Waterloo Swim School-Swim Lessons in Austin Texas

A pool can be a source of fun and enjoyment, especially the family pool.  However, pools are a fascination for toddlers and small children who lack the cognitive ability to understand that a pool is DANGER.  It is the adult’s responsibility to protect these children (both theirs and others) from entering any body of water unsupervised.  Fortunately, there are multiple methods that exist for adults to provide layers of protection thus minimizing the risk of a child accidentally falling into the family pool (or any body of water).  Some keys to keeping children safe around pools include: supervision, barriers, swimming lessons and learning CPR.

However, as water holds endless fascination for toddlers, you must take every precaution to prevent your child from entering the pool without you. It is the adult’s responsibility to protect these curious and impulsive explorers from entering any body of water unsupervised. Fortunately, many proactive strategies do exist providing multiple layers of protection to help minimize the risk of a child “accidentally” falling into the family pool or any body of water. Supervision, combined with barriers (including double door locks, door alarms, pool alarms and perimeter yard fencing), pool safety fencing, swimming lessons and CPR/water safety awareness can help keep our children safe.  The following is an excerpt from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (www.ndpa.org) from their Position Paper titled: Layers of Protection Around Aquatic Environments to Prevent Child Drowning, January 21, 2009.

Supervision During Non-Water Activities: The NDPA recognizes that the strategies for supervision are different when families are engaged in water recreation and when they are not.

• ALWAYS know where children are. Never leave a child unattended in or near water in a pool, tub, lake, river, canal or ocean, even when lifeguards are present. Containers that may collect water (buckets, ice chests, non-used “kiddie” pools, aquariums, etc…) pose a serious drowning risk to young children.
• ALWAYS be aware of potential dangers in all environments, such as when visiting other homes, while on vacation, or at public/community pools. Survey the area for secure fencing, locked gates, covered pools and spas, and protected backyard ponds. Never leave your child in an environment with unprotected water hazards.
• Instruct babysitters and caregivers about potential pool hazards and emphasize the need for constant supervision of children and barriers.
• If a child is missing or unaccounted for, always check the pool or spa first.

Supervision During Water Activities: Unfortunately, many drowning incidents have occurred when people are actively engaged in swimming or other water play, and adults know children are in the water and those adults are nearby.

• Whenever infants and toddlers are in or around water, an adult should be within an arm’s length, providing “touch supervision.”
• In addition to parental supervision of young children, designate a “Water Watcher” to maintain constant watch over children in or near the water. The “Water Watcher’s” job is to watch the water at all times, without engaging in social activities, conversations, phone calls, reading, computer use, cooking, cleaning, or any other distracting activity. After fifteen minutes, a new “Water Watcher” should be designated so that supervision stays fresh. Ensure that the “Water Watcher” is a sober adult who knows CPR and has basic swimming skills.
• Do not use flotation devices as a substitute for supervision. “Water wings” or “floaties,” inflatable water rings, and other pool toys are NOT safety devices. Some flotation devices are designed to assist with building swimming skills and are designed to tilt children into a forward swimming motion. This could create risk for an unassisted young swimmer. Only US Coast Guard approved life jackets are designed and tested for safety.

Physical Layers Limiting Access to the Pool or Spa Area: For residential pools and spas the first line of physical defense is to restrict unauthorized access to the pool or spa area in its entirety.

• PROPERTY LINE OR PERIMETER FENCING – In a home with a pool or spa, a perimeter fence basically keeps out the neighboring children and uninvited adults. While perimeter fencing is an important barrier, it does not restrict access to the pool area from the home itself. Unfortunately, the house structure is often used as the 4th side of the fence around the pool and does not protect those children who live in the house or guests invited to the home.
• ISOLATION FENCING – Isolation fencing completely separates the pool or spa area from the house or other structures. It restricts unauthorized access from neighbors’ yards, other nearby buildings, and from inside the house. Isolation fencing is the preferred configuration for pool and spa protection.
• HOUSE DOORS – All doors providing direct access from the home to the swimming pool should be equipped with a self-closing, self latching device with a release mechanism placed no lower than 54 inches above the floor. Self-closing devices are available for use on sliding glass doors but will require more frequent maintenance to keep the track cleaned and the closing mechanism in proper working condition.

