As I bought this item in the middle of winter I had no intention of using it as a float for swimming pools. Instead, I needed an inexpensive air mattress for a guest I was visiting. To that end, I have to say that it works quite well, except that the mattress lets air through from the moment a person goes to bed. When he/she gets up in the morning, they lift off the floor instead of rolling off the mattress. For what I paid I think it was worth it but I wouldn't trust that to keep me afloat in the pool for long periods of time.