A combination of doll and flotation device for demonstrating water safety employs a doll of human-like form sufficiently heavy to sink in water. A removable flotation device which fits the doll, such as a life jacket is designed to be placed on the doll and secured by fasteners such as the Velcro.RTM. fixed to opposed edges along the closure gap in the life vest. The life vest, or other flotation device, must be sufficiently buoyant to support the doll as well as it's own weight. The combination has utility in teaching children and adults life saving using familiar devices used in water safety. It allows the student to apply the flotation device to the doll, and remove it as required, and place the doll in the water to float with the flotation device or sink without it.