What is the difference between a Life Jacket and a Swim Vest?

January 31, 2025

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Written by Splash About Team

January 31, 2025

·

Written by Splash About Team

When you start looking into swimming aids for your child, you’ll come across many different terms: life jacket, life vest, swim vest, float vest, float jacket… it can be confusing to know which one to choose.

To keep things simple, we’ll use two terms, Life Jackets and Swim Vests, as they serve very different purposes.

What Is a Life Jacket?

A Life Jacket is designed to keep the wearer safe if they fall into water. It turns them face up and keeps the head above the surface, even if they are unable to swim or become unconscious.

If you are going on a boat, near deep water or the sea, you should always choose a Life Jacket. It provides complete flotation support and helps keep airways clear of water. Life Jackets are made to international safety standards such as EN ISO 12402 and should always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

What Is a Swim Vest?

A Swim Vest (or float jacket) helps children gain confidence and learn to swim while staying supported in the water. It relies on the wearer being conscious and active, kicking or paddling to maintain position.

Splash About Swim Vests and Float Jackets are CE-tested and designed to help children find a natural swimming position. They’re lightweight, comfortable and made from soft neoprene for extended wear. Swim Vests are for use in controlled environments such as swimming pools, always under adult supervision.

Life Jackets vs Swim Vests: Key Differences

Feature	Life Jacket	Swim Vest
Purpose	Can be used as a life-saving device (check the product type and instructions)	Cannot be used as a life-saving device
Safety Function	Designed to turn the wearer face-up and keep the head above water, even if unconscious	Supports the wearer in the water but relies on movement to stay afloat
Design	Most support is at the front and around the neck to keep the head above water	Support is distributed around the torso to promote a natural, forward-tipped swimming position
Where to Use	On boats, at sea or away from shore, where water may be deep or unpredictable	In pools or calm, supervised water with safety measures in place
Head Position in Water	Keeps airways clear – prevents the head from going underwater	Allows the head to dip slightly toward the water for swimming practice
Comfort & Fit	Can be bulky or restrictive when worn for long periods	Lightweight neoprene design for comfortable all-day wear
Movement in Water	May restrict swimming and free arm movement	Designed to aid swimming and allow full motion

When to Use Each Type

- - Choose a Life Jacket when:
    - Boating, sailing or near deep, open water
    - You need full protection in unpredictable conditions
    - Rescue might not be immediate
  - Choose a Swim Vest when:
    - Teaching a child to swim in a supervised pool
    - Playing or practising in calm, shallow water
    - Encouraging natural movement and water confidence

Explore Splash About Swim Vests and Float Jackets

At Splash About, we design products that help children build confidence and independence in the water. Our Swim Vests and Float Jackets are trusted by parents and swim schools worldwide.

- - Shop Swim Vests - Lightweight, easy to wear and ideal for teaching children to swim in the pool.
  - Shop Float Jackets - Adjustable float systems that grow with your child as they gain confidence and skill.

Both styles are CE-tested, comfortable for long wear and designed to hold children in the correct swimming position.

Safety and Standards

All Splash About Swim Vests and Float Jackets are CE-tested to meet European safety standards for swimming aids.
Life Jackets must meet higher international safety requirements, such as EN ISO 12402, for use as personal safety equipment.

Remember, a Swim Vest supports learning and confidence, while a Life Jacket provides safety in emergencies. Neither replaces active adult supervision.

FAQ Block

Q: Can I use a Swim Vest instead of a Life Jacket on a boat?
A: No. Swim Vests are designed for supervised swimming and not for open water or boating. Always use a certified Life Jacket for those situations.

Q: Will a Swim Vest stop my child from going under the water?
A: No. It helps support children while swimming but allows movement below the surface.

Q: Are Splash About Swim Vests suitable for toddlers?
A: Yes. Splash About Swim Vests and Float Jackets are CE-tested and created for safe use in supervised swimming sessions.

Q: What’s the main difference between a Life Jacket and a Swim Vest?
A: A Life Jacket keeps the wearer safe and face-up in the water, while a Swim Vest helps children learn to swim in a comfortable and supported way.

Author Bio

Laura Allen, from Splash About, helps families choose the safest and most comfortable swimwear and swimming aids for babies and children. With years of experience supporting parents and swim schools, Laura provides clear, practical advice so little ones can build confidence in the water from their very first swim.

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Overline text

When you start looking into buoyancy
options for your child, you will be met with many different titles, terms and confusing names. Life vest, life jacket, buoyancy jacket, swim vest, float vest, float jacket… what on earth does it all mean?

First, lets assume that Life Vests and Life Jackets are one in the same and buoyancy jackets, swim vests, float vests and float jackets are all different words for the same thing also. And for ease from now on, the two groups will be named Life Vests and Swim Vests.

So, lets look at the differences, as a Life Vest is a very different buoyancy device to a Swim Vest.

Life Vest

Can be used as a life saving device (check Life Vest type and instructions before using as such)

Designed to turn a person face up in the water, even if they are unconscious

Most of the buoyancy is positioned at the front and around the neck to keep your head above water

Can be worn by swimmers and non-swimmers whilst they are away from safe areas such as on a boat or in the sea away from shore

Will keep your airways clear of water – will not allow your head to go under water

Can be bulky and uncomfortable when worn for long periods of time

May be restrictive to swim in

Swim Vest

Cannot be used as a life-saving device

Designed to support you in the water but relies on the wearer to be conscious and able to kick or paddle

Buoyancy is positioned around the core of the body, which helps the wearer achieve a natural swimming position, tipped forward with their head towards the water

Can only be used by non-swimmers in a controlled environment where there are other safety measures in place such as a swimming pool under supervision

Less bulky than life vests and usually made from neoprene which is comfortable for all day wear

Designed to aid swimming and are not restrictive

Get Started

The main thing to remember is, if you are taking your child swimming in a pool and intend for them to paddle, kick and splash under constant supervision, then a Swim Vest or Float Jacket is suitable.

Splash About Swim Vests and Float Jackets
are CE tested and hold children in the correct position for learning to swim. They are not as buoyant as a life vest, so children need to work with the jacket to keep themselves afloat. This enables them to learn
basic swimming strokes and how to find their natural buoyancy in the water. Swim Vests will not stop the child from going under the water, so children may need an adult to support them the first time they swim
with one. Simply hold your child’s hands in front of them until they find their stability and let go one at a time until they can stay afloat.

If you are planning to go on a boat on changeable waters such as the sea, or you are anywhere with large bodies of water that you do not intend your child to go into, then you need a Life Vest. This will ensure you give your child the best chance
of being kept afloat, should they slip or fall into the water, even if they can't swim or are knocked unconscious.

Splash About supply a range of swim vests and floatsuits that can help your child learn to swim. These are not life jackets, so please bear this in mind when purchasing.

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