New data around the world has found that early swim lessons (between age 1 and 4) may confer added protection against drowning. Maybe a new rule should be swim lessons before the start of school?
Many parents tell me in clinic that they are terrified about their children drowning. If you’re one of those, arm yourself with information: read some of the links (below) and consider signing up for lessons. However, don’t use swim lessons as an excuse to decrease vigilance around the pool or lake or riverside. Young children between age 1 and 4 years of age drown the most. Drowning happens quickly, and sometimes it’s very quiet or even silent.
Information, Myths, Truths, And Opinion About Swimming Lessons And Water Safety
- Never let an infant or toddler out of arm’s reach when swimming or playing in water. There is good data stemming from an article published in March of 2009 to suggest swimming lessons may prove to be protective against drowning. Drowning is the second most common cause of death from injury in kids less 14 or younger.
- 6 myths about water safety
- Lots of pediatricians support infant swimming. Read this
- Great safety tips for lakes, ponds, beaches, & pools
- Tips on water safety
My Previous Posts On Drowning Prevention & Water Safety
- Infant Swimming Lessons (2010)
- Toddler Swim Lessons (2011)
- Portable Pools: Real Risk, Real Responsibility (2011)
- Quieter, Faster, & Closer Than You Think (2010)
- Your Friend’s Pool (2012)
Meagan says
We’re planning to start swimming lessons when he’s 2 or 3… But I’d read somewhere tha early exposure to chlorine increases the chances of asthma. My husband and I both have asthma and our son has eczema, so we’ve planned to keep him away from pools up till that point. But I can’t remember WHERE I read that, Is the chlorine-asthma link true, or am I just making things up?
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
here’s the post I wrote (2 years back) about chlorine exposure, etc.
https://www.wendysueswanson.com/if-it-were-my-child-infant-swimming-lessons/
There are newer studies to back up the fact that chlorine is an irritant, esp to children prone to wheeze or who have hx of pulmonary problems and also that outdoor pools don’t confer a ton of benefit over indoor ones to reduce irritation for some babies/children.
Kristy says
To Meagan, there is also a trend of lots of private and public pools that are starting to use saline….worth checking into:)
Meagan says
Thanks Wendy!
@Kristy I’d heard something about that. Something to look for next year…
Meagan says
Just read your post. My perspective is a little different I guess, because neither I nor my husband is much for swimming. I have a friend with an above ground pool, and my parents live in a condo with a pool, so drowning is still a legitimate worry, but we never seek it out. Just not our thing. I’m still planning to sign my son up for lessons after he’s two, but we won’t be doing any mommy-infant playtime in the pool before that.
Sean the lawyer says
You should link to this youtube video. Discussions that drowning doesn’t look like drowning are not as effective as video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1mVcSUttX4
Wendy Sue Swanson, MD, MBE says
Hi Sean,
Yes–agreed,I have done a number of posts (above) with links to posts and videos. Thanks for leaving the You Tube link you did!
Jess Schumer says
A great example of a current Olympian working to reduce drowning in children.
https://video.msnbc.msn.com/rock-center/48319665/#48319665
Sean the lawyer says
That’s appalling that 70% of black kids don’t know how to swim. It’s not surprising that the wrongful drowning death of a 4 year old boy I worked on last year was black. He drowned in 3-4′ of water, and if he had had any swimming ability at all, if he’d been able to ‘bob to safety’, or swim at all, he could have would have reached the shore which was only 3′ away and about 18″ deep. So if you are a parent, and your kid doesn’t know how to swim, get them into lessons right now! I don’t want any more drowned children cases!
Kimmy Sue says
This is not directly related to the issue of swimming lessons to prevent drowning, but I read yours and Gill’s just moments apart. This amazing lady has wonderful posts about physical development related to cognitive development in infants, toddlers. and older children. Again, not directly related to the very important issue of preventing drowning, but I would highly recommend checking her out!
https://movingsmartblog.blogspot.com/2012/08/learning-to-swim-on-dry-land.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MovingSmart+%28Moving+Smart%29