What is BS EN 13138‑2 about?
BS EN 13138‑2 is the second part of a multi-series on buoyant aids for swimming instruction. BS EN 13138‑2 specifies safety requirements for construction, performance, sizing, and marking for swimming devices intended to assist users with movement through the water in the early stages of water awareness, while learning to swim or while learning part of a swimming stroke. BS EN 13138‑2 also specifies test methods for verification of these requirements.
Note 1: BS EN 13138‑2 applies only to class C swimming devices that are designed to be held in the hands or by the body. Typical swimming devices include kickboards and pull/kickboards. These swimming devices are used to assist in learning to swim or to assist with swimming strokes and improving specific elements of the stroke, which have either inherent buoyancy or can be inflated.
Note 2: BS EN 13138‑2 does not apply to pull buoys, swim rings, lifebuoys, buoyancy aids, lifejackets, or aquatic toys.
Who is BS EN 13138‑2 for?
BS EN 13138‑2 on buoyant aids for swimming instruction is useful for:
- Manufacturers and distributors of buoyant swimming aids
- Lifeguards
- Public pool officials
- Swimming instructors
Why should you use BS EN 13138‑2?
Buoyant aids for swimming instructions are intended to assist users (children) to learn to swim. The design and purpose of the swimming devices are to give the user positive buoyancy in the water while maintaining the correct body position for swimming.
BS EN 13138‑2 sets performance requirements to ensure that swimming devices perform appropriately. It is essential that the swimming devices are used correctly and under constant and close supervision as it is important to ensure that they are securely fitted to the appropriate size of the children and that when correctly fitted, they cannot become displaced. Swim seats however should allow immediate escape in case of capsizing.
Swim seats complying with BS EN 13138‑2 provide a stable, floating position for a child sitting in the swim seat and avoid entrapment in case of capsizing. Children in swim seats do however require very close supervision.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN 13138‑2:2021 supersedes EN 13138‑2:2014, which has been editorially revised throughout.