SWIMMING IN floatation, especially for children under the age of 5, teaches them the position of drowning. They feel like they are "swimming" independently when in actuality if they did not have that floatation they would quickly sink to the bottom. It also increases the likelihood that they will jump into the water without their floaties on and without proper supervision because they quickly become over-confident in water with floatation on. With products marketed toward us everywhere and many parents not being aware of this it can be hard to believe. Please don't hesitate to ask us more questions. Properly fitted, US coast guard approved life vests are an important layer of protection on boats and even around water but should not be used as a swimming aid. Here is an article with more details about it as well a all too common drowning scenario that can happen due to floatation: