Why Water Safety Starts with You
At our swim school, we often focus on teaching adults how to swim — but the benefits go far beyond personal confidence and fitness. As a parent, guardian, or caregiver, your ability to stay calm, respond quickly, and make smart decisions around water can be the difference between safety and tragedy. With drowning being a leading cause of accidental death for children, knowing the basics of water safety and emergency response is essential. Whether you’re at the pool, beach, or even near a bathtub, your preparation can help save lives.
1. Supervision Is Your First Line of Defense
Children should NEVER be left unattended around water — even for a moment. Drowning can happen quickly and silently. Always provide “touch supervision" for young children, which means you should be within arm’s reach. For older children, stay actively engaged — no phones, no distractions. Assign a “Water Watcher” during gatherings to ensure someone is always on duty.
2. Enroll Your Child in Swim Lessons Early
Formal swim lessons significantly reduce the risk of drowning in children. Enrolling your child in age-appropriate lessons can teach them water safety, how to float, and basic swimming skills. We recommend starting as early as 1 year old, but even older children benefit from structured instruction.
3. Learn CPR and Basic First Aid
Adults should be trained in CPR — especially those who regularly care for children. In the event of an accident, immediate CPR can drastically improve outcomes while you wait for emergency responders. Many local community centers and hospitals offer CPR certification classes for parents and caregivers.
4. Know What Drowning “Actually” Looks Like
Unlike the dramatic splashing you might see in movies, drowning is often silent and fast. Look for:
Head low in the water
Gasping or hyperventilating
Vertical body position
Lack of movement or inability to call out
If you see these signs, act immediately — don’t wait to be sure.
5. Create Barriers and Use Safety Equipment
Install fences around pools, use pool alarms, and make sure hot tubs have locking covers. Life jackets should be worn near open water or on boats. Water wings or inflatable toys are *not* a substitute for a life jacket or adult supervision.
6. What to Do in an Emergency
If a child is struggling or unresponsive in the water, every second counts — but it’s critical that you keep yourself safe while attempting a rescue.
Call for Help Immediately: Shout for help and have someone call 911. If you’re alone, attempt rescue only if it’s safe to do so, then call emergency services as soon as the child is out of danger.
Reach or Throw, Don’t Go (When Possible): If the child is near the edge, use a rescue device like a pole, noodle, or life ring to pull them in. If these aren’t available and you must enter the water, only do so if you're a confident swimmer.
Enter the Water Safely: Use a compact jump (knees bent, arms tight) to minimize injury if entering from height. Approach the child calmly, from behind if possible, to prevent panicked grabbing, which can pull both of you under.
Use a Safe Swimming Stroke:
Sidestroke or elementary backstroke is best for carrying a child while keeping your face above water and conserving energy.
For young children, you can cradle them in one arm while using the other arm and your legs to swim.
If you're unable to lift the child, focus on keeping both of you afloat until help arrives. Practice floating on your back and using a scissor or flutter kick to stay stable.
Secure the Child: Hold the child with their head above water. If they’re conscious, talk to them calmly. If unconscious, focus on floating and moving quickly but smoothly to the nearest edge or shallow area.
Remove the Child from the Water Carefully: Once you reach the edge, lift them out by supporting their head and neck if unconscious. Roll them gently onto a firm surface.
If they’re not breathing or unresponsive, start CPR immediately. If trained, give 30 compressions followed by 2 rescue breaths. Continue until emergency personnel take over or the child revives.
Even If They Seem Fine, Get Medical Help: Some symptoms of water inhalation or secondary drowning can appear hours later. A full evaluation by a medical professional is essential after any near-drowning incident.
7. Set the Example
If your child sees you swimming confidently and practicing safety — like wearing a life jacket or learning CPR — they’re more likely to follow suit. This is one of the reasons we encourage adults to take private swim lessons. Not only does it protect *you*, it empowers you to protect *them*.
Final Thoughts
Water can be a source of joy, exercise, and family fun — but it requires respect and responsibility. By learning to swim, understanding child water safety, and knowing how to respond in an emergency, you’re giving your family the gift of both freedom and safety.
If you’re ready to become a more confident, prepared, and capable adult swimmer, our private lessons are designed just for you — no pressure, no judgment, just progress and peace of mind.
Let’s make water a safe place for everyone.
