THEY’RE one of the most popular swimming aids on the market.
But one swimming teacher has opened up about the dangers of body floats – admitting they actually increase the risk of drowning.
Swim teacher Nikki took to TikTok to share a video revealing the things she hatesInstagram/@nikki.scarnati
She also warned against these swimming fins, as they can increase the risk of drowningInstagram/@nikki.scarnati
And these baby floats are also a big no no in Nikki’s opinionInstagram/@nikki.scarnati
“Things that make me say ewwww as a swim instructor,” Nikki revealed in a video on her TikTok page.
She began with swim pants, insisting that often “poo escapes into your pool water” when a child wears one and has to go.
Next up was the body float – which features two armbands with an extra floatation section that goes around the child’s middle – and is also called a “puddle jumper”.
“Builds false confidence and increases the risk of drowning,” she wrote alongside that one.
“THROW IT AWAY! Please!”
While Nikki had similar thoughts about the swimming fins that are often used when a child is learning to swim.
“It binds your child’s feet together and increases risk of drowning,” she explained.
“Throw it away!”
Goggles were also on Nikki’s list, because they “increase fear of getting the face wet”.
And she concluded her list with the baby floats that tots sit in.
“Reinforces a vertical position (aka the drowning position),” she said.
“All of the things. Can’t stand them!” Nikki captioned her video.
“As a first time mom with a little who I am trying to get into swimming lessons, I appreciate this so very much!” one person commented on the video.
But not everyone agreed – with one writing: “I disagree with the goggles, they protect eyes from chlorine and make seeing underwater more fun which encourages my kids anyway to dunk faces more.”
To which Nikki replied: “They’re okay if your child can swim effectively on their own.
“I work with kids 6 months- 6 years old.”
She isn’t a fan of goggles either, as they can lead to an increased fear of getting the face wetInstagram/@nikki.scarnati
And she also doesn’t like swim nappies, as things can sometimes escape from them into the waterInstagram/@nikki.scarnati Read More