5 Swimming Survival Skills to Teach Your Child

Swimming season is well underway!

Swimming can be good exercise and a great way to beat the heat, but it can also be dangerous, particularly for young children. Approximately 800 children drown each year. Safe Kids Worldwide has more information on how to stay safe in the water!

We’re sharing 5 essential swimming survival skills you can teach your child to make them more confident swimmers and to help keep them safe in the water. These tips are simple, but they could save a life.

1. Step or jump into water that is over your head and return to the surface. Help your child practice rising/kicking to the surface of the water, but ONLY when you are there to supervise.

2. Tread water for one minute. Treading water for a longer amount of time will help your child become a stronger swimmer and be less afraid in deep water. That confidence and strength can be life-saving in an emergency.

3. Swim 25 yards to the exit of the pool.

4. Practice exiting the pool without using a ladder.

5. Never swim alone. Even children who are strong swimmers should never be left unsupervised.

Swimming lessons can help your child develop these skills and learn more about water safety. Regardless of your child’s swimming ability, it is important to pay close attention when your child is in or near any body of water, and to make sure he/she has the right life vest/flotation device for his/her age and skill level.

Many public and private swimming facilities have rules and practices in place to help keep their patrons safe. If your child is hurt at a pool or water park, you may be entitled to compensation for your family’s suffering if the swimming facility failed in some way to provide a safe environment. Contact Munley Law Personal Injury Attorneys for a free consultation, and we will answer any questions you may have.