Nobody goes into or near any body of water until you can swim safely as an individual. No vests, floaties, or other floatation devices needed.
So, our priority as children was always to get your Red Cross - YMCA Swimmers Badge so you were allowed near the water at our vacation cottage or grandmother's pool. Probably the only thing Red Cross I can advocate.
Agreed. All my kids swam almost before they could walk. You never know when you might fall in!