Starr Swim Lessons

Great information. Know the signs and watch your kids!

Watch your kids while they swim. Many kids will drown right in front of their parents, because drowning doesn’t look like what you think it does.

Do YOU know what it looks like?

It’s not what you see on TV. TV dramatizes it to keep you in suspense and make you keep watching.

This is what drowning REALLY looks like:

1) It’s SILENT. No splashes. No screams. They are trying to breathe and can’t make noises.

2) It’s FAST! It takes 20-60 seconds.

3) There is no jumping out of the water or arms flailing around. It happens almost entirely under water.

4) Their head will be arched up, attempting to reach the surface to breathe. They may bob up and down just at the surface for a little while and this can look like doggy paddling/playing.

5) Under the water, they are in a vertical, up and down position and their arms and legs are cycling as if they are trying to climb a ladder.

6) They can’t move forward much, if at all….not enough to get to safety.

7) They can be right next to the wall or an exit and still not be able to reach it…and they will drown inches away from safety.

8 ) They can be in water shallow enough for them to stand in but not realize they can simply stand up, as they are in panic mode.

Learn to spot drowning. You just might save a little life!!

CAN YOU TELL WHEN A PERSON IS DROWNING? **Drowning is not the violent, splashing call for help that most people expect. It's not like in the movies!! Drowning is SILENT!!

***When they get quiet, you need to get to them and find out why.

This doesn’t mean that a person who is yelling for help and thrashing isn’t in real trouble—they are experiencing aquatic distress. Not always present before the instinctive drowning response, aquatic distress doesn’t last long, but unlike true drowning, these victims can still assist in their own rescue. They can grab lifelines, reach for throw rings, etc.

There are other visual cues to look for when trying to recognize a drowning person. They include the following:

- Head tilted back with mouth open
- Head low in the water, with mouth at water level
- Eyes glassy and empty, unable to focus
- Eyes closed
- Hair over forehead or eyes
- Not using legs
- Hyperventilating or gasping
- Trying to swim in a particular direction but not making headway
- Trying to roll over onto the back
- Appears to be climbing an invisible ladder

**Invest in swim lessons. Ages 2+ (Adults too!)

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children 1 – 4 years old.

Please talk to your children about water safety.

1. Never Swim Alone
2. Supervise Children when they are in the water. Do not let your guard down.
3. Don't Play breath holding games.
4. Wear a life vest. (Young or inexperienced children)
5. Don't jump in the water to save a friend. (Teach your child this tip! Instead throw them a safety device and/or get help!)
6. Enter the water feet first.
7. Stay Away from pool drains
8. Stay within designated swim areas.
9. Avoid using alcohol
10. Get CPR training

Invest in swimming lessons!