According to Healthy Children, drowning is the second leading cause of death for children age 1 to 19 --- toddlers and teenage boys are at the highest risk. Inflatable swimming aids can be beneficial for your child that is just learning to swim. However, be aware of the dangers related to using these swim aids.
Considerations
Inflatable swimming aids are not enough to keep our children safe in the water. Never use inflatable swim aids in place of life jackets. If you are boating or on water with your child, always use a lifejacket to keep him safe. Never leave your child alone when he is wearing a swimming aid because drowning accidents occur quickly.
Function
The function of inflatable swim aids is to help your child learn to swim with the aid of her parents or another adult. They allow your child a degree of independence and ability to play in the water on her own. Although swimming aids are intended for this purpose they can be dangerous if used out of context such as using them rather than using a life jacket. Although swimming aids are decorative and fun to use you should never let your guard down when your child is in the water.
Dangers
According to McKenzie Pediatrics in Springfield, Oregon, inflatable swim aids can deflate, which can be a danger to your child. Your child can easily slip out of an inflatable swimming aid, and, if unsupervised, he may drown. Children love to play and jump into the water while wearing inflatable swimming aids, which can result in your child going under and losing his inflatable swim aids. It is easy to develop a false sense of safety when wearing the inflatable swimming aids and this may lead to your child forgetting to wear the inflatables and jumping into the water without them. Parents can also develop a false sense of safety and may not be as observant as needed.
Prevention
Stay near your child when she is using inflatables in the water. To prevent risk of drowning or injury, educate your child about wearing inflatables and explain to her about how injuries occur. Enroll your child into a swimming education class by the age of 4 so that she understands how to tread water and swim on her own.
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