Physical Layers Restricting Access to the Water: In addition to fencing other physical layers are critical in preventing unauthorized access to the water in the pool or spa.

• POOL & SPA SAFETY COVERS – Choose only safety covers that meet the ASTM International voluntary standard F1346-91. Covers should be properly used and maintained. Rain water that collects on top of the cover should be promptly removed. Although ASTM International standards require that safety covers hold a minimum of 485 pounds, keep children and pets off of all safety covers.
• WINTER SAFETY COVERS – Made of mesh or vinyl, these covers provide a barrier to the water during the off-season, but require tools and some adult strength for installation. These covers are not for daily use. Choose a customized cover that fits the contours of the pool. Check routinely for wear and tear. Vinyl covers require constant pumping to prevent the pooling of rain or snow melt on top of the cover.

Alarms as Layers of Protection: In addition to the physical layers listed above, alarms are an important addition to creating a safer environment. Alarms can be added to windows, doors, gates and the pool to alert an adult of unauthorized access. While the primary goal of layers of protection is to prevent unauthorized access to the water, alarms are important to alert adults if access to the water has been made. Alarms can be your last line of defense and allow adults to respond to an emergency quicker.

• DOOR & WINDOW ALARMS – In the home, doors and windows that open to the pool area should be alarmed to alert adults when opened. The preferred system has a momentary shut off at the door located beyond the reach of children.
• GATE ALARM – Place a weather-resistant alarm on the gate mechanism, which can sound both at the pool and in the home, to advise when the gate has been opened. (85 dB for a distance of 10 feet)
• SURFACE ALARMS – Surface alarms are floating alarms that detect motion on the water’s surface. The alarm can sound both at the pool and in the home when the surface of the water is breached. While very low cost, typically under $200, most models have a high false-alarm rate due to wind and rain and should never be relied on alone.
• SUBSURFACE ALARMS – Alarm technology continues to improve and available models include underwater alarms which attach over the edge of the pool to the pool wall, or under water. The alarms are designed to sound an alarm immediately when a child enters the pool. Look for a pool alarm that is professionally installed, detects immediately, one that doesn’t create false alarms and can reset after swimming.

Swimming Lessons as a Layer of Protection:

• EVERYONE SHOULD LEARN TO SWIM – Swimming is not an instinctive skill for humans. We can not survive in water unless we are taught how to swim. All adults and children should learn to swim.
• ROLE OF SWIM LESSONS – Adults should be smart and aware; never consider children “drown proof” because they’ve had swim lessons. Nothing will ever eliminate the risk of drowning. Even an Olympic Swimmer can drown.
• WHEN TO START – Always speak with your pediatrician before considering any water safety/swimming lessons for children. With the right instruction, children can gain skills and a love for the water even at a young age.
• INCLUDE WATER SAFETY – Ensure that swim instruction includes water safety and survival education at the appropriate developmental level.
• SELECTING A PROGRAM – Check if the instructor is trained in swim instruction, child development, and currently certified in CPR (some are not). Observe classes before enrollment and monitor lessons for safety skills, the effectiveness of the instructor, the child’s reception to learning, and progress. Lessons should be continuous, year-round, not taken for just one season. Skills need to be developed and maintained.

Remember, responsible parents and caregivers will put into action all the measures necessary to safe guard their child.  Do not leave it up to others by assuming they have provided safety measures.  Finally, the above is not an extensive list of procedures to prevent your child from drowning.  Please educate yourself through visiting site highlighted on our Links page as well as sites across the internet and books in the library.

Waterloo Swim School…“Where Swimming Happens”