“Drowning is the #1 cause of unintentional injury-related death among children ages 1 to 4 and the #2 cause for children up to 14.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
In Ontario alone, there has been 43 drowning deaths from January to July 15, 2019. It is a scary statistic and that is why it is important to address water safety all year round.
At Aqua-Tots Swim Schools, their primary purpose is to save lives by teaching children to swim and educating people about how to remain safe in and around the water. Recently, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools in Canada hosted a new event called, Swim with Your Clothes On to kick off National Drowning Prevention Week.
The Swim with Your Clothes On Event was an important and interactive 30-minute lesson for children. In addition, to understanding and practicing water safety, the children had an opportunity to experience what swimming with their clothes on would feel like if ever faced with an emergency. In this event, children were taught the importance of water safety, how to swim with their clothes on, and how to assist others who are in danger.
When we heard about the Swim with Your Clothes On event, we jumped at the opportunity to attend. We want to ensure that we take every step possible in teaching our daughter water safety. What we love about Aqua-Tots Swim Schools is these wonderful events are offered for free for families in the community who are members.
Event Exercises
On top of the wonderful swimming curriculum, there were a few exercises that pertained to water safety that we are honoured to share with our readers.
- Children were taught to ask an adult for permission before going swimming and knowing the adult should go in first.
- To turn on their backs/roll over and float on their backs if they fall in to get air, and while resting on their backs in the water call for help.
- Lastly, “reach, throw and don’t go in” which taught children not to go in after someone has fallen into the water. Instead they were taught to lie on their bellies at the edge of the water (in this position you won’t fall in yourself) and throw a life saving device to the person in need to pull them in (e.g. rope, pool noodle, etc.) back to safety.
These exercises were well thought out and executed at this event and you could tell that the children were grasping the concept of drowning prevention. Nikki truly enjoyed each exercise but I could tell that she enjoyed saving her coach with the pool noodle the best.
On the way home, Nikki turned to me and said, “Mom, I can save you if you ever fall in the water. So, don’t you worry!” That sentence alone means that the event was a raving success in our books. To know that my child is confident enough with what she learned that she could save her mom is just perfect! Thank you, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools.
Aqua-Tots Swim Schools didn’t forget about the parents watching the lesson as they also provided us with a great idea and tip. We were provided with a “Water Watcher” lanyard that we can use when children are in the water. So, what exactly is this lanyard? The lanyard states: “While wearing this tag, I agree to supervise the children in the open water or pool, keeping them in sight at all times. I will not leave the water area without finding an adult to replace me.” Love, Love, Love this! I think everyone should adopt this concept as it could really prevent drownings. Since I have this lanyard, I will be taking it to any pool party that we are invited to – you have been warned family and friends.
Above all, this event was a great way to kick off National Drowning Prevention Week and to make sure that the conversation is happening around water safety.
There are three ways that you can save lives too and these include: Enrolling in Swim Lessons; Supervising children in or around water; and spreading tips related to water safety awareness. This is what we can do as parents and as a community as drowning is silent and preventable.
To learn more about water safety tips and/or to enroll in swim lessons with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools Canada, click here for Mississauga or click here for Burlington.
Let’s stay safe in and around water. Until next time…Happy Parenting!
-Momma Braga
This article is a paid partnership with Aqua-Tots Swim Schools. Views and opinions expressed here belong to Momma Braga.
