While we all look forward to the waterlogged joys of summertime (dips in the pool and dives in the ocean!), it’s important to be aware of the increased health risks that accompany water play, especially with young children. To get a better sense of water-related risk and how to properly manage it, we spoke with Jim Spiers—President, CEO
and Owner of SwimJim aquatic education programs and Board Member of the Swim
For Life Foundation—for his advice on how to stay safe.
At what age should children start learning to swim?
We start children at six months. It is a great time for exploration and bonding for the parent and child. The truth is that every age is a great age to learn to swim if you have never learned before. You are never too old or too young to learn to swim.
What are common hazards for the tub, the pool and ocean?
More children drown in bathtubs than in any other product in the home. Most cases involve a child left unattended in the tub. The biggest pool hazard is lack of
supervision. Other issues are the lack of layers of protection such as fencing
and gates that close automatically and lock. Issues for the ocean are lack of
appropriate supervision such as trained lifeguards, currents and overconfidence
of skills.
How many child drownings occur each year in the U.S.?
An average of about 240 children
under five years old drown in swimming pools nationwide each year. But the Consumer Product Safety
Commission (CPSC) also has reports of about 110 children under five
who have drowned in other products in and around the home each year. These
products include bathtubs, hot tubs, spas, buckets and other containers. The
second leading cause of accidental death in the U.S.
for children ages 1-14 is drowning.
Do you recommend that children wear water wings in the pool?
I feel that water wings and
floatation give the parents and the children a false sense of security. There
is no better prevention than an attentive parent or water watcher, swimming
lessons and gates that close automatically, fences and other multiple layers of
protection.
Should children learn to swim in group or private lessons?
Some children require the quieter
more focused approach of private [lessons]. Other children learn better in a
group environment. Positive peer pressure, and learning through watching is a
strong motivator for young children.
What would surprise parents the most to learn about water safety?
There is no replacement for
supervision no matter what the age or skill level.
What should you do if you see a child drowning?
First, swim to where there is a lifeguard
and notify the guard immediately. Second, if you are on your own, yell for
help. If you are a swimmer, take something with you that floats and go retrieve
the child. Call 911, follow their instructions and stay on the phone until help
arrives. Non-swimmers should yell for help, find something like a pole to reach the child and bring them to the side. Call 911, follow their instructions and stay on the phone until help arrives.
How can parents learn CPR to ensure that they are prepared for water-related emergencies?
There are many groups that offer CPR. Classes are usually about six hours long. Parents can contact their local Red Cross office or go online and look
at the American Heart Association website (heart.org) for classes in their area.
Are there any water floatation devices (pool rafts, water noodles, etc.) that are unsafe for children under a certain age?
All floatation devices are best used when the person using them has swimming skills or an adult within arms reach in the water. The safest floatation device is a U.S. Coastguard Approved Lifejacket. Reminder, lifejackets should be worn by everyone on all boats and by non-swimmers in open water environments. Lifejackets in pools should not replace proper supervision.
What is the greatest water safety issue facing NYC children?
Lack of proper supervision. If you look at the statistics, most drownings in any body of water are due to lack of supervision and proper risk management. Also, lack of swimming skills and overconfidence. There are so few pools in the city and not everyone has the means or access to swim programs.
Are there any final water safety tips you can share?
Always have a water watcher who is trained in CPR and First Aid. Have all of the emergency numbers posted. Swimming lessons are very important but should not replace an attentive water watcher.
Water, Water Everywhere: A List Of Where To Learn Water Sports Locally
SWIMMING
14th Steet Y 14streety.org
92nd Street Y 92y.org
Aqua Skills aquaskills.com
Asphalt Green asphaltgreen.org
Imagine Swimming imagineswimming.com
New York Sports Club mysportsclubs.com
Physique Swim School physiqueswimming.com
SwimJim swimjim.com
Take Me To The Water takemetothewater.com
Your Local YMCA ymcanyc.org
FISHING
Big City Fishing hudsonriverpark.org
Catch-And-Release
Fishing centralparknyc.org
Go Fish bpcparks.org
Governors
Islandgovisland.com
Lower East Side
Ecology Center lesecologycenter.org
SheepsheadBaynycfishing.com
Steeplechase Pier nycgovparks.org
KAYAKING
Downtown Boathouse downtownboathouse.org
Jamaica Bay Wildlife
Refuge nyharborparks.org
Manhattan Kayak
Company manhattankayak.com
New York Kayak
Company nykayak.com
SAILING
Atlantic Yachting atlanticyachting.com
Hudson River
Community Sailing hudsonsailing.org
Hudson River Sloop
Clearwater clearwater.org
Manhattan Sailing
School sailmanhattan.com
Offshore Sailing
School offshoresailing.com
SURFING
CoreysWave Surf
Lessons, Montauk coreyswave.com
Ditch Plains Beach,
Montauk montauk-online.com
RockawayBeachnycgovparks.org
Skudin Surf, Long
Beach skudinsurf.com
Surf 2 Live, Long
Beach surf2live.com
