Lately I have been teaching my step daughter how to swim and I can't help but think about how flawed floaties are as a swimming aid, they are good at keeping kids arms a float but I find that unless you are constantly holding onto your child their head will still go under water (which I think is just dangerous and I can't help but wonder how many children have drowned because parents have put too much trust in their child's floaties).
Anyway I just found this on the internet, it's called a 'RippSaver' and it looks like it would solve a lot of the flaws that floaties have.
www.indiegogo.com/projects/rippsaver-safe-fun-in-the-water-for-all-ages--2#/
What do you guys think?

the little jacket with foam blocks that one can add or remove, achieves same effect...?

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Mark _australia said..
the little jacket with foam blocks that one can add or remove, achieves same effect...?

I think I know the jacket you are talking about, I think it is called a 'bubble' or something like that. I have thought about buying one of those too but they seem to force children horizontal in the water and restrict freedom of movement (which probably causes some problems as well).

Looks like if the child leaned forward the float would go down the waist/chest as the shirt stretched and the child would now be floating upside down.

Do not teach your child to flap around with flotation devices. Teach your child water safety and how to rescue themselves first, then learn how to swim.

Edit; stop "teaching" your child to swim and take them to a swim school.where you like the look of the way lessons are tauggt and the teachers. Interaction with the children.

Remember as much as you and I love the water,it can be completely terrifying to a grom,moreso as they get older.

I could go to most swims schools and take away all of their "flotation devices" and sadly most kids would become scared or sink. So many good kickers out there but groms that cannot save themselves. Sorry to sound harsh,but deluded parents trying to teach themselves is just as dangerous,or in reality will take longer to teach the child to swim,as once they have been spooked it very difficult to win their trust back.

So.find a good school with good teachers. Or use a bit of common sense.

Here is a tip to see how child reacts to water and where could start teaching from.

Will the child put their face in the water?

Will the child open their eyes underwater?

Will the child then go underwater and get a toy of the bottom?

Obviously all without floaties.

Also never make a child do something that are afraidd of no matter how much you think they should not be

Swimming is fun,being taught to save yourself is life changing

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Dan30 said..
(some "I'm not spamming" BS)
www.indiegogo.com/projects/rippsaver-safe-fun-in-the-water-for-all-ages--2#/
What do you guys think?

I think your spamming skills are better than most, Mr 1st post pimp, but not as good as you think.
Your product doesn't even exist yet - it has exactly $284 raised towards development. Good luck with that there's a long way to go.

I can't see the market for yet another floaty swimming aid. This one solves all your 'problems' and my kid loved it to death.
swimfin.com.au/

Pimp elsewhere.

My kids have been in specialised swimming squads since they were 4 and lessons from 2. Cost a bloody fortune but it's worth it knowing 8 yr old son could now qualify for the state championships time wise if he so chose. meaning he's a bloody strong swimmer already.

Couldnt think of anything worse to be honest...

I wouldn't go for the Rippers but I thought the little scallywags' mommies were pretty good.

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chrispy said..
Do not teach your child to flap around with flotation devices. Teach your child water safety and how to rescue themselves first, then learn how to swim.

Edit; stop "teaching" your child to swim and take them to a swim school.where you like the look of the way lessons are tauggt and the teachers. Interaction with the children.

Remember as much as you and I love the water,it can be completely terrifying to a grom,moreso as they get older.

I could go to most swims schools and take away all of their "flotation devices" and sadly most kids would become scared or sink. So many good kickers out there but groms that cannot save themselves. Sorry to sound harsh,but deluded parents trying to teach themselves is just as dangerous,or in reality will take longer to teach the child to swim,as once they have been spooked it very difficult to win their trust back.

So.find a good school with good teachers. Or use a bit of common sense.

Here is a tip to see how child reacts to water and where could start teaching from.

Will the child put their face in the water?

Will the child open their eyes underwater?

Will the child then go underwater and get a toy of the bottom?

Obviously all without floaties.

Also never make a child do something that are afraidd of no matter how much you think they should not be

Swimming is fun,being taught to save yourself is life changing

Exactely rite! I am a qualified swim teacher (did not work as one for years) but you never teach any body to swim wits a floating aid.
First you must explain that the body as a natural floatation ability and get the kid comfortable in the arrow position floating on the belly.
Then explain that swimming is the way to move in the water and also to keep the head out of it to breathe.
But again NEVER EVER teach swimming with floatation devices. Floatation devices (NOT THE ARM BRACES) are for safety for kids that cant swim and are playing around a body of water.

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chrispy said...
Do not teach your child to flap around with flotation devices. Teach your child water safety and how to rescue themselves first, then learn how to swim.

Edit; stop "teaching" your child to swim and take them to a swim school.where you like the look of the way lessons are tauggt and the teachers. Interaction with the children.

Remember as much as you and I love the water,it can be completely terrifying to a grom,moreso as they get older.

I could go to most swims schools and take away all of their "flotation devices" and sadly most kids would become scared or sink. So many good kickers out there but groms that cannot save themselves. Sorry to sound harsh,but deluded parents trying to teach themselves is just as dangerous,or in reality will take longer to teach the child to swim,as once they have been spooked it very difficult to win their trust back.

So.find a good school with good teachers. Or use a bit of common sense.

Here is a tip to see how child reacts to water and where could start teaching from.

Will the child put their face in the water?

Will the child open their eyes underwater?

Will the child then go underwater and get a toy of the bottom?

Obviously all without floaties.

Also never make a child do something that are afraidd of no matter how much you think they should not be

Swimming is fun,being taught to save yourself is life changing

Spot on. I've been doing swimming / water lessons with my daughter since she was 16 weeks old and whilst she is still only 14 months old, the results have been amazing. Whilst it might all be fun and songs on the surface, places like The Swim School have programs that DIY swimming lessons don't even come close to replicating.

Get them taught professionally..... What does it cost?
A well taught child in the pool is priceless........ What is your child worth?

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Gizmo said..
Get them taught professionally..... What does it cost?
A well taught child in the pool is priceless........ What is your child worth?

^This!


I'd give you more green thumbs if I could...

youve probably realized by now that floaties are a toy and probably not suitable for children. I recall them coming out when we were kids. Mum bought a pair and my little sister promptly put them on and jumped in the pool when no-one was looking. strangely it was our cat freaking out that alerted us to the drowning 5 year old.
never seen a set of floaties since near our kids. . i would have thought they would have been banned by now

We have been having out kids taught swimming professionally since 3 mnths of age, and so they could enjoy free time in the pool when young we would put them in a rash vest type of wetsuit that had an inbuilt life vest. It was great because we could go and have a coffee .................... just kidding. It was great because the kids got experience the freedom of swimming unaided while supervised.

I would not recommend using floaties for children. I too use the rash vest wetsuit to teach my kids how to swim.

Place the child in an approved swimming school with an accredited swim teacher. stops bad habits before start. vests and float devices ant the answer. and you find kids learn better and quicker once removed from the security and reassurance your relationship provides them.

Agree with the above, pool noodles are better than those floaties too. If your child needs a flotation device you also need to be in the pool. We live on an island and every child needs to lean how to swim.

With 2 kids growing up beside the water, it is soooooooooo important that little ones are safe in the water. Starting lessons at 3 months - my guys do not know what is like to not know how to swim. They have been safe around water since they could walk and more importantly, confident and respectful of the water. That is real peace of mind .......

Floatation devices really provide a false sense of security if kids are near the water regularly.

Invest in swimming lessons. You'll never regret it.