I remember taking swimming lessons as a young kid, though in retrospect I don’t know if I followed instructions or just sort of kept getting put into water until I figured out how to paddle my arms around.

In any case, I’m glad there are professionals watching over swimmers, like in this video from TikTok user @msmadisonrae:

“Trickery. Trickery is going on at Target. Let me show you.”

“Look at all of these Coast Guard approved life jackets. Oh, my gosh. So many options. So many options.”

“Water wings.”

“Do not buy these. You are teaching your child how to drown, not swim. Sincerely, an aquatic professional.”

@msmadisonrae

COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFEJACKETS ONLY. • Water wings suck. • #lifeguard #swimming #waterwings #cpr #Tatcha #fyp #foryoupage #trend #trending

♬ suono originale – New60s70srevenge – New60s70srevenge

A debate raged like an angry sea.

Is the noodle approach better?

I hadn’t thought about it before, but this does make sense.

Maybe we retire them?

The wings ain’t gonna fly.

If you liked that story, check out this one about a delivery driver who gave two weeks notice… so his employer disabled his truck when he was 300 miles from home!