Best swimming aids

elliejjtiny · 2023-03-20T13:33:53+00:00

3 dc have been invited to a swimming party in a 25 metre normal pool with no slides/wave machine etc but there is an inflatable. Dh is working away and I can't go in the pool because AF is visiting. But it's ok as my dad volunteers to take them. Dc are so excited and the birthday child is all hyped up etc. Then I find out that no other parents are going in the pool, just my dad. Not even the birthday child's parents. I'm a bit uneasy about this tbh but they are so excited I feel really mean about backing out at this point. So does anyone recommend what kind of thing to send them with like arm bands etc for my own peace of mind? I've seen children wear things that look a bit like a life jacket, are they any good? Youngest can't swim, middle one can swim about 5 metres and eldest regularly swims in the river so not worried about him, just the 2 younger ones. I know realistically they will be fine and there are loads of parents who take 3 dc with only one who can swim all the time.

LadyGAgain · 20/03/2023 13:43

Not a chance I would be sending any child into a large pool with a giant inflatable without being a competent swimmer. What if they get trapped under? They need to be able to get themselves out of a situation. It's really different for a parent to take two kids to a pool when they can't both swim versus kids going mental on an inflatable. Sorry OP I wouldn't let them go but I would take them for another treat as they will be really disappointed. Unfortunately this isn't "might get hurt". It's might drown.
(And I'm a fan of the pool, our kids swim but I wouldn't allow youngest (who can swim) to be on an inflatable without strong adult supervision within the pool just yet. For context she's 6 and has been in a pool at least weekly since she was 6 weeks old.

LadyGAgain · 20/03/2023 13:44

Ah sorry for being unhelpful about swimming aids. Ours have never had them.

Bustard · 20/03/2023 14:10

Depending on what the inflatable is like a life vest could actually be really dangerous as if they end up underneath the inflatable the life vest will pin them there and not allow them to swim down to the bottom to free themselves.

It would be a no from me for the non-swimmers if the inflatable is one of those big bounce on things. For the capable swimmer I'd let them go but with an adult (you or your dad) keeping an eye.

NoLostCause · 20/03/2023 14:13

If they can't swim then I wouldn't let them go, sorry. Inflatables are hard to lifeguard properly, there are blind spots and so many places they can fall off and get into trouble. Plus I'd be wary of any floatation device - what if they were pushed under a big inflatable by momentum and then because they were being pulled upwards by armbands they couldn't get themselves out from under it properly?

FlounderingFruitcake · 20/03/2023 14:22

Is it a birthday party for a friend of your eldest where they’re all of an age where you’d expect competent swimming and to not need supervision but they parents have sent a generic siblings welcome message? Otherwise this just sounds really strange. But sorry, I don’t think it’s safe for 1 adult to supervise 2 non swimmers, especially when there are inflatables involved so you can’t see as clearly and flotation devices can actually be a liability and trap them under. In your circumstances, I’d just send the eldest.

Original poster

elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 14:35

Thankyou. Trying to be vague in case the hosting parent sees it and gets upset but it's my youngest who is the same age as the birthday child and I am friends with the parent which is why all 3 of my dc were invited. I only found out about the inflatable after I (stupidly without knowing all the details) agreed to them going. I don't know much about the inflatable, how big etc but the dc getting trapped underneath was my prime concern too. I wasn't sure if I was just being over protective as a lot of people think I am. I'm leaning towards not going but no idea how I can explain to the host without causing offense. I think my dad will be just as disappointed as the dc too!

OP posts:

Soubriquet · 20/03/2023 14:39

Weve used things like these

Not cheap but I really rate them

Londono · 20/03/2023 14:42

You can buy period swimming costumes if that helps? Then you could join them in the water comfortably?

LadyDanburysHat · 20/03/2023 14:42

Swimming pools usually have rules on these things. My DS is a lifeguard at the pool I sued to take the DC to when younger. Parties with DC aged under 8 must have an adult for every two children. And any children that the lifeguards think are not strong enough swimmers are given arm bands by them. They also have extra lifeguards for these types of parties.

SnowAndFrostOutside · 20/03/2023 14:44

They can't go even if your dad is in the pool. It's far too dangerous to rely on only the lifeguards. DC have been to pool parties but that was year 6 and they were all very competent swimmers by then. I would not risk it for a couple of hours of fun.

SnowAndFrostOutside · 20/03/2023 14:45

LadyDanburysHat · 20/03/2023 14:42

Swimming pools usually have rules on these things. My DS is a lifeguard at the pool I sued to take the DC to when younger. Parties with DC aged under 8 must have an adult for every two children. And any children that the lifeguards think are not strong enough swimmers are given arm bands by them. They also have extra lifeguards for these types of parties.

That's very reassuring. I didn't know this at all. I only saw the lifeguards standing outside the pool but there were quite a few of them for the two parties there. But the kids are all competent swimmers so probably why I didn't notice.

