Drowning has no season.  Water safety should be kept top-of-mind all year long.  Even if you do not own a pool, it is crucial to understand the importance of water safety.

By enrolling your child in ISR Self-Rescue™ Swimming Lessons at MI Swim School, you have taken a huge step toward keeping your child safe in and around the water.   ISR is an important layer of protection as part of your overall water safety plan.  These layers are essential because the reality is that most children do not drown because of LACK of supervision, it is a LAPSE in supervision, and it only takes a momentary distraction for a curious toddler to get out of your sight.

Water Safety Experts agree that no single device or solution can prevent child drownings. Parents, caregivers, aquatic facility owners, managers and operators should use “layers of protection” to provide a system of increased security to prevent unauthorized access to bodies of water, especially important for children. This means that multiple strategies or devices are used constantly and simultaneously.  Including:

• Effective Supervision – the most important defense. Never turn your back on your child around water. Remember, cell phones, snacks, books and other people are distractions to your effective supervision. Supervise the water in turns with another adult to make sure your child has 100% of your attention.  Be the “CEO” of your child around water.  Constant Eyes On.
• Not only around the pool!  The ocean, rivers, lakes, even bathtubs, toilets, kiddie pools and buckets present a drowning risk for small children.  Always be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for these potential dangers.

• Pool Fences, Locks and Alarms – Make sure your pool is appropriately secured, year-round, with a permanent four-sided pool fence including a self-closing, self-latching gate. Pool alarms are an added layer of security. Door locks should be double sided key, up out of reach or as child resistant as possible. Pet doors also present a significant hazard for infants and young children.

• Educate Others. Nannies, grandparents, neighbors and caregivers should know your water safety rules and have appropriately installed security devices where relevant.

• Store All Toys. Toys are tempting; never leave them outside around water areas.

• Keep a phone by the pool. To be used for emergencies only. Don’t count on the cell phone in your pocket in case you need to jump in.

• Aim pool jets toward the pool’s shallow end. This creates a current that can guide a child toward the steps to exit the pool.

• Keep water levels full. This helps your child reach the elevated ledge and either get out of or hold on and call for help.

• Maintain CPR/1st Aid skills. Take a CPR/1st Aid class and encourage all caregivers to do the same.

• Refresher Lessons are also important for your child. As your child continues to grow their ISR Self-Rescue™ skills will need to grow with them. Remember that swimming is a sensori-motor skill. Similar to riding a bike or roller-skating, your child will not ‘forget’ what he or she learned, but may outgrow the body that learned these skills due to height and weight changes. If you haven’t already, please give your ISR Instructor a call to schedule your child’s Refresher Lessons.

Hazards of Flotation Devices

Flotation devices such as vests, arm bands, flotation swim suits, etc, give children a false sense of security and hold them in postures that are not compatible with swimming skills. If a child learns that he can jump in the water and go into a vertical posture and he will be able to breathe, he is getting the wrong idea about that environment. Flotation devices are for children who cannot swim. Children who cannot swim should not be allowed to learn that it is safe to play in the water while relying on a crutch. Life jackets must be worn in a boat or around the water when there is the potential for an accidental submersion; they are not a substitute for the ability to swim or for adult supervision.