From swim aids to recreational toys, floats come in all shapes, sizes and styles. Children love floats because they're fun to play with and give kids a sense of security in a pool. However, some floats aren't designed for use as swim aids but are only for recreational use. Knowing the difference and the kinds of floats used for swimming can help make pools safer and more enjoyable for kids, as well as adults.
Baby Floats
Baby floats are designed to hold a baby's body. Typically, you slide your baby's legs through leg holes of a seat that's at the center of the float. The main part of a baby float is up higher than the seat, and it surrounds the baby. Although baby floats hold infants and toddlers upright, there's always a chance one of these floats can turn over, says Swimming-Techniques-Learn. Always stay in contact with the baby float and your child to avoid accidents, and keep in mind that baby floats aren't designed to teach babies how to swim.
Swim Aids
Swim aids are designed to help a child or an adult learn to swim. Never assume a float is a swim aid, or swim float, because many types of floats are designed for recreation only and not intended for use as swim aids. Swim aids include arm bands, rubber rings, swim belts, kickboards, woggles, pull buoys and swimming floats that come in many different shapes, such as noodles and animal shapes. These are typically made of either inflatable plastic or buoyant Styrofoam.
Arm Floats
Arm bands and rubber rings can help new swimmers stay afloat, but because they only support the arms, they can prevent a nonswimmer from learning to swim properly, according to Swim-Teach. New swimmers can eventually switch to better swim aids designed to support the middle part of the body for learning proper swimming techniques, says Swimming-Techniques-Learn.
Swim Belts
Swim belts, or body belts, are tied around the waist of a new swimmer and give better mid-body support for learning swimming techniques. Swim belts are not designed for those just starting out, though, because they do not help keep a swimmer's head above water, according to Swimming-Techniques-Learn.
Kickboards and Woggles
You can use a woggle or kickboard to help support your body while swimming. Woggles primarily support your midsection, and kickboards primarily support your upper body. These swim aids are Styrofoam floats that free up your legs, arms or both. Never use a kickboard to learn or practice "butterfly legs" because you can damage your lower spine, says Swimming-Techniques-Learn.
Swimming Floats
Swimming floats, such as noodles, are better for intermediate swimmers, but they are used more often as toys. Don't rely on such floats unless your swim instructor is with you. Never leave a child alone in the water with a swim aid or float of any kind, and never rely entirely on a swim aid if you can't swim.
Recreational Floats and Toys
You can find all types of recreational floats at a variety of stores, especially right before summer. These often include flat floats, floaty balls, rubber ducks, loungers and pool toys, such as Hula-Hoops. Many of these recreational floats can sink, however, especially pool toys, according to Swimming-Techniques-Learn. Nonswimmers shouldn't rely on them, but they're fun to play with, and kids can use them to learn new pool games.
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