Why you shouldn't wait to teach your kids to swim

Megan Raposa -

This is a paid piece from SafeSplash Swim School - Sioux Falls.

Simplified: May is Water Safety Month, and as the weather warms up and folks prepare to spend more time in pools, lakes and rivers, it's a good time to remember the life-saving importance of swimming lessons for kids.

Why it matters

  • Drowning is the leading cause of death for children age 1 to 4, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and every year in the United States, there are an estimated 4,000 fatal unintentional drownings each year.
  • Because of these risks, experts at the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) recommend that swimming be the first sport your kids learn. That doesn't mean your toddler needs to be able to swim laps – instead, the first goal of swimming lessons should be self-rescue.
  • SafeSplash has perfected the programming to teach these essential skills, and their S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise guarantees your kid will learn the critical self-rescue skills needed to pass their water safety test in one year or less – or, SafeSplash will provide up to two months of free lessons to help them succeed.
"Water Safety Month is about knowing the layers of protection you should have in place to prevent drownings," said Dan Sobocinski, owner of SafeSplash's three Sioux Falls locations. "And making sure your kids know those self-rescue skills in the event they do fall into water is essential."

Tell me more about the S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise

SafeSplash's lessons will teach ten essential skills in one year or less, and their S.A.F.E.R. Swimmer Promise is endorsed by the NDPA.

Here's a look at those essential skills:

  • Jump in safely,
  • Can move into a horizontal position at the top of the water,
  • Can freestyle with breathing for 20 feet,
  • Front to back rollover,
  • Can back float for at least five seconds,
  • Can turn around in the water and head in a different direction,
  • Can backstroke or swim on their back for at least 20 feet,
  • Can spot the wall or safest location to exit,
  • Back to front rollover,
  • Can safely exit the water.

Tell me more about water safety

The NDPA has identified "5 Layers of Protection" to prevent drowning. Those include:

  • Barriers and alarms to prevent unsupervised access to water,
  • Close, constant and capable adult supervision,
  • Water competency – this is where those self-rescue skills from SafeSplash come into play,
  • Use of U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets in and around natural bodies of water,
  • And emergency preparedness including skills in CPR.

How can I learn more?

You can learn more about SafeSplash Swim School and get signed up for lessons here.

New customers who complete lesson registration before Sunday, May 18th will receive a one-time, $30 discount off their first invoice. 

  • Must use Promo Code 30D0517 when making payment to receive the $30 discount.