Why I Won’t Shut Up About Puddle Jumpers

When my children were little, summer pool season always brought a mix of joy and anxiety. As a former lifeguard, swim coach, pool manager, and swim instructor, I simply couldn’t look the other way when I saw kids bobbing around in water wings, puddle jumpers, life vests, or swimsuits with built-in flotation.

I never used flotation devices with my own children—because I knew what many parents didn’t: those devices can create a dangerous illusion of safety for both kids and adults.

Why Flotation Devices Can Be Harmful

These seemingly helpful tools actually do two dangerous things:

They give children a false sense of confidence. Kids start to believe they can swim on their own, even though they haven't actually learned the skills necessary to float or self-rescue.

They give parents a false sense of safety. I know how tempting it is to throw a life vest on your child and catch up with friends from a lounge chair. But unless your child is truly water safe, your place is in the pool—regardless of whether your makeup is done or you've skipped shaving for a few weeks.

Back in those early parenting years, I was often the only adult in the water with my children. I’d look around and see kids in floaties bobbing aimlessly while their parents scrolled on phones or chatted on the deck. It was a recipe for disaster.

The Risks Are Real

Water wings and Puddle Jumpers force children into a vertical posture—the exact opposite of what they need to float or swim effectively. Even life vests, though slightly better in body position, still act as a substitute for hands-on adult supervision.

I always taught my children these non-negotiables:

• Never enter the water without an adult.

• Your body (and possibly an adult’s hands) is your flotation device—not inflatables.

• If a toy or a friend falls into the water, get an adult. Don’t try to help on your own.

  These weren’t just rules—they were lifesaving skills.

Water Safety Starts Early

I often hear parents say, “I’ll just teach them they can’t swim unless they have their floaties on.” But that doesn’t work. The day a child decides to jump into a pool alone—thinking they can swim because floaties gave them that illusion—is the day the danger becomes real.

Swimming isn’t optional where we live. With Lake Tahoe, the Truckee River, and countless community pools around Northern Nevada, swimming is a survival skill, not just a sport.

That’s why I’m now passionate about Infant Swimming Resource (ISR). I became certified to teach ISR because it teaches the youngest children—from infants to big kids—how to float, self-rescue, and survive if they fall into water. Unlike traditional lessons, ISR equips children with real skills, not reliance on flotation devices.

If I could go back and change anything, it would be to enroll my kids in ISR lessons. At the time, ISR wasn’t available locally— I’m proud to now offer it in the Reno-Tahoe area.

Final Thoughts

Water safety isn’t about being alarmist—it’s about being realistic. Flotation devices may make things more convenient, but they can never replace a parent’s presence in the pool and independent swimming skills.

So, if your child isn’t water safe yet, skip the floaties this summer and invest in something much more valuable: your presence, your supervision, and if possible, ISR Self-Rescue® lessons.

Your child’s life may one day depend on it.