It’s summer and it’s time to get your kiddos swim lessons. You do a quick Google search on water safety tips, life jackets, and how to spot signs of drowning. Smart move — but experts want to make sure you’re not falling for some all-too-common (and risky) myths.
The Floaties Myth All Parents Should Know
One of the biggest myths? That water floaties keep kids safe. Olympic gold medalist Rowdy Gaines, vice president of partnerships and development for the Pool and Hot Tub Alliance (PHTA), says floaties give parents a false sense of security.
“You pop a kid into floaties and think, ‘All set!’ But that’s the furthest thing from the truth,” says Gaines. “Floaties don’t teach swimming skills, and worse, they can flip off, pop, or tip kids over,” he adds.
A survey done on behalf of PHTA found that 66% of parents believe floaties keep kids safe in water. The truth? They’re not approved safety devices — and they definitely aren’t a substitute for supervision.
Swim safety expert Jim Spiers, president of the nonprofit Stop Drowning Now, puts it simply: “Floaties aren’t rescue gear — and they’re not a babysitter.”
The real MVP of water safety? You. Stay close, stay alert, and always keep eyes on your little swimmers.
Drowning is the leading cause of death in children between the ages of 1 and 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), so be sure that eyes are on your children in the water at all times.
It takes a long time for a kid to develop advanced water skills. Start swim lessons for kids early and have them often until your child is secure. And after that, it’s STILL major to supervise friends and family who are engaged in water activities.
But … No Shame!
Rowdy Gaines isn’t totally against floaties — but he does want parents to use them wisely.
“Floaties can be a great way to help kids feel comfortable in the water,” says Gaines, who leads the PHTA’s Step Into Swim initiative. “But they should never become a crutch.”
His biggest plea to parents? Don’t zone out.
“I’m begging parents — please don’t take your eyes off your kids when they’re in or around water,” he says.
Even with floaties, nothing replaces your watchful eye. So go ahead and use them as a tool — just not a substitute for supervision.
Drowning is Silent
Knowing what drowning looks like, Spiers adds, is also very important
“Drowning is silent. It’s quiet. It also does not look like a panic,” he says. “Drowning does not look like the movies. It’s not actually yelling and screaming ‘help’ or arms flailing. If a child or person has submerged in the water, they’re having trouble getting their breath,” he adds.
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Swim Lessons: How Many Does it Take?
And when it comes to swimming lessons for all ages, it’s very important. The number of lessons a child needs varies depending on their age, skill level and individual learning pace. It may take up to 30 lessons to achieve basic proficiency.
A more detailed breakdown:
- Infants (under 1 year old): 5-10 sessions help them acclimate to the water.
- Toddlers (2-3 years old): 20-30 lessons can be beneficial for learning basic skills.
- Young children (4-8 years old): 12-20 lessons can be a good starting point.
- Older children (9-12 years old): 8-20 lessons can help with skill refinement and potentially preparing for swim team tryouts.
- Beginners: Need more lessons to learn essential skills like floating, treading water, and swimming independently.
- Intermediate: May need 15-25 lessons to refine techniques and build stamina.
- Advanced: May only need a few lessons to refine skills or improve speed.
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