Summer is a very warm and great season to be out and about. However, it can be a dangerous time for parents, as many choose to put their children in the water and use some sort of personal flotation device to protect them. We usually use the terms life jacket, swim vest, and puddle pullover interchangeably, but these are not the same.

A life jacket, also known as a life vest, is a life-saving garment, similar in design to a vest, made from nylon fabric or neoprene, buoyant or inflatable material, reflective material, etc. It has a general service life of 5-7 years and is one of the life-saving devices used on board ships and aircraft. It is usually a vest type, made of foam or cork. It is worn with enough buoyancy to allow the person's head to emerge from the water.

Any time you go to a swimming pool, you will see many very young children wearing their cute puddle jumpers. The design of the puddle jumper is inspired by the arm floats of old. However, it is more due to the floats. The puddle jumper is put on by sliding the child's arms into the float. It is then fastened to the back for a snug fit, usually with two safety clasps for a more secure fit. The floating vest keeps the child's head, chest, and arms afloat, allowing children to swim more easily and confidently.

A vest-style swimming outfit can be described as a collection of modern design ingenuity based on the need to have one. They look similar to life jackets, but they do not offer the same level of protection. These vests are usually made of neoprene and zip up at the front. They are more comfortable than life jackets because they are not as bulky. Swimming vests can help keep your child afloat but still require some skill on the part of the wearer.