Drowning is the leading cause of injury death in the United States for children between the ages of 1 and 4 years old. Drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional death among United States adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19 years old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges that formal swim lessons for children at a younger age SAVES LIVES. The AAP had previously not recommended swim lessons for children younger than 5 years old. Based on new data the AAP now suggests that earlier swim lessons may actually lower drowning rates in children under the age 4.
American Academy Of Pediatrics revised policy statement. Below are 3 areas we wanted to focus on:
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WATER COMPETENCY
The ability to anticipate, avoid, and survive common drowning situations. Children need to increase water safety awareness, basic swim skills, and to recognize another swimmer in trouble. The AAP states – “Learning to swim needs to be seen as a component of water competency that also includes knowledge and awareness of local hazards and/or risks and of one’s own limitations.”
At Barron Swim School, we use specific language and cues in our curriculum to teach children to respect and be patient around the water. We educate them what is right and wrong around all bodies of water. We cover real life situations in our 2 times a year water safety weeks performed in the winter and spring seasons. Our weekly lesson plans cover all the basic water safety skills children need to learn to save themselves. -
CONSTANT SUPERVISION AROUND ALL BODIES OF WATER
American Academy Of Pediatrics states the following are essential when children are playing in or around water:
Parents and/or supervisors should know CPR – classes offered
Pools should be secured with a four-sided fence – per AAP – installation of 4-sided fencing with self-closing and self-latching gates that COMPLETELY isolates the pool from the house and yard is the most studied and effective drowning-prevention strategy for the young children, preventing more than 50% of swimming pool accidents of young children.
No child should be considered safe just because they’ve had swim lessons.
At Barron Swim School, we couldn’t agree more. Parents and those supervising children should be distraction free while watching children plan. Utilize our FREE water watcher tags provided at our front desk and available year round.
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POPULATIONS AT INCREASED RISK
There is a risk of drowning due to a person’s behavior, skill level, environment, or underlying medical condition.
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In conclusion, swim lessons provide 1 layer of protection from an accident happening, but do not drown proof a child. Barron Swim School recommends multiple layers of protection. Parents MUST continue to provide barriers to prevent unintended access to all bodies of water and to provide proper supervision. As the water safety experts, Barron Swim School’s mission is to educate our families and community on the importance of water safety.
Please lean on us for any questions or concerns regarding the aquatics world.
