With summer fast approaching, all of us here at Big Blue Swim School Sandy Plains would like to introduce ourselves to the Cobb County Community with a few friendly reminders when it comes to your family’s water safety this season. Together, with our friends from Swim Angelfish® and guidance from the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA), we can make our trips to the water S.A.F.E.R. for everyone!
S- Swim with a buddy and designate a Water Watcher
Swimming is an activity best enjoyed with friends! Supervision is one of the 5 Layers of Protection recommended by the NDPA when taking your family in and around water. Make sure you stress to children the importance of never swimming alone or without the permission of a trusted adult, aka a Water Watcher. Water Watchers should be prepared to give all swimmers their full attention while in and around bodies of water. This is especially important in order to properly intervene for potentially dangerous behaviors like repeated submersion, breath holding, and excessive drinking of swimming water. Having a routine and rules set in place before visiting an aquatic area can greatly help swimmers of all abilities make a safe transition to and from water play.
A-Acquire Training
Big Blue highly encourages all potential Water Watchers to acquire CPR and basic First Aid training. The NDPA recommends at least one Water Watcher present for water play should hold a valid CPR and rescue breathing certification in order to properly add a layer of preparedness. For Water Watchers with children of all abilities, including those with physical, cognitive and sensory needs, we highly recommend our friends at Swim Angelfish® who not only have a fantastic blog about adaptive water play, but also offer free seminars and classes. You can find out more about Swim Angelfish® resources here: https://swimangelfish.com/shop-category/adaptive-resources-mini-course/
F- Find and Eliminate Water Hazards
Make sure you have checked in and around areas of water before allowing children to swim. This can include surveying for slippery areas, identifying blind spots or areas out of view, checking if the depth is appropriate for your swimmer’s abilities, and monitoring for adverse weather events. If a pool or waterfront is busy, make sure your swimmer or swimmers wear brightly colored and/or easily identifiable swimwear. For families that have their own pools or waterfront homes, make sure that there are physical barriers or alarms that can prevent swimmers from entering an aquatic area without your knowledge. This can look like fences, lockable gates, and door alarms. After water play, ensure all toys/equipment has been put away and does not block walkways or decks. Explain to swimmers that if something falls in the water, they should always ask a Water Watcher for help rather than try to get it themselves from the side of the pool.
E- Enroll in Swim Lessons!
It is never too early or too late to enroll in swim lessons! At Big Blue Swim School, our mission is to show every child they can do anything by unlocking their full potential in the water. Swimming is not only a fun and engaging activity, but it is also a crucial life skill that promotes safety and personal growth. It is imperative to make water activities a fun part of life while prioritizing safety and inclusion for all. In addition to traditional group lessons, Big Blue Swim School Sandy Plains will also be offering specialized, adaptive swim lessons. Our adaptive lessons will emphasize critical swimming skills for children of all abilities, including those who may have physical, cognitive and sensory needs, to develop a strong understanding of water safety principles. Specially trained Big Blue instructors at our school will be certified in the Swim Whisperers® method, which has been developed by Swim Angelfish®, to create nurturing and adaptable learning environments for children of all abilities.
R- Respond Fast and Call 911 for Emergencies
Always make sure you have a charged phone when visiting bodies of water in case 911 needs to be contacted. Inform others of where you plan to swim and what time you intend to be back. Make sure your swimmers know how and when to call 911 in cases of emergency. Never continue swimming in cases of adverse weather and have a plan on where to safely shelter during storms.
As you embark on your water safety and swimming journey with your swimmer or swimmers this summer, remember that every little stroke forward is a wonderful achievement! Celebrate the joy of learning and embrace the safety measures that let your child explore this vibrant part of their world with assurance and delight.
We are so excited to be joining the Cobb County Community and we relish the opportunity to make our new home a S.A.F.E.R. place for all swimmers! We’re here to support you every stroke of the way, ensuring that every swimmer can enjoy the water safely and happily. It is our hope that, whether at a Big Blue Swim School or through another swim program, you jump into a future filled with laughter, splashes, and endless possibilities!
If you would like to learn more about our program and/or our adaptive swim lessons at Big Blue Swim School, visit https://bigblueswimschool.com/locations/georgia/sandy-plains
