YES! If your baby is old enough to crawl then you need to get him or her into swim lessons. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death in children ages 1 to 4 years old. Swim lessons reduce risk of drowning by 88% (National Institutes of Health).
I don’t have time to do swim lessons right now, is it really necessary for my 6 month old to be in swim lessons.
YES! Swim lessons only take 10-15 minutes a day for 4 to 6 weeks. Less time than an episode of This Is Us. Set your DVR and have the peace of mind that your baby could have the skills necessary to save themselves in case of an unfortunate accident around a pool.
My child tells me he doesn't want to take swim lessons, should I listen to him, or register him in lessons anyway?
YES! Take your child to lessons anyway! Drowning is the leading cause of accidental death for children under the age of five! Swim lessons reduce that risk by 88%. Children who have had swimming lessons have a respect for water, they know they have limitations, they understand the work involved with swimming, and they learn there are rules that go with swimming.
Do you recommend using flotation devices?
NO! Please DO NOT put arm floaties on your child after they've begun taking swim lessons. "Floaties" causes children to remain in a vertical position in the water. This gives them a false sense of security and may actually increase the risk of drowning.
Drowning is preventable! Pool time can be a lot of fun, but it’s important to incorporate layers of protection to prevent a fun day at the pool from becoming a family’s worst nightmare. Supervision, barriers, and emergency preparedness serve as a safety net, keeping a child safe and helping to prevent a drowning. Swimming and floating are motor skills that can be taught to babies through repetitive exercises. To register and learn more about survival swim lessons and drowning prevention please visit www.safetyfirstswim.com.