Swim Smart: A Parent's Guide to Summer Water Safety with Kao Lor, Nurse Practitioner

Swim Lessons: Building Skills That Last a Lifetime 

“Swim lessons can help develop foundational skills that can be lifesaving in an emergency,” explains Lor. “The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children can start swimming lessons as young as one year old, when they can effectively raise their heads to breathe. However, several swim schools will start at six months old. The earlier they’re in the water, the more comfortable and confident they become. Also, the gentle movements a baby or toddler swim class offers can help build muscle memory and motor skills.” 

There are several aquatic programs for infants that recognize the developmental and safety benefits of early water exposure when done in a safe, supervised environment. These infant programs tend to focus on water acclimation, breath control and back float techniques. Some programs also offer parent-child aquatic classes that help parents learn how to handle their child safely in water, making it a great activity for the entire family. 

“As children grow, lessons will evolve from basic floating and kicking to full swim strokes, treading water and learning how to enter and exit the water safely. By ages four to five, most children are ready for formal independent swim instruction. The key to long-term water safety is consistency; regular swimming practice develops skills and confidence that can last a lifetime,” says Lor. 

Life Jackets & Safety Barriers: Layers of Protection 

Experts generally recommend that multiple layers of protection be used to prevent drowning because it is unlikely that any single strategy will prevent drowning deaths and injuries. Installing four-sided fencing that isolates the pool from the house and yard, and that closes and latches on its own around a residential pool is one of the most effective drowning prevention strategies available to families. Most of the time, this is required by insurance companies, but double-checking locks and latches for effectiveness is a great practice every spring. Other interventions include proper fitting life jackets, swim lessons, supervision and lifeguards. 

“It is proven that properly installed fences can reduce the risk of children drowning. Additionally, pool alarms, door alarms and safety covers are an additional layer of protection to consider,” explains Lor. 

In open water environments, like lakes, rivers and oceans, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets are essential for all young children and non-swimmers. It is important for parents to know that inflatable arm floaties, water wings and pool noodles are not safety devices. They tend to give parents and kids a false sense of security. Only properly fitted, certified life jackets should be used when safety is the priority. Life jackets should fit snugly, be appropriate for the child's weight and be worn at all times around open water. 

Supervision: The Most Important Safety Tool 

“Even with strong swimming skills and safety measures, nothing can replace active adult supervision,” warns Lor. “When a child is around or in water, a Water Watcher, an attentive adult whose sole responsibility is to watch the children in the water, should be present, with the appointed adult free from all distractions, including electronic devices. Their attention needs to be on the kids around the pool or in the water at all times.It is important to remember that drowning is quick and silent; a child in distress can go underwater in seconds, which is why eyes-on supervision is necessary.” 

As kids grow and swim skills enhance, Lor suggests the following guide, in line with recommendations from the AAP, for hands-on and eyes-on supervision of children in water: 

Infants and Toddlers (0-12 months) - Hands on at all times when in water with one adult to one child. You should be physically holding the child at all times. 

Little Kids (One to Five Years) - Touch supervision is still necessary. This means children who have swim skills and are more comfortable in the water should still be within arm’s length at all times. The goal is to be able to grab them instantly if needed. 

Big Kids (Six to 11 Years) - Eyes on adult. This is where the Water Watcher is extremely important. If your child is a competent swimmer, you don’t need to be within arm’s reach. But active supervision without distractions is necessary. 

Adolescents (12 Years to 21+) - Encourage a buddy system and establish strict rules. The increased risk for fatal drowning in adolescents can be attributed to multiple factors, including overestimation of skills, underestimation of dangerous situations, engaging in high-risk and impulsive behaviors, and substance use. It is very important to know the whereabouts of your teenager at all times as they will likely be out of sight to “hang out” with friends. 

Teaching Water Rules: Setting Boundaries Before They Ever Get In 

Establishing and consistently reinforcing pool and water rules is a significant part of water safety. Lor recommends teaching your children at an early age that there is no running around the pool, no diving in shallow water, no pushing others in and to ask for permission before entering a body of water. You should remind your child of these rules every time they are near water, regardless of how familiar the setting is. 

Open water is a unique environment and has its own hazards. Lakes, rivers and oceans have unpredictable currents, limited visibility and sudden drop offs.  

“Children should never swim alone in open water,” says Lor. “Instead they should swim with a buddy. Parents should also be aware of posted warning flags at beaches and teach children what they mean. Even strong swimmers can encounter conditions beyond their abilities, so caution and awareness are always necessary.” 

Water Emergency Preparedness: Being Ready When It Matters Most 

Despite all precautions, accidents can happen, and being prepared can make all the difference. Every parent, especially with young children, should be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, also known as CPR, from a national organization such as the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. In the case of a water-related emergency, bystander CPR performed before emergency services arrive can double or even triple a child's chances of survival. 

According to Lor, “it is a great practice for families to post emergency numbers like 911 or local poison control in the water areas of the home. Having a rescue ring, throwing rope or pole near the pool ensures that assistance can be provided to a struggling swimmer without putting another person at risk. Every family should teach their children how to call for help and reassure them that asking for help is always the right choice.”