Respect for Deep Water

January 14, 2019 by Tessa Rhodes Leave a Comment

I hope you had a wonderful holiday and maybe you even had a chance to rest. I had some much-needed downtime, but now it’s a new year and time to get back into the swing of things.

And even though I enjoyed doing nothing for a while, I’m happy to be back at work. It was a great first week back in the pool.

My students rock! They didn’t forget anything that they’ve learned so far.

respect for deep water. water safety, drowning prevention

Student Spotlight

Pictured below is almost 3-year-old David. He conquered the ultimate self-rescue challenge back in November, which means that if he were to fall into a pool fully clothed he would be able to get back to safety. Way to go David!

Respect for deep water. No child is 100% water safe.

David has learned respect for deep water

David has had regular exposure to the water which has taught him respect for deep water. He has learned a lot about water safety and often is required to make life-saving decisions.

He knows when he jumps in or falls into a pool, he needs to get to a safe place. His lessons have taught him that the wall or the stairs or an adult is a safe place.

So, David is now safer in the water. But just because he’s safer in the water, doesn’t mean he’s safe in the water. Accidents can and will happen, so David still needs to swim with a responsible adult. And that adult needs to stay within arms reach of David and never take their eyes off of him.

To Recap

THE BEST SAFETY FOR YOUNG CHILDREN IN AND AROUND WATER IS COMPETENT ADULT SUPERVISION AT ALL TIMES.

Until next time…

Love the water but fence it in,

Tessa

P.S. Test your knowledge of water safety. Take the quiz. You don’t have to enter any personal information. Get instant results.

P.P.S. Join my private Facebook group. If you need to help your child overcome their fear of water or if you’re a swim instructor and would like to share some tips and tricks on the subject, please join my private Facebook group here.

P.P.P.S. To start your child on the path to becoming water safe, click here.

What Is Breath Control in Swimming?

December 18, 2018 by Tessa Rhodes Leave a Comment

What Is Breath Control?

Remember Abram from about a month ago? In case you missed it, here are Abram’s first two lessons. Well, now he’s one month shy of 4-years-old and has officially mastered breath control.

I was working on helping him get comfortable with putting his face in the water which is the first step in the learn to swim process. This skill is known as breath control. And to be able to do this for 10 seconds is the goal.

(This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.)

Once he has mastered breath control, the next step is floating on the front (prone float).

Most children can’t float immediately after becoming proficient with breath control. They don’t trust that the water will hold them, so it takes a little bit more time with appropriate activities and games that will help them to feel the water’s buoyancy and ultimately convince them that the water will float them.

Abram is the exception to the rule. He’s floating with ease and even propelling himself through the water with some basic arm and leg actions.

Check out the video. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry! It’s a must-see!

I hope you enjoyed the video. Until next time.

Love the water but fence it in,
Tessa

P.S. Test your knowledge of water safety. Take the quiz. You don’t have to enter any personal information. Get instant results.

P.P.S. Join my private Facebook group. If you need to help your child overcome their fear of water or if you’re a swim instructor and would like to share some tips and tricks on the subject, please join my private Facebook group here.

P.P.P.S. To start your child on the path to becoming water safe, click here.

4 Must-Haves for Your Vacation Getaway

November 22, 2018 by Tessa Rhodes Leave a Comment

Taking a trip over the holidays? Check out these 4 must-haves for your holiday adventures.

A baby wetsuit is an excellent option for infants instead of a swimsuit or in addition to it.

(This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.)

A well-fitted baby wetsuit will keep baby warm and secure.
It will help to trap solid waste. Because let’s be honest swim diapers alone don’t always do the trick. (Be sure to remove your baby from the pool the second you notice any solid waste because no one wants a re-enactment of the scene from Caddyshack.)
And the extra buoyancy that comes from the wetsuit helps baby float more efficiently. So your little one will master the back float in a shorter time.

The warmth, security and extra buoyancy that wetsuits provide for infants are not lost on older children either.

Your children will love how it makes them feel. Their confidence will sore as they discover how much easier it is to float. Wetsuits also keep the whole family safe from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

What better way to compliment a wetsuit but with a great pair of swim fins.

The best swim fins for kids are the Finis brand swim fins. There are many other wonderful brands of swim fins, but if you’re ordering fins online, naturally you’ll want them to fit just right so that you don’t have to go through the hassle of returning them. Finis brand sizes are perfect. They always coincide with my students shoe sizes.

You’ll need a kickboard for kicking practice with the new fins.

My students love kickboards. Especially those adorned with their favorite characters and sea creatures.

And last but not least keep them safe with their very own life jacket.

Make sure the child(ren) in your family who can’t swim always wear(s) a life jacket when around water. Stay within arms reach and never take your eyes off of your kiddos.

Got a Child Afraid of Water on the Face? Watch This Video

November 18, 2018 by Tessa Rhodes Leave a Comment

Got a Child Afraid of Water on the Face?

Got a child afraid of water on the face? Meet Abram. I am currently working on getting Abram to put his face in the water. The goal is to have him hold his breath and keep his whole face in the water for ten seconds.

More specifically with consistency and without hesitation. This skill is called breath control. Once he has mastered breath control, the next step in the learn to swim process is floating.

(This post contains affiliate links. This means if you click on an affiliate link and purchase the item, we will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Full disclaimer.)

This video will show you how easy it is to get kids as young as 2-years-old to put their face in the water with four simple activities. And without goggles or a nose clip which is the recommended approach. Goggles can be introduced after they have mastered this first step.

Abram is two months shy of 4-years-old and is not comfortable with water on his face, yet he is willing to try everything that I present to him.

The reason for this is simple. He’s in control. And as long as he is in control, he feels comfortable and relaxed.

By staying in the shallow end of the pool or on the steps, he knows that he’s safe, so that relaxes him and when he’s relaxed he’s willing to challenge himself.

As a swim instructor or parent, your job is to motivate and encourage your child or student with activities like the ones in the video. And to never force the child’s head under the water. It will only prolong the process. It’s also dangerous and irresponsible.

And finally, when your kid or student pours water down his face or puts his face in the water for a split second all by himself, remember to praise his accomplishments. (Check out this blog post for more on this subject.)

I hope that you have the opportunity to try some of the suggestions in the video. And if you do, let me know how it went. I would love to hear all about it.

Update: A month has passed since I wrote this post. If you would like to see Abram’s progress, click here.

Love the water but fence it in, so
Tessa so

P.S. Test your knowledge of water safety. Take the quiz. You don’t have to enter any personal information. Get instant results.

P.P.P.S. To start your child on the path to becoming water safe, click here.

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