WATER SAFETY TIPS
The Hazards of Using Floaties
By “floaties”, we mean: arm bands, inflatable rings, rafts, noodles, puddle jumpers, etc.
Flotation devices such as these “float” children in a vertical position. Head sticking up, feet hanging down, arms out to the side with legs bicycling to move around the pool. They are learning that this position in the water is how to get air and this inappropriate posture is what they will return to if they happen to get into the pool without the flotation device.
A child that plays in floaties will not learn how to maintain their own buoyancy, and will panic quite quickly if they find themselves in the pool without one of these devices, or if one of the arm floats falls off, or the noodle gets away from them, or they fall off the raft or ring… this poor posture caused by flotation devices will likely affect a child’s ability to perform the necessary skills if they lose the flotation device or fall in the water without it.
The scariest part about flotation devices is that children that wear them think they can swim. Young children
simply cannot make the cognitive
connection that the flotation
device is what is allowing them to
breathe and play with their head
sticking up in the pool.
As for our skilled ISR students,
what are the best toys to play with
in the water? First of all, MOM and
DAD! Secondly, sinking toys and
dive toys that will encourage head
down, horizontal postures in the
water. Children from 6 months to
6 years old that do not yet
have ISR Self-Rescue® skills can
visit our website at
to find out more.
Stay safe!