What are float vests?

Float vests and jackets are worn over swimming costumes or shorts to help children achieve a natural position in the water when learning to swim. They are a buoyancy aid so work with a child’s natural buoyancy to help increase their safety level when in water. The vests feature removable floats which can be taken out gradually as a child’s confidence and swimming ability improve. Vests with non-removable floats are also available.

Some float vests also have the added advantage of UPF to help protect children’s delicate skin from the sun and are made of neoprene to keep children warmer in cool water. All of Splash About’s float jackets and vests provide UPF50+ sun protection.

What’s the difference between float vests and float jackets?

Both terms are used interchangeably to describe a waistcoat-style buoyancy aid. In the Splash About range, ‘float vest’ is used to describe vests that don’t have removable floats and have been specially designed to flat pack in order to fit into a suitcase for taking on holiday. ‘Float jacket’ describes vests that do have removable floats.

Are float jackets the same as life jackets?

No, it’s important to note that float jackets are not life saving devices and are not a suitable substitute for life jackets. Life jackets are designed to help a person in the water remain in an upright position, with their head above water, whether they are moving or not.

Float jackets do not do this, they are designed instead to help children achieve a natural swimming position when learning to swim, whilst still enabling them to go under water if they wish. When a child is using a float jacket for the first time, it is best to hold their hands until they learn how to balance in the water.

Children must be supervised at all times when in or near water.

Buoyancy aid comparison guide

 

	Float Suit	Float Vest / Float Jacket	Armbands
Age Suitability	1 year – 6 years	1 year - 6 years	Birth - 6 years
Warmth	No warmth protection	Neoprene fabric for added warmth	No warmth protection
Safety	Robust material with integrated floats which cannot be removed easily by child	Robust material with integrated floats which cannot be removed easily by child	Susceptible to air leaks and punctures, can easily be removed by child
Removable Floats	Yes	Float Vest - No Float Jacket - Yes	No, floats are either on or off
Buoyancy	Helps keeps child in a natural swimming position	Helps keeps child in a natural swimming position	Keeps child in an upright position in the water with arms above the chest
UPF	UPF50+	UPF50+	No sun protection
Ease of Use	Pull-on and zip up	Slip-on over arms and zip up	Need inflating, can be awkward to pull on
Comfort	Soft fabric	Soft neoprene fabric provides extra warmth	Plastic can cause chafing or rubbing
Cost	£25	£20-£23	£5
Size	Floats can make suits feel bulky on smaller, slim children, can be bulky to pack	Slimline when worn and easy to pack	Bulky and restrictive when worn, but small when deflated so easy to pack

How float vests helps children learn to swim

Once your child is big enough to stay upright and hold their head up above the water they are ready to try a float vest. Unlike armbands, which position a child’s arms above their chest and restrict arm movement, float vests fit snuggly to the torso, allowing children to have a full range of movement.

Float vests help position children in a natural swimming position in the water, whilst providing extra buoyancy as they learn to swim. You will need to hold onto your child’s hands at first, to help your child find their water balance. The vest will then help to keep them afloat as they learn to kick in the water. As they become more confident, you will be able to let go of their hands and they will be able to stay afloat using only the swim vest.

Float vests are ideal for children who enjoy snorkeling, as they provide stability and comfort when exploring the water for longer periods.

How to use a float vest

Float vests are simple to use, they pull on like a waistcoat and zip up at the front. Vests come with 8 removable floats, which are positioned in the lining of the vest. The floats can be gradually removed in pairs and are marked so that you know which order to take them out in as your child’s swimming ability grows.

With a vest with 8 floats, the floats are usually removed in pairs in the following order as your child’s swimming ability increases:

1. Outer pockets at the front of the vest first
2. Outer pockets at the back of the vest
3. Inner pockets at the front of the best
4. Inner pockets at the back of the vest

Vests with non-removable floats are also available. Their benefit is that they are more slimline and are easy to pack into suitcases. They offer the same level of buoyancy as the 8-piece float jacket. These tend to be more affordable than vests with adjustable floats.

The floats work with your child’s natural buoyancy, so when using a swim vest for the first time, you may need to remove some floats to achieve the optimum level of balance for your child.

Even when all the floats are removed, the vest can still be worn to provide your child with extra warmth and sun protection.

FAQ's

Do float jackets ride up to cover a child’s chin or mouth?

As long as the jacket is the correct size, it shouldn’t ride up. It’s best to choose a jacket that is a snug fit.

Are float jackets suitable to be worn over a wetsuit or swimming costume?

Yes they are, they can be worn over wetsuits or swimming costumes. They are also suitable to be worn with just swim bottoms.

Are float jackets adjustable to fit different sizes?

The size of a float jacket isn’t adjustable so it’s very important to ensure you choose the correct size for your child.

What age are float vests suitable for?

Float vests are suitable for babies over one year old, toddlers and older children. Adult vests are also available.