The pool can be the center of fun activities in a home, especially during those very hot summer afternoons when people want to cool down amidst the scorching sun and high temperatures.
When you have kids and adults who are still learning to swim, they need pool floats to be safe on the water; there are times we want to just lay on these pool floats even if we can swim.
For you to get the best out of your floaty or swimming floats, some people prefer to call them pool floats and need to be inflated.
Today, we will show you simple ways of inflating your pool floats with very simple devices that you find all around you. These are simple life hacks that are helpful.
Why Do You Need A Pool Float
Many avoidable accidents happen in the pool where people drown in the water. These are usually caused by unintentionally falling into the pool and cannot swim; a good pool float will help prevent this unfortunate occurrence.
Even when non-swimmers begin to swim, these pool floats can also help them become better at swimming by increasing their buoyancy in the water.
Other people need swimming lessons not just for fun but also as therapy for a physical condition; a pool float makes it easy for them to endure this hydrotherapy.
Even though swimming is a fun game, it is also an exhilarating one, it can cause fatigue and suck up energy, and that is why as some people swim for a while, they lay on their pool float to catch their breath and then gather momentum to continue.
Before You Buy That Pool Float
You have to keep in mind a few things when you are shopping for a pool float. These are factors that will help you buy what will suit you. Some of these considerations include:
1. The Material
Pool floats are usually made of two materials which are either foam or vinyl. If you are looking for one that is malleable and comes in very different styles, shapes, and designs, you should go for a vinyl pool float. These plastic pool floats are inflated, and a cover is used to seal them to stop air from leaking.
The beauty about them is that they are easy to be transported and stored, all you need to do is relate them, roll them up and store them compactly, and when you need to use them, you inflate them.
Foam pool floats do not deflate and so do not need to be inflated. They are made of closed-cell foam and then covered with vinyl coats to protect them from damage, they are not as compact as their vinyl counterpart, but they can be folded and stored.
2. Air Pump
There are two types of air pumps used in inflating pool floats: electric and manual air pumps. The electric pump is a lot more expensive than its manual counterpart, while the manual requires a lot of energy and time for inflating these pool floats.
3. Features
There are different designs of pool floats that are meant for both adults and children; if you are buying for kids, then you should look out for certain features that make it safe for children, features like dual air chambers, safety valves, one with a canopy that protects from the ultraviolet rays of the sun and a unit with a low center of gravity.
4. Design
Pool floats come in different sizes and designs, from drink holders to lounge rafts with floating recliners that allow one to sit up or lay flat. These different designs come in different sizes and colors.
What Is The Easiest Way To Inflate A Pool Float?
The easiest way to inflate your pool float is to use an electric pump; most of them inflate a big pool float in just a couple of minutes.
A safety precaution you should adhere to before inflating your pool float with an electric pump is that you should not inflate the pool float beside the pool because of the risk of electrocution and do not allow kids to inflate the pool floats themselves.
The steps below will show you how to use the electric pump:
1. Get your electric pump and plug it into a standard source of electricity which is usually 110V to 120V
You should use an extension cord if the cable is not long enough.
2. The air pump should use the pool float valve to ensure that they are attached correctly.
3. Switch on the electric pump and then fill its chambers with air. You should inflate the pool float slowly as the wrinkles in the float material begin to disappear; some of these wrinkles might never fade, do not bother about it, and do not try to overinflate the unit either.
4. Close all the air chambers and adequately depress the air valve into the pool float.
Unplug the electric pump from the socket and store it properly.
Can You Use a Tire Pump to Inflate a Pool Float?
Yes, you can inflate your pool float with a tire pump, and you can get your unit inflated in no time; even the speed at which you inflate is not as fast as that of an electric pump.
All you need to do is attach the tire pump into the adapter the same way you would attach a tire stem valve of a bicycle; you should then insert the other end to the pool float valve and begin to pump. When you are done, close the valve of the float and store your tire pump properly.
How To Inflate A Pool Float Without A Pump?
There are many ways you can inflate your pool float with the use of other devices you can find around you.
