EN 13138 Floating Aids for Swimming Training

The European standard “EN 13138 Floating aids for swimming training” consists of the following sub-sections published under the same title:

• The standard “EN 13138-1 Part 1: Safety requirements and test methods for swim aids to be worn” describes the safety and in-water performance requirements, construction, sizing, marking, and manufacturer-provided information for swim aids designed to provide some buoyancy to help beginners move in the water while learning to swim or learning a part of a swimming technique. This standard also provides test methods for verifying these requirements.

This standard applies only to swim devices designed to be worn, securely fitted to the body, and possessing natural buoyancy or being inflatable. It applies only to Class B swim devices designed to introduce the user to various swimming techniques. It does not apply to Class A or C swim devices, tow floats, swimming rings, life rings, buoyancy aids, life vests, or water toys.

This standard does not apply to products known as infant neck rings, which are intended to keep the user's airways above the water level.

Swimming aids are classified according to the table titled "Classification of swimming aids used for swimming training" as follows.

• Class A: A floating swimming device in which the child is positioned inside a floating structure and in contact with the water. This swimming device is designed to allow the user to become familiar with the aquatic environment and the movements within it. The swimming device holds the passive user in a stable swimming position with the base of their chin on or above the water surface.
• Class B: A floating swimming device designed to be worn, securely attached to the body, and introduce the active user to various swimming styles.
• Class C: Swimming device designed to be held on the hands or body.

The EN 13138-1 standard applies to Class B swimming aids, which are specifically designed to support active users as they learn swimming techniques. Typical examples include:

• Inflatable armbands
• Swim jackets
• Swimming vests
• Chest support buoyancy aids

This standard does not apply to:

• Life jackets
• Lifebuoys
• Water toys
• Swimming rings
• Towing buoys
• Professional flotation aids

In short, the main purpose of the EN 13138-1 standard is to provide the following for swimming aids:

• To provide sufficient buoyancy.
• Keeping the user securely connected
• It supports a safe body position in the water.
• Minimizing the risk of drowning during swimming lessons.
• Maintaining its performance after repeated use and exposure to environmental factors.

This standard applies only to Class C swimming aids designed to be held on the hands or body. Typical swimming aids include push-up boards and tow/push-up boards. These swimming aids are used to help learn to swim or improve swimming techniques and to develop specific elements of technique; they either have natural buoyancy or are inflatable.

This standard does not apply to tow floats, swimming rings, lifebuoys, buoyancy aids, life vests, or water toys.

This standard applies specifically to Class C swimming aids designed to help users improve their swimming skills, refine their stroke techniques, and become accustomed to moving in the water. Typical products covered by this standard include:

• Swimming boards
• Pulling/kicking boards
• Inflatable training boards
• Handheld swimming training aids

This standard does not apply to:

• Towing buoys
• Swimming rings
• Lifebuoys
• Life jackets
• Flotation aids
• Water toys

The primary purpose of the EN 13138-2 standard is to improve safety during swimming training by establishing requirements for:

• Building quality
• buoyancy performance
• Material durability
• Product labeling
• user information
• Test procedures

Handheld swimming aids are designed to support these learning phases by helping swimmers maintain body position and perform specific movements safely.

• The standard “EN 13138-3 Part 3: Safety requirements and test methods for swim seats with the user seated” describes the safety requirements for the design, sizing, materials, strength, and in-water performance of swim seats, as well as the marking requirements and information provided by the manufacturer. It also presents the relevant test methods. This standard does not apply to products covered by EN 13138 1 and EN 13138 2 standards.

This standard applies only to swimming devices in which the user is seated and which are either naturally buoyant or inflatable, or a combination of both. It applies only to Class A swimming devices designed to allow the user to acclimatize to the aquatic environment. These swimming devices are intended only for children up to 36 months of age with a body mass less than or equal to 19 kg. It does not apply to Class B or C swimming devices, tow floats, life rings, buoyancy aids, life vests, or water toys.

The EN 13138-3 standard focuses on devices designed to help a child safely acclimate to the aquatic environment. These products are classified as Class A swimming devices and are primarily designed for infants and young children learning to get used to the water rather than learning actual swimming techniques. Typical products covered include:

• Inflatable swimming chairs
• Rigid or semi-rigid baby swimming seats
• Hybrid swimming seats with inflatable compartments

This standard applies only to the following children:

• Children up to 36 months
• In the latest version, children with a body weight of 19 kg or less

The main purpose of the EN 13138-3 standard is to improve the safety of infant and toddler swimming seats by defining the following requirements:

• Design and stability
• buoyancy performance
• Structural strength
• Behavior in water
• Product durability
• Warning labels and instructions
• Security test procedures

This standard recognizes that early swimming instruction begins by helping children with the following:

• To help them feel comfortable in the water.
• To help them develop confidence and controlled movement in aquatic environments.

This standard covers Class B devices designed to be securely attached to the body and that are either naturally buoyant or inflatable. These devices are designed to introduce the user to various swimming styles. It does not apply to buoyancy aids, life jackets, or water toys.

Essentially, the structure of the EN 13138-4 standard, unlike the EN 13138-1, EN 13138-2, and EN 13138-3 standards which focus on safety and product requirements, specifically focuses on how swimming aids behave in real water conditions. This standard offers advanced testing procedures using the following methods:

• Special test dummies
• Human subjects
• Underwater measurement systems
• Swimming angle analysis

The aim of this standard is to objectively evaluate whether wearable swimming aids truly provide safe and effective support to beginner swimmers.

In short, this standard is a technical extension of the EN 13138-1 standard and focuses not only on structural or material testing, but also on dynamic water performance.

For many years, our organization, with its competent and experienced staff, has been understanding the needs of its clients, providing the advanced testing services they require, and assisting them in the establishment, implementation, and improvement of management systems. Within this framework, we also provide testing services in accordance with the EN 13138 standard.