Bustard · 20/03/2023 14:46

elliejjtiny · 20/03/2023 14:35

Thankyou. Trying to be vague in case the hosting parent sees it and gets upset but it's my youngest who is the same age as the birthday child and I am friends with the parent which is why all 3 of my dc were invited. I only found out about the inflatable after I (stupidly without knowing all the details) agreed to them going. I don't know much about the inflatable, how big etc but the dc getting trapped underneath was my prime concern too. I wasn't sure if I was just being over protective as a lot of people think I am. I'm leaning towards not going but no idea how I can explain to the host without causing offense. I think my dad will be just as disappointed as the dc too!

Ohh tough one. If you really, really don't want to tell them you're concerned about safety then I think you'll have to tell them (and your DC) that your dad is sick and can't supervise them so they can't go. Or say you got your dates confused and DH is actually away and you don't feel comfortable going with them alone.

What would the younger non swimmers do in the water anyway? Is the idea that they bounce on the inflatable and if they fall in then they stay afloat with their swimming aid?

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 20/03/2023 14:46

Our local pool only does the inflatable things for plus 7 years, and they have to swim.

Kids who can't swim aren't usually allowed in the main pool without an adult.

How old is the birthday child?

Youcancallmeirrelevant · 20/03/2023 14:47

Anx you can still swim when on period, just wear a tampon or period swimwear as PP said

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 20/03/2023 14:47

www.stuff4pools.co.uk/product/zoggs-bobin-jacket-childs-swimming-jacket/

The BOBIN jacket with the foam inserts is what we used years ago for our DS as he got more confident we removed the foam inserts

LadyDanburysHat · 20/03/2023 14:47

@SnowAndFrostOutside at the pool my son works at I think there are at least 4 lifeguards around the pool, and if there are a few younger ones, they might have one in the water too. I guess this depends on the OPs DC ages to if I would feel comfortable with it or not.

FlounderingFruitcake · 20/03/2023 14:47

Gosh how old is your youngest? Is yours later than average to learn to swim? Swimming pools usually have a minimum age of 8 for unaccompanied swimming, so I would have expected birthday child and friends would be no younger than 8-9 years old, and surely more like 10 for all the other parents to be fully comfortable with it. However, that would be late for yours not to be swimming at all, and it would be embarrassing for them to be wearing armbands and be with Grandad. Sorry I know you’re trying to be vague on purpose but I’m struggling to understand the ages of the kids here. If it’s a bunch of 6 years olds or something then the pool surely won’t allow it.

But regardless, non swimmers and flotation devices should be an absolute no-go where inflatables are involved.

SnowAndFrostOutside · 20/03/2023 14:50

@FlounderingFruitcake I'm expecting the same age as you said. 10+. The first pool party I've been I think was year 6! So all children are age 10 and 11 at least. Inflatables are quite big and difficult to navigate for smaller children. (I'm thinking aqua warrior types which we have in a local pool).

Blondeshavemorefun · 20/03/2023 14:50

Swimming pool parties are the worst

No parent /adult wants to get in the pool for 2 hrs

Ask host what safety measures /adults are in the pool

She needs to pay some old teenagers /adults to be in the pool

Maybe ring the pool up and ask what safety measures they have in place

It would be a no from me

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 20/03/2023 14:51

BTW the one on the link is for little children but other searches show they go much bigger in size as well

The advantage is that their arms can move freely

Although I would say the parents hosting the party should employ extra lifeguards to help with supervising the children as it isn't really a safe environment for them without people in the water

From the edge how will they see a child under the inflatable or even keep count of them all

Glittertwins · 20/03/2023 14:53

I'd be surprised they'd be allowed in the pool if they can't swim. Our local leisure centre doesn't allow it and have even checked the ability of the children before. It's the reason why we've never done pool parties for DCs

SUBisYodrethwhenLarping · 20/03/2023 14:56

How many children are invited and what age range?

Is there any chance of them being able to stand in the shallow end or not?

Or will they have to cling on the side or tread water?

Do your children understand about lying on their back like a star fish to rest from treading water?

CatOnTheChair · 20/03/2023 15:54

How old are the kids?
Pool parties I've been to are all under 8s to accompanied in the water.
None swimmers not allowed on the inflatable - this was like a giant bouncy castle obstacle course, and you HAD to swim from where you fell off to the edge.

I think there might be some surprises on party day - unless you are going to say the kids are 10,12 and 14 and so all expected to be able to swim if accepting a pool party invite.

Treeeeeeee · 20/03/2023 16:26

I would be very surprised if they were even allowed in. My local pools are very strict on being able to swim a minimum of 25m if the inflatable is in the pool. Maybe now is the time to get them swimming lessons

Scotinoz · 20/03/2023 17:15

I went to a hell on earth swimming party last month. The party kids were 7, turning 8. Each kid needed an adult in the pool, although they were all actually quite decent, so I’d actually be amazed if your pool didn’t have a similar requirement.

Not help on floaties though since our kids didn’t use anything except a noodle.