Frequently Asked Questions

What is Water Safety & Survival?

Water Safety & Survival is a method of teaching infants and young children how to hold their breath, rest and float and to swim to safety.   A child also learns several other survival techniques such as learning to swim with their eyes open underwater, and to swim back to the stairs, to reach for the wall, to get back on the float or swim back to the dock.  We believe it is extremely important for a child to know what to do in the event of an aquatic incident, rather than rely on adult supervision, or the lack thereof.   Accidents happen…even with the best intended parental supervision. A child that learns key survival skills has a much better chance at saving themselves in a real life drowning accident.


Will I need to practice?

Practice only if you want to... otherwise, while you're at the pool with your child - have fun!  Your child, being in a weekly skill & confidence building lesson will practice his/her water skills naturally!  Our "Once a Weeker Tweeker Program" lesson is a perfect way to work on your child’s skills and self esteem, once a week! This is a lifelong skill we’re working on, not just a passing fancy! It will take time to perfect your child’s skills. A refresher week is usually needed every six months for the student to feel comfortable as they grow.

Why should I consider enrolling my child in this program?
Voted by parents, the absolute BEST swim program in the State of Colorado. We teach children how to swim in weeks, not in years! If you enjoy swimming and take vacations around beaches, lakes, pools, hot tubs, ponds, etc. Maybe you have never learned how to swim and you want this for your child. Teaching young children survival swimming skills helps to protect them from a dangerous environment in their early years and leads to a lifetime enjoyment of the water. Swimming at an early age enhances motor skill development as well as lung capacity. The exercise is ideal and has proven to help the immune system.

How do I protect my child from drowning?
Swimming year-round is the best way to protect your child from the very real danger of the water. Year-round swimmers retain a healthy respect for the water and build skills way beyond those of seasonal swimmers. Drowning is not only a summer danger. Open water, jacuzzi’s and even covered swimming pools can all be hazards.

Why at such an early age?
Classes in which babies are taught to “swim to mommy” are fun, but does that child realize “mommy” is catching her because she must, or just because it’s part of the fun? Same thing with armbands and other floatation devices: we send the wrong message to our children by making them “think” they are safe and can swim. It causes children to develop a false sense of security in the water Babies who learn proper breath control (not blowing bubbles), the survival roll and back float, have both, a healthy respect and love for swimming. Babies are stonger and more self confident in everything they do! 

Are there other long term benefits?

Scientific studies of infant swimming in Germany have shown that the early stimulation develops the child in three key areas - physically, mentally, and emotionally. Compared with a group that did not swim year-round, the children who swam consistently from infancy were significantly stronger and more coordinated. The muscles developed in a process similar to physical therapy enabled the children to excel at all physical activities and was not limited to swimming. The children scored higher for intelligence and problem solving, which carried over into excellence and alertness in school. Emotionally, the children who swim year-round were found to be more self-disciplined and to have motivation and confidence to succeed. From consistent goal setting, learning, and achievement, they rated high in self-respect.

It’s true, it’s real, and it’s right…

                                prevent pediatric drowning, now!

Warm Water-Warm Instructors-Warm Approach

                         

                           Property of Swim Otters Swim School, LLC    January 2008

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