safety tips

1. Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone.
2. Never leave a young child unattended near water and do not trust a child’s life to another child; teach children to always ask permission to go near water.
3. Maintain constant supervision.
4. Make sure everyone in your family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and learn-to-swim courses.
5. If you have a pool, secure it with appropriate barriers. Many children who drown in home pools were out of sight for less than five minutes and in the care of one or both parents at the time.
6. Avoid distractions when supervising children around water.
7. If a child is missing, check the water first. Seconds count in preventing death or disability.
8. Have appropriate equipment, such as reaching or throwing equipment, a cell phone, life jackets and a first aid kit.
9. Know how and when to call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number.
10. Protect your skin. Limit the amount of direct sunlight you receive between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. and wear sunscreen with a protection factor of at least 15.
11. Drink plenty of water regularly, even if you’re not thirsty. Avoid drinks with alcohol or caffeine in them.

faq

1. What age can children start lessons?
The age recommended by the American Red Cross is 6 months. You would need to enroll in our Parent Child class, Water Angels.
2. Can my 2 year old take lessons in the Learn to Swim classon their own?
Yes, if they can be without you not getting upset. Many children this age take this class especially if they have older siblings. However, this is a tricky age as many still want their parent with them. The Parent Child class is excellant for time in the water with your child. The short answer is it depends on the individual child.
3. When should we start Swim Team?
Most children are ready by the time they are six. However, they must be able to do Free Style and Back Stroke proficiently.
4. What age do you need to be to take the Lifeguarding class?
You can do the Lifeguarding class at the age of 15. We will do a swim test to see if you can accomplish the necessary requirements and let you know what you need to do to proceed.
Can my child be "drownproofed" (made safe at all times from drowning)?
No person is really "drownproof". Although children may propel themselves through the water after a few classes, they cannot be expected to save themselves if they accidentally fall into the water. Many programs make claims that drownproofing indeed can be accomplished, bit it cannot. Be wary of programs that make this claim.