Puddle jumpers are practically a toddler and preschooler uniform at the beach or pool and it?s easy to see why these flotation devices?which also go by names like life vest and swim aid and are similar to a pair of water wings but with a vest attaching the two padded arms?are so popular. They?re not as bulky as a lifejacket making them easy to put on and more comfortable for the kid. They?re also usually brightly coloured or covered in beloved animated characters which makes kids want to wear them.
But, despite their popularity, puddle jumpers are actually really unsafe, say swim safety experts. There are a few issues here. One is their suitability as a flotation device. ?I wouldn’t classify them necessarily as a toy, but they haven’t undergone the same kind of rigorous testing and they’re not made of the same material as a life jacket or a PFD,? says Pamela Fuselli, president and CEO of injury prevention non-profit Parachute, who notes they aren?t approved for boating use by Transport Canada. Another issue is the position the vests put kids in in the water. Because of their design, the device puts swimmers in an upright position? head up, feet down and arms floating to the sides. This is actually referred to as the drowning position and is dangerous for kids to get comfortable in. ?Kids will build muscle memory from being vertical and this is a very scary situation,? says Rishona Hyman, owner of Aqua Essence Swim Academy in Winnipeg. ?If they forget to pu...