Drowning is a leading cause of death in children in nearly every country in the world according to the World Health Organization. Drowning is particularly common among children aged 1 to 4 years.
Source: Raj Rana/Unsplash
Will swim lessons help to prevent drowning?
These statistics are terrifying to parents, particularly parents of young children. So what can we do as parents to prevent drowning? Are swim lessons actually effective at preventing unintentional drowning? Or do they only give parents a false sense of security?
One study found that swim lessons for 1- to 4-year-old children reduced the risk of drowning by as much as 88%. However, this research is based on a small sample size given the relative rarity of drowning and further research is needed on this topic. This study also compared the drowning rates in children whose parents chose to participate in formal swimming lessons versus children whose parents did not and there are many other differences between these families. Although they tried to control for some differences such as age of the child, other health problems, exposure to the water, etc., there were some factors they did not control for, such as factors related to the parents. For example, it would make sense if parents who were experiencing more stress were less likely to sign their child up for formal swimming lessons and also less likely to supervise their child around water, meaning that parent stress causes both a lack of swim lessons and an increased risk of drowning rather than swim lessons reducing the risk of drowning.
Another study randomly assigned 2- to 4-year-old children to either 8 weeks or 12 weeks of swim lessons. The children in both groups showed improved swimming ability and improved in-water safety skills. However, the children showed little improvement in terms of out-of-water safety skills such as how to avoid falling into a pool (although this was something they specifically taught in the lessons). This is an important finding since most children (69%) who drown were not expected to be in water at the time of drowning, meaning that out-of-water safety skills are essential.
Research also suggests that parents of children in swim lessons often overestimate their abilities and supervise them less closely as a result.
TRANSLATION: There is some research suggesting that swim lessons may help your child to learn some basic swimming and safety skills but there is no evidence that swim lessons can entirely eliminate the risk of drowning. Make sure that you maintain constant supervision of any young children or developing swimmers (remaining within arm’s reach of the child) when in or even near water, regardless of swim lesson history.
What age should my child start swim lessons?
Research suggests that the age you start swim lessons may not matter as much as you might think. One study found that, regardless of when a child started swim lessons between 2 and 7 years, most children learned to swim around 4 years. Another study found that, regardless of whether children started swim lessons at 2, 3 or 4 years old and regardless of how many swim lessons they had, most children achieved the ability to do the “front crawl” stroke around 5.5 years.
The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that parents should start swim lessons whenever your individual child seems ready, considering your child’s maturity, developmental level, physical abilities, and comfort with being in the water.
TRANSLATION: You should start swim lessons when your child seems ready, ideally sometime between the age of 1 to 4 years. However, more swim lessons at a younger age may not mean that your child will learn to swim earlier.
What about ISR (Infant Swimming Resource) Self-Rescue Survival swim lessons or lessons for infants more generally?
There is currently no high-quality research on ISR techniques, survival swim lessons, or swim lessons for infants more generally. Although infants are capable of performing basic swim movements reflexively (see figure above), infants cannot be expected to understand safety protocols in the pool and how to react in an emergency. Infants are also not able to raise their heads to breathe so they can only “swim” for as long as they can hold their breath. Accordingly, swim lessons for infants younger than one are unlikely to increase your infant’s safety in the water.
It is also important to remember that infants and young children may not generalize what they learn in one environment to another. For example, even if they learn self-rescue in a pool, they may not be able to apply these skills when they unexpectedly fall into a lake.
TRANSLATION: Swim lessons before 1 may make your child more comfortable in the water but are unlikely to significantly reduce their risk of drowning.
What about flotation devices, such as Puddle Jumpers, and life jackets?
Source: Leo Rivas/Unsplash
There is also some evidence that wearing a life jacket when playing in or near water may reduce drowning risk in young children and research estimates that wearing a like jacket may prevent one in two drowning deaths among recreational boaters. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all young children and people who cannot swim wear a life jacket that is approved by the US Coast Guard. The most common life jacket or flotation device for young children called a “Puddle Jumper” (see picture above) has gotten a bad rap in popular the media but is actually certified by the US Coast Guard and is likely a safe option when combined with constant adult supervision. There is no research suggesting that flotation devices or Puddle Jumpers specifically increase the risk of drowning or delay a child’s ability to swim. However, any type flotation device that is not approved by the Coast Guard (such as floats that only go around the arms, blow-up toys or rafts, or floats for infants) are not recommended due to safety concerns.
TRANSLATION: Your child can use Puddle Jumpers or other floatation devices certified by the US Coast Guard if you would like them to. These devices may help to keep your child safe (particularly when boating) but they should not replace constant adult supervision since these devices are not 100% reliable.
Is there anything else I can do to keep my child safe around water?
Provide constant supervision of children in and around water: Adults should provide constant, close (within arm’s reach) supervision whenever a child is in or even near the water. Providing constant supervision may be the most effective intervention as 71 to 85% of drowning deaths may involve inadequate supervision. Adequate supervision involves being close to the child (within arm’s reach) and ready to intervene at all times when near a body of water.
Be aware of your surroundings and build or advocate for fences around any body of water: Fencing off pools and bodies of water may also be one of the most effective strategy for preventing drowning. Research finds that pool fencing can reduce drowning risk by as much as 50%. Pool fencing should be four-sided and is most effective when it includes the pool only rather than the pool plus some or all of the yard. When you visit anywhere with a body of water, ask about access to water and details about fencing.
Teach water safety: In addition to swim lessons, make sure your child learns about general water safety, including teaching children what to do if they fall in the pool unexpectedly (such as practicing self-rescue with clothes on), explain to children what they should do if they see another child in the water who needs help, and how to call for help when they need it themselves. You may also want to create a rule in which your children must always ask an adult’s permission before getting in the water.
Assign a “water watcher”: When in large groups of children and adults (such as at a party), it may also be helpful to assign an adult "water watcher" whose job is to constantly keep eyes on the children in or near the water. The “water watcher” should not be using their cell phone or engaging in any other activities and should switch off with other adults for breaks.
IMPORTANT NOTE: I am a psychologist and not a medical professional. Please consult with your pediatrician or family doctor about any questions related to swim lessons or water safety.
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Welcome to the Parenting Translator newsletter! I am Dr. Cara Goodwin, a licensed psychologist with a PhD in child psychology and mother to three children (currently an almost-2-year-old, 4-year-old, and 6-year-old). I specialize in taking all of the research that is out there related to parenting and child development and turning it into information that is accurate, relevant, and useful for parents! I recently turned these efforts into a non-profit organization since I believe that all parents deserve access to unbiased and free information. This means that I am only here to help YOU as a parent so please send along any feedback, topic suggestions, or questions that you have! You can also find me on Instagram @parentingtranslator, on TikTok @parentingtranslator, and my website (www.parentingtranslator.com).
DISCLAIMER: The information and advice in this newsletter is for educational purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical, mental health, legal, or other professions. Call your medical, mental health professional, or 911 for all emergencies. Dr. Cara Goodwin is not liable for any advice or information provided in this newsletter.
Does Your Child Need Swim Lessons?