According to cdc.gov drowning is the leading cause of death
for children 1 to 4 years old. So many
parents are misinformed about what is safe when it comes to swimming. Read on to learn about some myths that many
parents need to know the truth about!
1.
MYTH: Doggie paddling is effective swimming.
FACT: Doggie paddling is NOT effective swimming! That is why, even from the youngest age
groups here at Five Star Aquatics, we teach students to do big scooping
arm. If you have a child that does the
doggie paddle, they are not safe to
swim alone or unsupervised because this type of swimming takes a lot of energy
to stay afloat. In many cases a child
who is doggie paddling will become tired and panicked, causing them to
submerge in the water and possibly drown.
2.
MYTH: My child can swim wearing floaties or
using a tube.
FACT: A child who relies on a
flotation device does NOT know how
to swim and should NOT be left
unattended. Again, even our youngest
age groups at Five Star Aquatics are taught without flotation devices. We believe that flotation devices during swim
lessons prevent students from learning the correct way to swim. The child who relies on their floaties may
either become extremely dependent on them or have a false sense of security in
the water, thus causing them to be very unsafe swimmers. Tubes are considered toys and not
lifesaving devices. These and other toys
such as rafts or noodles should be used only under the supervision of adults.
3.
MYTH: It’s better to wait until a child is older
to enroll in swim lessons.
FACT: The best time to start a
child in swim lessons is when they are a baby.
The earlier children get acclimated to the water, the easier it will be
for them to learn how to swim. We begin
lessons at only 6 months old at Five Star Aquatics. The longer you wait to introduce your child
to the pool, the more the fear takes over and children can build a phobia about
swimming. Some parents believe that babies
don’t learn much during their swim lessons, but there are many skills that
begin at this young age. In our Parent
& Child and Sea Horse classes, babies learn basic arm movements, kicking,
floating, blowing bubbles, and jumping into the water.
4.
MYTH: Summer is the best time to learn to swim.
FACT: If you waited until summer to enroll in swim
lessons, you waited too long. Summer is
the most common time that swimming takes place at the beach, lake, water park
or pool. You should prepare your child before this time of year comes to ensure
their safety. The most effective
swimmers take lessons throughout the fall, winter, and spring to stay on top of
their skills. At Five Star Aquatics we
offer swim lessons all year round in a warm, 90 degree, salt water swimming
pool.
.
5.
MYTH: My child doesn’t need to learn how to swim
because we don’t have a pool.
FACT: Swimming is an important life skill that everyone
should learn, whether you have a pool at home or not. No
matter how much you try to avoid it, there will always be a situation that may
arise when swimming would be necessary.
After all, the Earth is 71% covered by water. If you think you or your child can play it
safe by staying in the shallow end of the pool or only putting your feet in,
think again. The American Red Cross
states that drowning can and has occurred in less than one inch of water. Bathtubs, toilets, puddles, and buckets even
pose a threat to small children.
Are you, or someone you know, guilty of believing any of
these myths? Send this to a friend to
remind them about water safety. Teach
your children how to swim properly and always supervise them while around water.
