Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I think I know bit about Swim Air Floats since I've tested out few of them. I'm a SCUBA diver, swimmer, former water polo player, sail, windsurf, and so on. My son doesn't have an option when it comes to swimming. I got family membership to YMCA so he will feel comfortable in the water age of 25month. The 1st float I've bought was Swimways Baby Spring Float Activity Center with Canopy when my son was about a year old. We were invited to a pool party and wanted him to enjoy it. It is well built, it's lining that's not rubbery/plastic material and my son liked it. Floats well and after a year it has no holes and still can be useable. Unfortunately it doesn't really help with swimming and restricts movement and probably not allowed in YMCA or gym pools. 2nd Float suit-The Original Swimschool Learn to Swim - Floatation Suit for Girls Medium/Large in boys (Amazon did not have boy version This worked well since it kept my son's head above the water and gave enough buoyancy. Only problem is with this type of material, after about month of 2 in chlorinated pool, it deteriorated and became super stretchy to the point that the foams inside the suit were going over my son's mouth. We got rid of it but kep the foamy pads just in case. 3rd Float Suit-Speedo Begin To Swim Float Suit - (S/M Royal Blue) is level 2 in swimming which means it will not let your kid float all by itself. They'll need to kick in order to keep their nose and mouth above the water. Which maybe fine for older kid but my kid back then about 25 month cannot kick consistently and he drank some pool water and puked. I did stuff 2 foam pad from his 2nd suit in the front which gave him enough buoyancy that his head was above the water but after 2 month in chlorinated pool water, same thing happened as the 2nd suit. Became super stretch and foam was floating around his mouth. 4th Float Suit-Body Glove Childs 2mm Pro 2 Shorty I'm a diver and my 3mm gives me some buoyancy so I figured it was worth a try since I found it in craigslist used for $15. It does not give any buoyancy but it is a sturdy material and will keep my son away from UV rays and keep him warm. 5th is the Puddle Jumper. Only difference I can tell from this and the Deluxe Stearns Kids' Puddle Jumper Deluxe Life Jacket is this one is made with nylon and deluxe is made with polyester. I don't have the deluxe so I can't compare if that material is better but the regular one's durable nylon material is something similar to the orange lifevest you get when you rent a boat- something like thisAbsolute Outdoor Kent Adult Compliance PFD Type II Life Jacket. It's durable won't stretch and so far no schaffing. It is comfortable to wear and take off. It's just one strap and don't need to put the pants on then arm part like wet suit. In the water, my son was floating with his head way out of the water and right away started to swim in correct position. Maybe it's his comfort lever but with the The Original Swimschool Learn to Swim - Floatation Suit for Girls Medium/Large he was kicking his feet while floating vertical. Speedo Begin To Swim Float Suit - (S/M Royal Blue) he was swimming less about 30 degree to vertical even with extra foam pad but with the puddle jumper, he was swimming almost lying flat to the water and he was using his arms. When he was paddling with his arms as well, his mouth can be near the water but he knows to close his mouth. When he stops kicking he'll return to vertical position and is his head is well out of the water especially if he keeps his arms down. And life guards at my YMCA has prevent other kids from using blow up arm tubes but allowed my son to use this. It is coast guard approved. I have a kids life vest but my son found it too cumberson. I was leaning toward The Original Konfidence Jacket as my son's 5th float suit but it is expensive, the foams are inside the suit which can make it cumbersome, some reviewers said it didn't keep the kid's head above the water, and final deal breaker was when I found out that the foam pockets are made from same material as the suit 2 and 3...i knew it wouldn't last long in the chlorinated pool. Conclusion - with the right material, easy to put on and take off, providing correct swim position, coat guard approved, keeps my son's head way above water, this is definite winner for now. If I find something better, I will update.