1. Blow it with Your Mouth
Believe it or not, there are still some people who can comfortably blow their pool float with their mouths. The method might sound tiresome and archaic, but the most important thing is that the mouth can get the job done.
If you want to give it a go, just lay your pool float on the table that you find comfortable, ensure that the valve is in your direction, and open the valve’s cap by pulling it with your thumb and your index finger.
Then put the stem of the valve into your mouth and start blowing air. You should blow enough air into the float for it to be firmly inflated without being over-inflated. Then you should secure the air in the pool by closing the valve with the cap.
And there you have it, pool bloat inflated with your mouth. The advantages of using your mouth to inflate your pool float are numerous as it is a form of exercise for your lungs; it saves you the cost of acquiring and maintaining a pump.
It helps increase your lung capacity and wellbeing; that is why it is recommended for those with respiratory issues like chronic bronchitis and asthma.
2. Use A Large Bag
This is another hack that will save you money, and it is still quite effective. All you need do is fill the bag with air by locating the air inlet, opening it up, and allowing air to enter until the large bag is full. Then use your hand to make a tiny opening on the bag that will serve as the air passage.
Fit the pool float’s open valve into the tiny hole of the bag and then inflate the float by compressing the bag so that air moves from the bag to the pool float. As soon as the pool float is raised, cover the valve so that air does not escape.
Your pool float is now good to go. This technique is a little tedious, but it works just fine.
3. The Hairdryer And The Water Bottle Technique
This is another ridiculous method for inflating your pool float, and all you will be needing is a hairdryer, scissors, duck tape, and a water bottle.
This method is a little tricky because hairdryers do not have nozzles that you can fit into the plug, so you must devise a way of holding it in place, and that is why we need the materials stated earlier.
You should start by cutting off the top of a plastic water bottle and then use a duck tape to stick the small nozzle side of the water bottle to the end of the hairdryer. You will end up with a funnel from which air can flow from the hairdryer through to the pool float.
You should then press the water bottle attachment against the pool float’s air inlet valve, turn on the COLD MODE of the hairdryer, and then switch on.
The cold air from the hairdryer will move from there into the pool through the water bottle funnel and inflate the pool float.
You must ensure that the hairdryer is on Cold Mode before switching it on because hot air can damage the pool float.
4. Use A Shop Vacuum
A shop vacuum is another effective air pump improvisation for pumping your pool floats. You use it by pushing the hose up to the air inlet valve of the pool float and then switching the vacuum on to Blow.
The pool will get inflated, and then you can switch off the shop vacuum and then close the inlet valve of the pool float.
You have to be careful not to over-inflate the pool float with this vacuum because they have very high pressure.
5. Use A Leaf Blower
A leaf blower is another suitable device for inflating your pool float; the only snag is that you need two people before you can effectively inflate the pool float with a leaf blower.
Here, one person holds the leaf blower while another has the pool float. The inlet valve of the pool float is inserted into the leaf blower, and then the leaf blower is turned on and then quickly inflates the pool float. This technique works so fast, but you have to be careful not to over-inflate the pool float.
How Do You Inflate A Pool Float With A Hand Pump?
You can inflate your pool float with a hand pump, and the technique is almost the same as that of a tire pump. This method is effective and cheap because you do not require electricity for it.
All you need to do is insert the pool float valve into the hand pump and keep pumping until the pool float is inflated enough. You can enlist the help of a friend to give you a hand because this method is tasking, but the good news is that it gets your pool float inflated.
Conclusion: How To Inflate A Pool Float
Pool floats are not just tools for having a great day at the swimming pool but are also great for getting you and your lungs healthier, and when you want to get one, ensure you get one that suits you.
You can see that there are a lot of simple devices around you that you can use to inflate your pool float, and they all get the job done. Some of them are so simple you do not require any special equipment.
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We trust this article helped you learn How To Inflate A Pool Float. You may also want to check out our article on How Do You Repair a Tear In A Bounce House? (5 Easy Steps).
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