Pool safety for an 18 month old on first holiday abroad

[Lucy8507]

Hi, taking our 18 month old on our first holiday abroad. We have a proper life vest for him for when were at the beach but when at the pool does he need some sort of vest or float or is us holding him when in the pool the usual thing to do
Iv looked at those swimsuits that have floats in them but they are for children to help aid them to swim. Obvs he isnt doing that yet. So just wanted to know what others do.
Thanks

You need to be holding at all times in water, no other safe way

Is the pool in a fenced area? I would think a life vest and constantly being supervised is a minimium. But so is a high degree of vigilance- one of mine at 3 ran with frightening speed into a friends swimming pool which was covered at the time.

We went away last year and this year (18 months and 30 months) we just held her up in the water the whole time. She does swimming lessons each week and we just hold her in those so we did the same.

Our last holiday though has a splash pad and proper toddler pool (1ft deep) and that was a game changer in terms of letting her be a bit more independent.

Mine had those floaty jackets and they would swim between us and float around. We would always be in the water with them and within grabbing distance.

Life vest and full supervision, holding him in the pool. Don’t take your eyes off him for a moment - there seem to be sad cases of toddlers drowning in pools more frequently than you’d imagine.

Of course. Just wanted to know if people also put something on them as double protection. But then I think would that get in the way and not make you hold them as securely.

supervision and a pool noodle.

no need for a flotation vest- it can hinder learning to swim as well as giving a false sense of security- to the child as well as parent.

supervision, supervision, supervision. Near the pool, not just in it. Seen kids get out, have their flotation vest taken off, mum turns to get a towel and they jump back in…. They don’t realise they don’t float without the vest.

You’re correct. ABS makes people drive closer. We can’t help accounting for risk mitigation. Held at all times.

The thought makes me feel sick. Il be by his side the whole time when out.

Thanks

You need to be holding at all times in water, no other safe way.

This^^

I liked having a float vest that we used sometimes.

It gave something to grab on to when xhild was slimy with suncream. It let them Bob independently.

They were never out of arms reach and went in without it half the time to avoid the ‘don’t realise can sink’ issue.

We’ve just been away with our 18 month old and they refused a toddler float to sit in and screamed when held, so we ended up with a float vest and keeping they at arms length. We just stayed in the pool where they could stand!