Drowning is the second leading cause of death for children ages 5 to 14, with children from communities of color at the greatest risk. With Summer upon us, now is a great time for parents to remember the importance of ensuring their children are equipped with essential water safety skills. The Y offers swim lessons and safety around water programs that help reduce the risk of childhood drowning, develop a lifelong love of swimming, and educate children about the importance of being safe around the water.
Before letting your children hit the water this summer, remember these few tips to ensure it’s an enjoyable and safe experience.
1. Never swim alone. Teach your children that they should only swim in locations where a lifeguard is on duty.
2. Teach children to tell you when they are going to go in or near water.
3. Supervise your children whenever they’re in the water. Whether it’s bath time or taking a dip in a pool or lake, make sure your children are within arm’s reach of you at all times.
4. Designate a "Water Watcher" which is an adult who agrees to take a 20-minute shift to watch children in the water with NO distractions.
5. Don’t engage in breath holding activities. Children shouldn’t hold their breath for a prolonged amount of time while swimming, as this can cause drowning and has several other severe physical side-effects.
6. Wear a Life Jacket: Inexperienced or non-swimmers should wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket.
7. .Don’t jump in the water to save a friend who is struggling in deep water. If a child finds their friend in deep water unexpectedly, their natural reaction may be to jump in the water to try to save them. Even if a child is a great swimmer, a panicked person will overpower them, pulling them underwater with them. The Y’s Safety Around Water program teaches the “reach, throw, don’t go” concept of using a long object to reach for them and pull them to safety. By using this technique, children can help their friends without compromising their own safety.
8. Enroll your children in water safety or swim lessons. Just like teaching your children to look both ways before they cross the street, having them participate in formal water safety lessons teaches them an important life skill. The Y’s Safety Around Water and Swim Lesson programs teach children fundamental water safety skills and what to do if they find themselves in the water unexpectedly.
Learning how to swim also has multiple benefits beyond enjoying water safely. It helps children strive for physical achievement, promotes healthy living, and builds their confidence. Learn more about MetroWest YMCA swim lessons today.