As parents of young children, you have probably come across the term “drown-proofing.” Drown-proofing is a method for surviving in water disaster scenarios without sinking or drowning. The promise of drown-proofing often gives parents false security that there is a way to magically protect their child from drowning with a couple of classes. The truth is that no one is ever 100% protected from drowning. Whether you are a skilled child or an adult, drowning can happen under many different circumstances. Which is why learning important water safety measures, as well as how to swim, are your best defenses in a water emergency.
Infant swim and drown-proofing
Now that you know you can’t fully drown-proof your child, this shouldn’t deter you from enrolling your baby in swim lessons! Although drown-proofing (similar to ISR) focuses on survival skills, it doesn't provide students with the techniques they need to swim. This method has also been proven to promote an unhealthy fear of water that can linger into adulthood. Infant swim lessons allow students to positively connect with the water, while also learning the fundamental skills they will need in the early swim stages.
Swim lessons over drown-proofing
The drown-proofing method focuses more on floating techniques than swimming. The downfall of this idea is that while your child may be able to float to stay above water, the body temperature begins to drop, causing hypothermia if left floating for too long. However, swim lessons will teach your child not only to float, but also conserve energy and swim to safety. Drown-proofing techniques may not always stick after the training period is over. Whereas, swim lessons provide you with techniques and knowledge to bring with you year after year, making it the best choice when looking for beginner swim classes.
Safety precautions and drown-proofing
The false security of drown-proofing classes may also cause parents to forgo other precautions needed for pool-safety (i.e. leaving a child unattended or the pool unguarded). Teaching beginner swimmers pool/water safety and preventative measures are the best ways to prevent and/or handle water emergencies.
So if you are looking into how to “drown-proof” your child, consider all the skills they need to give them the best possible chance for success in the water. Start swimming lessons today!