By Vaishnavi Kalakota

It’s a beautiful sunny day outside. The perfect day for a swim. As you’re getting your family ready for what is a wonderful day filled with water fun, you are deciding on whether to put a floatie or life jacket on your little one who doesn’t quite know how to swim yet. This article will teach you the differences between the two devices and why floaties are not a substitute for life jackets. 

Floaties are recreational pool devices that can be used for enjoyment and are often designed to help children learn to swim. They are not U.S. Coast Guard approved nor do they have the traditional life saving properties that life jackets have. They do not prevent drowning. 

Floaties fail for a number of reasons. First, they support the incorrect positioning for children (vertical or head down) which can be unsafe and prevent breathing. Another reason is their risk for deflation as floaties can easily pop or leak air, leaving the swimmer unable to float.

Life jackets are U.S. Coast Guard approved and have lifesaving properties. A life jacket is designed for emergency rescue and survival. They are highly buoyant, so they can turn an unconscious person face up in the water, saving their life. 

When to use a Floatie vs. a Life Jacket

Floaties are can be fine when used for supervised play or learning how to swim in an enclosed area like a swimming pool. It’s important to remember that floaties act as aids for swimming not safety devices. When a child is using a floatie to learn how to swim, strict adult supervision is necessary as floaties can easily fail or malfunction.

Always use a life jacket in bodies of open water and during boating or other water sports. Make sure you look for the U.S. Coast Guard’s seal of approval. 

These tips and information will help you make educated decisions about your family’s water safety this summer. Get more information at redcross.org.