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Swim Lessons: The Life Skill I’ll Never Skip - National Swim Day
- MG Lorraine
- 17 hours ago
- 6 min read
As parents, we spend a lot of time teaching our kids the “tools” they’ll need in real life—things like driving, writing a thank-you note, riding a bike, or feeling comfortable at a formal event. For me, one tool rises to the top as both practical and life-saving: knowing how to swim.
Why swimming belongs in every kid’s “life toolbox”
Swimming is fun, healthy, and social—but it’s also a safety skill. Whether your family spends time at pools, lakes, rivers, beaches, or on boats, you can’t always predict when water will become risky. I’m a huge believer that everyone should learn to actually swim (not just splash or doggy paddle), because strong swim skills protect you—and the people around you.
A solid set of swim skills is critical for your own safety and for the benefit of those around you.
What we did: consistent lessons (and why)
Because we live near water, we started our kids in Red Cross–certified swim lessons around ages 2–3. I required a course every summer until they reached Level 6, and then we treated later summers as refreshers—right up until lifeguard eligibility around age 16. Not every family will choose the refresher route, but our kids were in and around water constantly: boating, canoeing, fishing, hiking near rivers, and swimming at friends’ houses. I wanted their skills to stay sharp—because accidents happen. In high school, I lost a friend who was a strong swimmer to drowning.
The moment it proved itself
When my daughter was nine, she was a Level 4 swimmer. One afternoon she was at a friend’s grandparents’ pool—people we knew, with adults present. I wasn’t worried until my phone rang and she used our family passcode and passphrase. In our house, that only means one thing: “No questions. Mom, please come now.”
When I arrived, it was clear why she called. The adults had been drinking heavily, and the kids in the pool were essentially unsupervised. My daughter told me, “Mom, they started talking funny. I knew it wasn’t safe. No one was watching us, and the other kids don’t swim very well. I got everyone out, but… what do we do now? We can’t leave kids in the pool when no one’s paying attention.”
“Being safe meant someone was always watching. No one was watching us. We weren’t safe.”
Later, I asked her how she knew it was time to call me. Her answer was simple: their instructor had spent time on pool rules, water safety, and what “preparedness” actually looks like. If no responsible adult is actively watching swimmers, the situation isn’t safe—no matter how familiar the setting feels. By the next morning, two of the adults were arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
She used that passcode only three times while growing up. Every time, I was grateful we had it—and that she trusted it. That day, it didn’t just help her. It likely protected every child who had been in that pool.
Why a certified instructor matters
We say, “It takes a village to raise a child,” and this is one place I’ve found it to be true. Kids often absorb safety guidance differently from other adults—even when it’s something you’ve said a thousand times.
A strong program isn’t only about perfect strokes. It’s also about safety and stamina: floating calmly, rolling to breathe, and knowing what to do in a water emergency. Those are the kinds of skills a Red Cross–certified instructor starts building from the very first time a child gets in the water.
You can find out more about Red Cross swim classes in your area. The CDC notes that children ages 1–4 have the highest drowning rates, and that more children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death. (See the CDC’s latest Vital Signs coverage for recent trend context.) Life jackets and flotation devices are recommended, but not all “floaties” are appropriate for every situation—so it’s worth checking whether your family is using the safest life jackets. And if your child is ready to ditch floaties, this guide to the eleven pool rules for independent swimmers can help you think through what “independent” should really mean.
Extra layer: what the data (and prevention “layers”) make clear
Drowning can happen faster than most of us realize—often in under a minute. And while statistics vary by state and setting, the pattern is consistent: young children are at the highest risk, and lapses in supervision are a common factor.
The human element: supervision + education
It may seem simple, but attentive supervision is one of the most powerful ways to prevent drowning. Most child drownings happen in swimming pools during short periods of time where the victim is unsupervised, usually five minutes or less. It’s important never to leave a young child alone near water, as the overwhelming majority of fatal drownings in children under 5 occur when adults do not expect the victim to be swimming.
Education is another effective tool for drowning prevention. Some important safety techniques and methods include:
· CPR certification: Taking classes to learn CPR can help you save a child’s life in the event of a drowning incident.
· Survival swim lessons: These courses teach young children techniques for staying safe in water, including backfloating and swimming to safety.
· Touch supervision: Staying within reach of your child while they’re in or near water can help you stay focused and quickly respond to any potential distress.
· The “Water Watcher” system: A designated Water Watcher can help prevent drownings at group swims by supervising children and having a plan to quickly respond when someone needs help.
A quick pre-summer water safety checklist
· Schedule swim lessons (or a refresher) before your calendar fills up.
· Set a non-negotiable rule: a responsible adult is actively watching whenever kids are in or near water.
· Check life jackets for fit, condition, and the right use-case (pool vs. lake vs. boating).
· Review pool rules with kids before the first swim day.
· Check the expiration date on your sunscreen.
With Memorial Day marking the start of summer in the U.S., many of us will be around pools, lakes, and backyard gatherings. If you do one thing this season, make it this: invest in swim skills and build layers of protection around water. Then go enjoy the fun part.
Structural layers: barriers and “two lines of defense”
One more reminder that supervision and swim skills matter: many states and local jurisdictions require physical safety measures around home pools (and some, like California, strengthened those rules in 2018 through its Swimming Pool Safety Act). The big idea is worth borrowing anywhere: don’t rely on a single safeguard. Build at least two layers between kids and water—especially at homes where children visit.
Examples of pool-safety “layers” include secure fencing, self-closing or self-latching gates/doors, door or window exit alarms, compliant pool covers, and pool alarms designed to detect entry. If you have a pool—or your kids swim at homes that do—take five minutes to ask: What are the barriers here, and who is actively watching?
A fencing enclosure consistent with existing standards
Removable mesh fencing with a self-closing gate
A pool cover that meets international safety standards
Exit alarms for any doors or windows that provide direct access to a pool
A self-closing or self-latching device on any direct access doors
A pool alarm that can detect accidental or unsupervised access
Another measure that meets safety standards and provides the same or better protection
Technology can help (but it can’t replace supervision)
There are more “smart” pool-safety products than ever, including different types of pool alarms. Some can be useful as an added layer, but they vary widely—false alarms, delayed activation, and device placement can all limit real-world effectiveness.
Some companies market camera-based monitoring and AI-assisted systems (for example, CamerEye and Lynxight) that aim to detect signs of distress. Wearable alarms can also alert adults if a child is underwater too long—but wearables can detach, and even small delays matter in an emergency. Treat all of this as backup, not permission to relax supervision.
If you use tech, pair it with clear rules: a designated Water Watcher, phones away, and adults close enough to reach kids quickly. Tech is a layer—not the lifeguard.
Beyond the backyard: quick open-water reminders
Pools are only one piece of the picture. Lakes, rivers, and reservoirs add current, cold shock, murky water, and changing conditions—so “strong swimmer” doesn’t equal “risk-free.”
· Wear properly fitted life jackets when boating, paddleboarding, or when conditions are uncertain.
· Assume water is colder and deeper than it looks; enter slowly and watch for drop-offs.
· Teach kids to swim with a buddy and to get out immediately if they can’t touch, can’t see clearly, or feel tired.
· Pick a clear “home base” on shore and a boundary kids must stay within.
Thank you to Jared G. for reaching out and giving us an article on drowning!
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Happy swimming—and safe summer days to you and yours.
Until Next Time,
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