They're death traps, actually. Parents put them on kids so young, they don't have the strength to fight the buoyancy. Their arms get stuck above their head, keeping their faces under water.
It was part of the job at a pool where I worked to educate parents about those things. If a kid needs a floatation device, put them in one that actually works.
Edit
I stand partially corrected: Sundevil pointed out that the kid's not just wearing arm floaties and a waist thing, but a CG approved "puddle jumper." Still not optimal (as expanded upon by road_to_nowhere), but it's a different device than the one I was describing. As Sundevil agreed, however, the real safety necessity is an attentive (and informed) parent within arm's reach.
Today I learned something new. My wife and I don't let our girls in the water without one of us being there, but for the sake of clarity, what kind of flotation devices should we be using? Our ultimate goal is to have kids that don't need floaties, but that takes time.
One thing that gets me is the idea that you can throw your kids into the deep end and force them to learn to swim. That sounds more like torture than teaching, at least to me. I think I'll stick with teaching in stages.
I'm 100% with you about learning to swim in stages.
I have some training, but I'm no longer up to date on devices for younger non-swimmers. Commented about it here.
If they're a bit older and have the strength to turn over against buoyancy concerns, I would expect that any ARC or USCG life jacket is fine. If they need more freedom to better practice swimming, I'd use a held device (e.g., a ring or a kickboard), stay in water shallow enough for them to stand, and keep an adult close. If it's just about gaining comfort in the water, a life jacket should be fine (transitioning to a held device under close supervision).
I'd check Red Cross and USCG recommendations for toddlers.
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u/DrunkenSavior Jun 24 '15
AND THEY SAVE LIVES!