Drownings Happen Most During Non-Swim Times

Close your eyes and imagine a pediatric drowning situation. Do you picture a child flailing their arms trying to stay above water while surrounded but a pool full of people? Or do you think it’s a kid walking around the pool and slipping in while a nearby adult rushes to grab them from the water? The reality is that most drownings occur during non-swim times – meaning a child is not actively swimming when the drowning occurs. And the notion that you’ll hear a commotion coming from the pool so you’ll have time to react is a complete fallacy. 

More children aged 1 to 4 die from drowning than any other cause, and Texas is one of the leading states in the country for these fatalities to occur. Backyard pools are abundant, yet many children do not have the fundamental survival swimming skills necessary to save themselves should they fall into a pool or body of water. Why is that? A pool is the most dangerous thing in a home, but without layers of protection in place to keep a child safe, accidents can and will happen. 

Most drownings occur when a child is not actively swimming. They get curious and sneak out a door that has no alarm. They are playing in the backyard and find themselves in the pool because there is no pool fence adding another protection barrier. Family and friends are hanging out and everyone is preoccupied so no one’s really watching the kids. Children are only as safe around the water as their skills allow them to be. 

The examples above are very real and have happened to the most loving and attentive parents around, and while there’s never any intention for any parent or adult to allow this life-changing accident to occur, it does. And it’s impossible to reverse. But it is possible to prepare your little one with the skills necessary should they ever find themselves in an unthinkable situation. Even more so, it’s possible to implement layers of protection for further safety. 

Survival Swimming Lessons Save Lives
One of the most important things you can do for your child as their parent is to equip them with lifesaving swimming skills. Children as young as 6 months old are able to learn how to roll-back-to-float. 

And it’s an amazing sight to see when a baby who’s just starting to crawl can learn the skillset of going from underwater to floating onto their back, positioning themselves in a manner that allows them to breathe until help comes. 

Within the last few years, the American Academy of Pediatrics even reduced the age they felt children could begin survival swimming lessons, a move that was applauded by many in the swimming community. With such an emphasis put on proper car seat restraints, diet, toys, and foods that are choking hazards, it was surprising that the AAP guidance for swimming lessons didn’t fall in line with other age-appropriate guidelines. These newer guidelines are a small victory in spreading the necessary awareness that survival swimming lessons save lives. 

Katy’s Survival Swimming School
When it comes to equipping your children with the right survival swimming skills, it’s important to ensure your child is learning the right tools. Not all swimming lessons are the right ones. Texas Swim Academy was established with the desire and dedication to making a difference throughout Katy, Houston, and the surrounding areas. There is no greater gift than hearing about a child who has accidentally fallen into the water and was able to save their own life by floating or swimming to the edge to safety. Always remember to check the pool first if a child goes missing. 

Contact us today to learn more about Texas Swim Academy and our survival swimming program. 

SWIM SCHOOL IN KATY 

Texas Swim Academy is a state-of-the-art swimming facility offering water safety, survival swim, and kids swimming lessons in Katy, Texas. Owners Kathleen and Bruce McMordie, alongside our certified staff, help parents introduce children to water at an early age through the Infant Survival Swim Program , teaching life-saving techniques and basic swimming skills.

Our Stroke Development Program offers six different levels to help students progress in their swimming skills at his or her own pace. Our Adaptive Aquatics Program was created specifically for children with special abilities. Find swimming class registration information here. By subscribing to Texas Swim Academy’s blog , you can stay current on valuable water safety resources such as survival swim, health and wellness, Texas Swim Academy news and more. Follow our Facebook , Twitter, and YouTube pages for even more news, updates, and tips!