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

[LifeOfAShowGirl]

We’ve had my two nieces and nephew over today for a day in the pool. My two youngest niece and nephew were sent with puddle jumpers.

Every time I look at them I can’t help but think of the tragic case in America of Trigg Kiser, who drowned in his family’s pool. Part of the reason was speculated to be because of the false sense of security that puddle jumpers create, because they make children feel like they can float, when they can’t. I don’t have children myself, but this case has really made me think about pool safety. Would I be unreasonable to tell them?

To help me and others, please explain what puddle jumpers are.
I could search, but others will want to know too.

This style of floating device for the pool

I think all of those floatation aids create a false sense of security for lots of parents/carers, the dangers should be spoken of more often.

They look rubbish for learning to swim with.

I just don’t know how to bring it up without sounding like a bit of an arsehole. I don’t have kids so I feel like I will. , the first one was put in swimming lessons and they can swim really well, but the others never were. Obviously when they’re at my house it’s an above ground pool and they’re supervised, but I dread to think what could happen on a holiday etc.

Have you asked the parents why they aren't getting swimming lessons? Could you give the kids an impromptu swimming lesson today?

I tried, but I’m not qualified and don’t want to teach bad habits around water safety. I also don’t think I should have to!

Surely they are only dangerous if the children weren't being supervised?

It’s not about the supervision, it’s about the false sense of security around water. When they’re not wearing them they believe they can float etc like they do when wearing them, and that’s when the danger presents itself

What happened with the little boy was a pure case of negligence, there was no one supervising the child. Are you saying that no one was supervising the kids in the pool at your house?

I’ve been supervising them all day. But the issue is that they give children a false sense of security - so if theyre alone around water, they think they can jump in

I think all kinds of worn floatation devices or arm bands are against advice now?

Better for parents to always be in water with them and close by until they’re able to swim confidently and are over 8 - they can practise with noodle or float but that parent should be there with eyes on.

my dc had arm bands, they are only unsafe if you leave the children unsupervised. As it happens due to seizures my elder dc was always in arms reach even when she could swim I had to be very close by, as an adult she swims lengths next to me.

Hate them! We used them with our daughter as we were at a family pool party many years ago. We all got out to get changed and she literally slipped through my fingers and jumped back in the pool (she was a toddler). She went under and was immediately in shock. Luckily she’d had swimming lessons so started to come up and paddle but my lifeguard cousin got her out. It happened in the blink of an eye.

Ive also seen a child get trapped in a hotel swimming pool wearing these as the parents weren’t watching him.

It's my understanding that he did not jump in, he tripped and fell in whilst his father was inside watching sport on telly and placing bets- so he was wholly unsupervised for 10+ minutes

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.

I’m m not saying that what happened to him will definitely happen - but that the case has made me aware of the need to observe water safety a lot more strictly than my family appear to be

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.

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.

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

It’s also the fact their swimming costumes are all blue/green. I think because I followed the Kiser family on social media, I’m getting a lot of water safety stuff coming up on my socials. But I don’t know how to raise it with my family without sounding like I’m being sanctimonious

Then it’s vital hat they learn to swim.

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”.

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.

While they’re obviously supervised at mine, it doesn’t take away the bigger issue which is that they don’t seem to take water safety seriously at all. That’s where I’m stumped on mentioning things