)

FWIW, my preference is no arm bands but my two DSs have managed pretty well with the floaty vest things - a zip up style (looks like a life jacket).

HTH

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christywhisty · 14/05/2007 17:20

My 2 started swimming lessons as babies (DS 1st birthday and DD 6 mos) The lessons provided the discs and would definitely recommend them.

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Frizbe · 14/05/2007 17:21

discs!

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mummydoit · 14/05/2007 17:55

My two have discs for their swimming lesson. I would recommend them.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 18:01

what lizs said about a lot of places using traditional floats is interesting. would you say they are better than vests or arm bands?

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Tommy · 14/05/2007 18:07

I think it depends what you're looking from a swim aid. A traditional float will help with body position and style but a "hands free" aid like a vest if you are just swimming for fun - getting confidence up etc. They can play and jump in more easily if they're not holding onto a float

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 18:09

how can they do their arms if they are holding onto a float though?

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christywhisty · 14/05/2007 18:11

Nappy addicts baby is only 10months, you can't use a float or woggle with a baby!
The classes we go to they use discs in the babies and the children learning water confidence as well as woggles. The more confident children use woggles and floats.

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christywhisty · 14/05/2007 18:14

Sorry i am contradicting myself, meant babies can't really use floats. We used to use woggles with the discs in the mother and baby lessons.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 18:30

its not for my baby lol! its for my friends ds who is 2 and a half.

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nappyaddict · 14/05/2007 18:31

so you use woggles AND discs? that would give extra safety i suppose.

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christywhisty · 14/05/2007 18:46

The woggle is more for play and not used through the whole lesson.Later on they use it by itself when the child is more confident.

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Christie · 14/05/2007 19:23

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Surfermum · 14/05/2007 19:29

Can I throw another option in the mix? I used one of these for dd:
\link{http://www.littletrekkers.co.uk/shop/index.php/flypage/1431/f503164892ebaf42ee464784d01accd7\backfloat - it was great.

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Surfermum · 14/05/2007 19:29

Try again .... Can I throw another option in the mix? I used one of these for dd:
backfloat - it was great.

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