recently while visiting the United States we took the family swimming in the local swimming pool (in Boston), and were told off because our daughter had a pair of water wings on. A quick search of the net reveals that other States have similar sort of statutes about flotation devices, even in rivers and beaches. Can any one explain why? Was there a spate of babies being carried out to sea while their parents backs were turned? Any other countries with such laws?
Well, yeah, lots of municipal swimming pools have rules against that sort of “pool toy”, because it’s too easy for kids to be carried out into water that’s over their heads. At the pool we patronize, “pool toy” flotation devices like air mattresses and “noodles” are only allowed during Family Hour, when presumably there’s a parent there to help keep an eye on the 4-year-old on the air mattress. The Boston pool you were at may have just gotten fed up with the whole “pool toy” problem and decided to ban them altogether.
“Water wings” have been associated with a number of unfortunate drownings in the States, and have been basically revilled. Dunno if it makes sense, but there you have it.
The problem with “water wings” and the like is also that if the person wearing them relaxes the wings tend to tip them face forward into the water. (Life preservers and the like avoid this problem in that when you wear them they tend to roll you over onto your back but people don’t use them for the pool.)
Combine this with the problem Duck mentions that when using them someone may drift into deeper water than expected and you see the problem…
Many parents assume that inflatable water-wings are a legitimate personal flotation device. Therefore, they don’t supervise their kids closely when they are wearing them. Also, water wings can easily deflate if the kid jumps off the diving board.
I think it’s an excellent rule. If a kid can’t swim, then he/she should have constant supervision.