Only armbands?

[cjt110]

Going swimming with DS tomorrow. He's 4 and can't swim. We usually take a swim ring and arm bands. He floats about on his own (with me in safe grabbing distance. Except last time we went, I binned the swim ring as I spent more time inflating it than him being in it.

Just realised the above and now can't find one - have called several tores who havent got their swim accessories in season yet. Otherwise it means ordering and it obv won't be here in time.

He'll be ok won't he?

Yep, get him to kick and that will give him more stability!

Does the pool have floats to use? Could be a temporary solution

I see it as an either or situation. Isn't 2 a bit overkill?

Never used both.

I didn't learn to swim until 2 years or so ago... I always think it's safer with both rather than one.

It might be safer but it doesn't give much prep for actually learning to swim which I presume is a goal you have for your child.

Buy a woggle at the pool if they sell them. I think most do. He'd be much better on just a woggle than in armbands and/ or ring.

My 3 year old swims around with just armbands fine .

If they don't sell them the pool may lend you one. They are pretty universally used for lessons.

A rubber ring + armbands sounds restrictive and definitely overkill for a 4 year old. He’ll be fine with just the armbands. And get him signed up for swimming lessons soon.

He will be fine. Armbands are enough. Is there a part of the pool he is old enough to stand at? At 4 I would start letting him mess about without armbands so long as I was beside him. Obviously use the arm bands when at deeper bits though.

Ditch the armbands and get a pool noodle under his armpits. He will never learn to swim in armbands and swim ring!

Get rid of the armbands and get a zoggy back float - much better at teaching them to swim as opposed to helping them float on the surface. www.amazon.co.uk/Zoggs-Kids-Zoggy-Back-Float/dp/B003891RMA/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ref=plSrch&keywords=zoggy+back+float&dpPl=1&dpID=41mCpil-rUL&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1550776035&sr=8-1

I know it's scary when you yourself aren't a confident swimmer but making your DS super-buoyant isn't helping him at all.

Most swim schools don't use inflatable arm rings now. Noodles or woggles are better. Also, as a new swimmer yourself I'm guessing you aren't overly confident? Get him into lessons ASAP.. Like most things it's much easier to learn younger than older and swimming us a hugely important life skill for safety, fun, health and fitness and general all round confidence near water.