Would I be unreasonable to warn my family of the dangers of puddle jumpers?

Some Americans call certain small planes/short routes 'puddle jumpers', but assumed it wasn't that. 🤣

Of course they know that they can’t swim without them!!!
It’s like a child wearing arm bands or using a float, removing them makes them sink!! 🤣
I’m sure a child knows this!!!!

I actually think the only really dangerous choice the parents have made is if they've sent three young children over 'for a pool day' with you as sole adult - I don't think that's a ratio I would be happy with.

My two have never used any sort of flotation device for this reason (and have had swimming ‘lessons’ since a few months old) You’re absolutely right that they lead to a false sense of security. Yes, the tinies have no awareness either way, but at 3+ they will know to be aware of the dangers of water rather than thinking ‘weeeeeeeee!’. I also read about swimming costume colours the other day and will be getting mine brighter colours for next time (no more blues or greens from now on) Yes, as parents we should always be watching them but accidents/distractions do happen so better to reduce risk as much as possible.

I thought puddle jumpers were those all in one waterproofs so was thoroughly confused about how they could be dangerous

YANBU, but if my children were being looked after by someone with a pool, I'd expect that someone to be keeping a close eye on them. Regardless of swimming ability/ floatation aids.

Exactly. You can’t leave toddlers in pools no matter what they are wearing.

It's your pool - can't you say you're not comfortable at all with anyone who isn't having swimming lessons going in it any more from now on, so before the next time they come (before next year?) you need to know they're signed up for some lessons. Could you even treat them to some lessons?

Basically I think you have a right to speak up about this because it's your pool - I'd worry more about looking like an arsehole if you were not the owner of the pool. As it is, you get to make the rules about who goes in it and to be fussy about whether or not they've at least started learning to swim.

I think you're overestimating the specific dangers of flotation devices, and perhaps underestimating the dangers of having children able to access water unsupervised at all. You can't trust a young child not to jump in whether or not they've ever used a flotation device - in its own way, your belief that they'd be safer never having used a puddle jumper because they wouldn't jump in is also very dangerous false confidence. Never using a flotation device is very hard to implement practically unless you always have a more than 1:1 ratio of children to adults, which most families can't.

The absolute key thing is that children should never be unsupervised in water, and should never be able to access water unsupervised, not what they're using or not using while supervised. Ungated pools and leaving children alone near pools or when they could get near a pool are the actual danger (and are why Trigg Kiser died).

I think you're overreacting. You're basing your dislike of these things on "speculation", when the main factor is that the child was unsupervised.

Non swimmers/young kids should never be left unsupervised around water regardless what flotation device you are or aren’t using. These devices don’t mimic the correct position for swimming but holiday isn’t a swimming lesson and so long as the kids are enrolled in proper lessons by 5 years old I don’t see the issue. Yes they can also make a child over confident around water and if they’re very young they may not understand that they can’t swim without it, but that’s also a non issue if the kids are always fully supervised around water. Sounds like they just want a fun day at the pool without the kids constantly clinging to an adult. I don’t get the issue unless you’re suggesting the parents don’t properly supervise them?? That child in America wasn’t being supervised so whilst it’s utterly tragic it’s a terrible example to apply to your nieces. The blue/green swimsuit thing is also neither here nor there with young kids requiring constant supervision because they’re never out of your eyeline- it’s advice aimed at older kids swimming at a lifeguarded pool e.g. at a camp or something because they may not be obvious if they go under water.

I’m not going to debate various safety things, because your question is about whether to say something to the parents. As these are your nieces & nephews, I’d assume at least one parent is a sibling of yours? I don’t think there’s any harm in quietly saying something like, “I’m sure you probably already know this, but I’ve read some worrying things about puddle jumpers recently.” My place of choice would always be in the kitchen while you’re both doing something, because to me I always feel like when you’re having a potentially awkward conversation it’s useful to have something else to focus on and an easy exit if needed.

I think it’s a bit of a jump. I have been following the very sad drowning case of Trigg Kiser (I once lived in Chandler, Phoenix). Not seen anything mentioned about puddle jumpers. The boy tripped on an inflatable pool chair whilst he was left unattended by his dad who was watching a sports game he had placed a bet on.

The parents had no fence. And the dad said his son knew not to go near the pool as if that means anything re a 3 yo. Very sad. Poor mite was seen treading water for 2 mins 😢

This must be the 21st century version of armbands? Even with them on, the children still need the fear of 'whoever-might-reside-on-a-fluffy-cloud' putting into them about not going near the pool etc.
I really thought this was going to be about staying away from children jumping in puddles so as to not get wet and muddy!

Even if they can swim, an adult needs to be in the pool with them when they are little. Supervision is the key thing, not flotation aids nor being able to swim.

And being able to swim can give a false of security when they are older in itself, as they also need to know what an unsafe stretch of water looks like.

Not that I'm saying they shouldn't learn to swim, but it wouldn't matter if a four or five year old could swim, as they are still little and someone should be with them.

You are correct about the false sense of security, but I would leave the choice of floatation devices to the parents. But, when children are at your house, you can set the rules...which should be adult supervision at all times.

I have had to rescue several kids from my pool, usually kids who were wearing armbands and got out for something to eat/ bathroom etc. and forget to put them back on before jumping in.

Our rule is absolutely no child who isn't a confident swimmer in the garden, or access to the garden without adult supervision.

Buy proper life jackets appropriately sized and keep them at your house. Make it a house rule that all the children wear them or there is no one going anywhere near the pool.

If the parents complain, just shrug your shoulders and say “that’s the rule”.

Then it’s vital hat they learn to swim.

I thought this thread was going to be about kids jumping in puddles. I've learnt something new today.

Yanbu OP I clearly remember almost drowning while wearing armbands as a child because no one was bothering to watch me, a lifeguard had to rescue me. These type of things not only give a false sense of security to the children but also often to the adults who think that they can just leave children to their own devices in water.

It is about supervision. Children need to be supervised ALL the time when they're young. ALL the time. Puddle jumpers are great because they have an element of independence - but my children were always close by when they were small. Arm bands can come off, any floatation device could be punctured/slip etc. The only safety concern would be ANY child who is young not being watched AT ALL TIMES. And when there's more than one child, ideally they have one to one supervision. Not always possible/necessary but still.

Never having worn armbands did nothing to convince my DD2 that, either. I found out that day that I can sprint and dive into the deep end almost as quickly as a two year old can make a break for it and jump right in.