what happens during a water safety course for children

Over the course of eight 40-minute sessions, adults and children learn important skills in and around water, including:

• Basic swim skills, like floating, blowing bubbles, the freestyle stroke and the front crawl
• Safety skills, like CPR, identifying a safe place to swim and water rescue techniques (“Reach or Throw, Don’t Go”)
• Survival swim skills, like pushing off the bottom of the pool to resurface (“Jump, Push, Turn, Grab”) and a method of swimming on your front and back (“Swim, Float, Swim”)

Full Answer

Why is water safety important for kids?

Water Safety. Drowning is a leading cause of death for children. Together, we can change that. Ensure every member of your family learns to swim so they at least achieve skills of water competency: able to enter the water, get a breath, stay afloat, change position, swim a distance then get out of the water safely.

What does the YMCA teach kids about water safety?

As "America's swim instructor," the YMCA teaches children of all ages and from all backgrounds that water should be fun, not feared, if you know how to stay safe in and around water. Drowning can happen nearly anywhere with standing water — but as a parent or caregiver, you can’t keep your kids sidelined.

What are some water safety tips for kids?

Here are some other good water safety tips: Learn to swim. Always put on plenty of sunscreen before you go outside. Drink plenty of water and fluids when you're outside swimming and playing so you don't become dehydrated. Stop swimming or boating as soon as you see or hear a storm. Don't swim in the dark.

What are the basic water safety skills?

Learn swimming and water safety survival skills. Children, inexperienced swimmers, and all boaters should wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets. Always swim in a lifeguarded area. Provide close and constant attention to children you are supervising in or near water.

How do you explain water safety to a child?

Parent Tips:Empty water from buckets and other containers immediately after use.Use toilet locks to prevent the drowning of toddlers. Do not leave young children alone in the bathroom.Never leave young children unsupervised in the bathtub.Avoid using infant seats in the bathtub due to a tip-over risk.

What are the 4 rules of water safety?

Never swim alone; swim with lifeguards and/or water watchers present. Wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket appropriate for your weight and size and the water activity. Always wear a life jacket while boating, regardless of swimming skill. Swim sober.

What is the most important rule of water safety in child care?

The most important rule for water safety still lies with adults: never leave your child unsupervised near any amount of water for any amount of time. Nonetheless, you should still teach your children about water safety.

What are basic water safety skills?

The 5 basic water safety skillsStep or jump into the water over your head.Return to the surface and float or tread water for one minute.Turn around in a full circle and find an exit.Swim 25 yards to the exit without stopping.Exit from the water. If in a pool, be able to exit without using the ladder.

What are the 7 basic skills in swimming?

Basic Swimming StrokesFRONT CRAWL.Kick. The flutter kick begins at the hips and flows to the feet. ... Arm Stroke. ... Breathing and Coordination. ... BREASTSTROKE.Kick. ... Arm Stroke. ... Breathing and Coordination.More items...

Why is it important to learn water safety?

Knowledge of swimming and water safety can reduce a child's drowning risk and provide them with skills that may one day save a life.

What age are children allowed to swim alone?

Children aged between 4 and 7 must be accompanied by a responsible person on a maximum two-to-one basis. Children under 4 years of age must be accompanied by a responsible person on a two-to-one basis. Children aged between 4 and 7 must be accompanied by a responsible person on a three-to-one basis.

What are some examples of water safety?

Water safety at dams and waterwaysSupervise your child around waterways.Warn your child of the dangers of swimming in dams and rivers.Make sure you have a safe play area for your child well away from any dam or waterway.Always swim with a friend or family member.Be aware of changing abilities and fitness levels.More items...

What age can a child use water wings?

This program is for ages 4 and up. Once classes start there are no schedule changes or make-up lessons. Payment is due before the program starts.

What are the 5 basic swimming skills?

Here are 5 basic swimming skills beginners need to learn:Breathing This is a frequently overlooked basic skill, but it is an important one. ... Floating. ... 3 Your body movement should be well co-ordinated. ... 4 Kicking. ... 5 Strokes.

Which safety skills would you teach to a beginner swimmer?

One of the first skills needed for swimming is learning how to hold your breath when under water. Though your child may be nervous about not being able to breathe when their face is submerged, controlling their breathing is an important safety skill that cannot be skipped.

What are the top 10 water safety tips for families?

Top 10 Water Safety Tips for Families. Water safety encompasses a person's behavior in and around the water. ... Never Swim Alone. ... Supervise Children When They're in the Water. ... Don't Play Breath-Holding Games. ... Always Wear a Life Vest. ... Don't Jump in the Water to Save a Friend. ... Enter the Water Feet First. ... Stay Away From Pool Drains.More items...•

What are the five safety rules in swimming?

Safety TipsAlways ensure that there is adult supervision when children are swimming.Never leave a child alone in or near the water.Never let children swim alone. ... Make sure children swim in supervised or designated areas.Never let a child swim during a storm or when there is lightening.More items...

What are the golden rules of water rescue?

Always keep a phone ready in case of emergencies. Look out for others: Always swim with a buddy: call for help when someone is in trouble. Never try rescue alone. Pack a Life Jacket: take Coast Guard-approved life jackets when going to the beach, lake or pool party to float properly.

How can we prevent water safety?

Water Safety—PreventionNever leave a young child alone in the bathtub, not even for a minute. ... Empty any buckets or other containers of their liquids.Keep bathroom doors closed and install childproof devices (such as doorknob covers) to keep your child out of the bathroom.More items...

What are the rules of swimming?

In every event, swimmers must make contact with the wall as they turn. In freestyle and backstroke, swimmers may somersault as they reach the wall, touching it only with their feet. In butterfly and breaststroke, swimmers must touch the wall with both hands simultaneously before executing the turn.