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AIBU?

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Original poster

To buy a buoyancy aid instead of a life jacket?

30 replies

Summersunplease21 · 27/05/2025 12:30

Wise Mumsnetters, I need help with a holiday question. We are going to the French coast and will be swimming/SUPing at one of the surf beaches with lots of waves and currents. Currently struggling with what the buy the DC (7 and 10) for the water. Research gives me conflicting info- a life jacket is better but also hard to swim in but still recommended for open waters. If it’s too bulky and annoying they won’t want to wear it. Am leaning towards a buoyancy vest, is this the right call?

OP posts:
AnSolas · 27/05/2025 12:45

Why are you planning on letting your children into the sea in an area not suitable for swimming?

If its an active surf beach the children are in danger and create a danger for the surfers.

Why not find a better beach shallow water beach and/or keep them out of the sea untill they are strong enough not to need swim aids.

verycloakanddaggers · 27/05/2025 12:43

No lifejacket, no going in the water.

Would you let them go in a car without their seatbelt?

For5moreminswere6 · 27/05/2025 12:41

Peak UK do children's buoyancy aids. They are the very best there is. No BA no going in the water. Be firm. Truss them up tight and they will keep them warm and safe and they'll stop noticing it soon enough.

IkaBaar · 27/05/2025 12:39

I’d buy a life jacket before you go and then if necessary cheap buoyancy aids from a supermarket/decathlon when you go. Though thinking about it, will you be hiring paddle boards, if so can’t you hire life jackets too. There’s also (hopefully) a good chance they won’t let you hire paddle boards if you haven’t got like jackets.

We go SUPing in lochs and we wear life jackets.

How well can your kids swim because mine are 9 and 11 and haven’t worn buoyancy aids for years? If swimming in lochs/sea they tend to have wetsuits on so that helps with flotation a bit. I should add I always swim with them.

Azandme · 27/05/2025 12:38

You buy the one that's best at keeping them alive, and they wear it or don't swim.

Not even sure why you would consider anything else. Comfy and dead, isn't a plan, is it?