Floatation/swimming aids for holiday

[thistooshallpasswontit]

We are going on beach/swimming pool type holiday with our dc (aged 4 and 2) soon and I am wondering what the best swim aids to take are. Arm bands? Floatation vests? Ring? Combination of all?
Neither of them can swim (eldest is learning) and we will certainly be with them at all times but I would like something to give me peace of mind after all the tragic drownings this summer.

We took a swim vest, I think they are safest as not easy to remove, don't puncture etc, to pack I took all the floaty sections out and they fitted round the edge of the case then the actually jacket bit just rolled up

We had these swim disks:

www.amazon.co.uk/Delphin-34914-Arm-Bands/dp/B0002GTK9Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=sports&ie=UTF8&qid=1347359784&sr=1-1

DD used them from 3 onwards until she could swim freely at 4. But even with them I always kept her close to me all the time as no swimming aid prevents drowning.

We use vest and rubber ring with older DD (3) and ring seat with little DD (1)

Arm bands for me. Personally hate swim vests as they put child in the wrong position in the water. Cheap, light and easily replaceable.