Your little one is hugely excited to go swimming or you're on countdown to that long awaited holiday. But wait, which is the best swimming aid to choose, so you have the peace of mind that your child will be safe and comfortable in the water? There is so much choice!!
What do you need to consider?
Does the aid have sufficient buoyancy to keep your child a float?
Is your child’s body correctly supported in the water?
Do they have enough mobility in the water so they can freely use their arms and legs?
Is the aid fitted securely so they can’t easily wiggle free or through it?
How long will your child need to use the aid?
Why it’s important to consider these?
Does the aid have sufficient buoyancy to keep your child a float?
The amount of buoyancy your child needs will depend on their age, size, strength and the amount of swimming they have already done. However I would be mindful not to expect your child to be at the same level they were before the pandemic started. It's been over a year since we have been able to do any swimming unless you own your own pool or live near the sea (lucky you).So your child may need additional support now compared to perhaps a year ago. Looking at swimming aids which give you that flexibility in the amount of buoyancy it offers will be beneficial so it can grow with your child’s progress.
Is your child’s body correctly supported in the water?
Young children haven’t developed muscles to independently hold themselves in the water yet, which is why they naturally use doggy paddle strokes with their legs performing a cycling (running) action. This technique isn't very efficient and it can quickly become exhausting for the child. Hence why having a swimming aid is vital to their safety and for them to have fun for longer periods of time.
Do they have enough mobility in the water so they can freely use their arms and legs?
By giving them maximum body mobility, especially their arms and legs, they can begin to build up their muscle strength and have the opportunity to start practicing the correct swimming techniques. This in turn also creates muscle memory so the child intuitively starts to position themselves correctly in the water over time and with enough practice. A swimming aid gives them that opportunity to do this in a safe way.
Is the aid fitted securely so they can’t easily wiggle free or through it?
This is especially important for those children who are particularly apprehensive or anxious of the water. By having the feeling of extra buoyancy it will more likely give them the confidence and sense of being safe to give it a go. The aids which fit around the torso are more likely to help with this.
How long will your child need to use the aid?
This will depend on your child and how they feel in the water. Some swimming aids are more adaptable to a child growing and something to consider especially if you go for the more expensive aids on offer.
So what is on the market?
There is a wide range of different flotation devices on the market and they all do the job in slightly different ways. Some support your child with the flotation device being affixed just on their backs like the Shark fin, Aqua plane or Turtle pack. Others will support the child around the torso such as the swim vests or jackets. Then you have the classic noodles, floats, arm bands and rubber rings which you’ll need to inflate with air each time your child gets in the water. New on the market is the Orca swim trainer which is an all-in-one adjustable swimsuit with integrated floats in the back and front of the costume. You can remove the floats one at a time as your child increases their strength and capability (there are 9 flat float pads in total). And with adjustable straps it grows with the child.
Which one to choose?
Over the course of a number of years our swimming expert has used or is familiar with all the products below so shares with you her experience of them so you can decide which works best for you and your requirements for your little one.
Shark Fin
Price: £29.94*
Pros: Has multiple uses - works for younger children learning to swim and the seasoned swimmer who wishes to improve their stroke techniques.
Easy to get on and off with adjustable straps.
Cons: Gives complete mobility of arms and legs.
The buoyancy on the back causes the body to be pushed down into the water so the child is continually having to work hard to lift their head up.
Straps can easily ride up under the arms causing possible soreness.
Very bulky to fit in a suitcase.
Difficult to transition from front to back whilst moving.
Aqua plane
Price: £29.99*
Pros: Same as above.
Cons: Lightweight and less bulky.
The buoyancy on the back causes the body to be pushed into the water so the child is continually having to lift their head up which causes legs to drop.
Swim jacket
Price: From £22.99*
Pros: Gives complete mobility of arms and legs.
Some brands give UV protection due to the material used.
Buoyancy is created with floats dotted around the torso.
Cons: They have a tendency to rise up the body around the neck which makes it very uncomfortable to swim in.
There are limited amounts of floats which reduces the control over how much buoyancy the child can have.
Float suit
Price: From £11.99
Pros: Gives mobility of arms and legs.
Quick drying material to make it easy to get on and off.
Buoyancy is created with floats dotted around the torso.
There are limited amounts of floats which reduces the control over how much buoyancy the child can have.
Cons: Bulky for the child.
Not snug around the torso so can ride up or be very loose. Cannot just take 1 float out at a time - needs to be in a specific sequence.
Arm bands
Price: £2.99 - £7
Pros: Cheap
Keeps your child a float
Cons: Only allows the child to bob and kick around as the arms are not moving much.
Restricts movement of the arms too much.
Gives a false sense of buoyancy.
Bulky for the child and can cause rashes and soreness around armpits.
Noodles
Price: £1.75 - £5
Pros: Cheap
Versatile - great to have fun and play with.
Used alongside other training aids.
Cons: Restricts movement of arms.
All or nothing - if the child lets go there is nothing keeping them up.
Turtle Pack
Price: £50
Pros: Has multiple uses - works for younger children learning to swim and the seasoned swimmer who wishes to improve their stroke techniques.
Easy to get on and off with adjustable straps.
Gives complete mobility of arms and legs
Cons: Expensive
Very bulky to fit in a suitcase.
Only a 3 float progression.
Being on the back over a large surface area means it strains the neck when having to lift the head to breath.
Orca swim trainer
Price: £37- £40
Pros: Gives complete mobility of arms and legs.
There are 9 floats integrated around the body to maximise balance and control.
Has adjustable straps to fit snugly around your child as they grow.
Poppers on shorts for ease of nappy changes or going to the toilet.
The Graduation system enables the child to develop over time which means their strength and endurance build greatly.
Convenient float pad pockets to take out when doing survival skills.
Can easily move from front to back when moving.
Cons: Can be worn from 18 months until 7 - no other use as your child gets older.
Limited in colours.
*Prices obtained from Amazon for comparison
The Verdict
Our choice would be the Orca swim trainer. For a child from ages 18 months - 6/7 years old (depending on the size of the child) the Orca swim trainer is a game changer for children learning to swim. It correctly supports their bodies where the child is lacking muscle due to their physiological developmental age (the torso/core). The progressive system works really nicely as you can take out the float pads as and when needed when the child is ready. It grows with the child. It’s very beneficial for children who are particularly anxious or have disabilities.
Overall it seems to check all the boxes for affordability, longevity for the child, and providing a second skin so the child can move, play and learn their essential swimming skills.
Our second choice would be the float jacket as again it is around the torso/core and enables free movement of the arms but just isn't progressive or adjustable and unfortunately rides up by their chin.
Disclaimer
It’s really important to recognise that whilst all the swimming aids give your child the ability to stay buoyant and above the water, you do still need to supervise them at all times when they’re in the water. They are not life saving devices.
Prices are correct as from 22/6/21
