Why We Don’t Use Floaties: What Parents Should Know
Let’s talk about floaties.
You know the ones—puddle jumpers, water wings, those cute inflatable arm bands that somehow always end up deflated in the pool bag. As a mom of two and a survival swim instructor, I totally get the appeal. They’re cute, convenient, and feel like a quick fix for water safety.
But here’s the thing: we don’t use floaties at Rhody Little Swimmers—and there’s a very good reason why.
In fact, several.
Floaties Teach the Wrong Body Position
Floaties keep kids upright in the water—aka the “drowning position.”
Children naturally adopt a vertical position when wearing them, kicking around like they’re riding an invisible bike. The problem? When those floaties come off (or slip off), their little bodies instinctively default to that same vertical stance… which leads to sinking, not swimming.
At Rhody Little Swimmers, we teach a horizontal position: one that supports floating, breath control, and real self-rescue. No gimmicks, no inflatables—just skills that actually save lives.
They Can Create a False Sense of Security
I’ve had many sweet parents tell me they thought their little one “knew how to swim” because they could paddle around in a puddle jumper. It makes sense—we see them giggling, kicking, splashing, and it feels like swimming.
But floaties aren’t swim lessons, and they don’t teach water competence. They teach reliance on gear.
In fact, studies show that reliance on flotation devices can make both parents and children less cautious around water.
Kids Learn Best Without Artificial Support
When children learn to trust their own bodies in the water, amazing things happen.
They learn how to float.
How to roll over to breathe.
How to stay calm, kick with purpose, and get to safety.
That’s why survival swim lessons are short, consistent, and completely one-on-one. No fluff—just focused time in the water learning real-life skills.
So, What Should You Use Instead?
Don’t worry—I’m not here to leave you empty-handed. If you’re heading to the beach, lake, or boat this summer, here are a few safer options for outside of lesson time:
✅ US Coast Guard-Approved Life Jackets
For boats or open water play, you do want a flotation device—but it needs to be the real deal.
Stohlquist Infant Life Jacket (Amazon)
Stohlquist Toddler/Child Life Jacket (Amazon)
They’re designed to flip a child onto their back and keep their head above water—not just float randomly upright.
✅ Fun Water Toys That Encourage Real Skills
Play is powerful! Use toys that promote real movements and confidence-building:
Just skip the arm floaties and puddle jumpers—trust me, they’re not doing your kid any favors.
Let’s Build Confident Swimmers, Not Inflated Ones
Here at Rhody Little Swimmers, I’m committed to giving your kids the real skills they need—not just to swim, but to survive. If you ever have questions or feel unsure about something you’re using at home or on vacation, just ask!
We’re in this together—floaties not included. 😉
