swimmer aid for kids

[imported_John o]

Sorry if this is in the wrong place but I figured it would get visibility here and the mods would put it where it belongs (Where is that?)

My child is 9. She has taken swim lessons and can swim the length of a high school pool.

The problem I have is in the lake. I do not swim well at all so normally I make her wear a life jacket whenever the boat is moving or she's in the water.

I just bought a sofina carribean island and it seems kind of silly to have her in a jacket full time (that is, she won't get full enjoyment of the toys if she's in a jacket) but I don't want to take excessive risks either. She's my only child.

I've been trying to find something that would serve as emergency flotation but that would also let her swim freely. I wanted something that could be tied to her yet not restrain her. Kind of like a lifeguard floation noodle (but without "lifeguard" written on it).

During this search Istumbeled across the aquajogger belt for kids (http://www.swimoutlet.com/product_p/2360.htm). It's supposed to be able to support up to 95 lbs and helps the kids learn to swim better.

Does anyone have experience with something like this. Is it safe under adult supervision?

I figure if she does well with something like this we can graduate to soemthing on a tether and then to free swim when her skills reach that point.

(I may even get one of these for me)

Please let me know.

 

[drrpm]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

Its far better to improve your swimming skills than to depend on a floatie. It looks like a reasonable product, but most people will use it as a crutch. Then if it comes off or you end up in the water without it you're in trouble.

My opinion as a former lifeguard/WSI and now a father of 3 good swimmers is that both of you should take some swimming lessons and work to get comfortable in the water. Then forget about floatation devices other than your PFD.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

My opinion as a former lifeguard/WSI and now a father of 3 good swimmers is that both of you should take some swimming lessons and work to get comfortable in the water. Then forget about floatation devices other than your PFD.

The problem here is that she is very comfortable in the water. And I'm not comfortable with her being so comfortable yet. I don't think her skills are practiced enough to swim without a safety net.

(She had three years of lessons and then swam for our local swim club for a couple years. Pretty much just practice and learning but well enough to do laps without touching bottom).

So do you have any experience with this sort of swimmer's aid?

 

[drrpm]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

I don't have any experience with that product. When I was a swimming instructor the only floating aid I used was a kickboard.
It sounds like your daughter is a pretty good swimmer and that the float is for your peace of mind, which is quite understandable. If you're not comfortable in the water yourself, you'll never be comfortable with her in the water, at least until she's big enough to save you .
I think that the best thing you can do is improve your own swimming skills. Once you're comfortable in the water most of your anxiety will fade away.

 

[HappierWet]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

It sounds like your daughter is a pretty good swimmer and that the float is for your peace of mind, which is quite understandable. If you're not comfortable in the water yourself, you'll never be comfortable with her in the water, at least until she's big enough to save you .
I think that the best thing you can do is improve your own swimming skills. Once you're comfortable in the water most of your anxiety will fade away.

This is GOOD advice.
You say you're on a lake, so current and tides should not be a concern. which would be my only reason for tethering to a boat. Having a line means there is something to get tangled in, and that might cause panic. Have a throwable device readily available. Keep an eye on wind and wakes and don't let her get overtired.
If you have a tube throw that over the side so she has something to hang on.
Again don't leave a bunch of line overboard.
She'll want to show off for daddy what she's learned.
Good Luck

 

[Lrider]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

the first time one of my kids flipped over with one of those belts scared the hell out of me.

I paid to have all my kids learn to play water polo one summer, age 4, 5 an 9

best thing I ever did for them to this day they can tread water for an hour or more

 

[J. Howard]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

...but I don't want to take excessive risks either. She's my only child.

Perhaps you should have more children so you can take more risks! Just kidding! Couldn't resist.

 

[Lrider]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

was out at the boat ramp this morning and saw a young lady in a very lite vest, I asked her dad what it was. It is a Hyperlite Life Jacket, not cheap but, according to the kid, very comfortable, she was 8

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

I have a 12 year old daughter who is almost completed all of the necessary training for lifeguarding.

She's part fish, but fortunately so am I, but I have friends who both aren't strong swimmers (read can't swim at all) and they have little ones and go through the same situation.

I'd look at it from the perspective that accidents can happen, equipment can fail, etc.

If that happens, what are YOU in a position to do. I think the other posters are right. YOU need to increase your confidence around the water and/or get yourself an assist device you can use if you need to react immediately and respond to an unlikely event.

It will in the long run benefit you and her.

 

[imported_John o]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

Perhaps you should have more children so you can take more risks! Just kidding! Couldn't resist.

Would you happen to know of any slim, attractive, 35-40 year old women interested in starting a family with a good Christian experienced husband? I'm looking but haven't found anyone yet. :^)

 

[imported_John o]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

I'd look at it from the perspective that accidents can happen, equipment can fail, etc.

If that happens, what are YOU in a position to do. I think the other posters are right. YOU need to increase your confidence around the water and/or get yourself an assist device you can use if you need to react immediately and respond to an unlikely event.

It will in the long run benefit you and her.

I am actually looking at one of these for myself too. Something that would help me learn to swim better. I am confident enough in my own abilities to save myself. (Although as a single parent I cannot take the risk of drowning because I overestimated my skills.) But I'm not sure I could reach her fast enough to save her. Hence the need for some peace of mind flotation.

 

[FunInDuhSun]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

Consider those manually-activated inflatable PFD's. They are comfortable to wear, can be immersed without inflating, and can be easily re-armed. You both should get them and wear them while in the boat or in the water.

I'm an excellent swimmer but wear an automatic inflatable every time I go out.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

i thought those swim belts had been banned years ago... guess not. As someone else mentioned, those things can drown you more often than save you!

 

[NYBo]

Re: swimmer aid for kids

Would you happen to know of any slim, attractive, 35-40 year old women interested in starting a family with a good Christian experienced husband? I'm looking but haven't found anyone yet. :^)

Match.com worked for me!

At her age, she needs to be wearing an approved PFD on the boat anyway. Have her try on a number of different styles to see what she likes best. An automatic inflatable is a great way to go, but there are few that are approved for kids.