RENO, Nev. (KOLO) – Drowning is the number one cause of death for children ages 1 to 4. With summer upon us and locals heading out to Truckee and pools, swimming lessons for little ones are essential to their survival.
Holly Sprague, owner and instructor at Bridgewater Swim Academy, says private swim lessons are the best way to get kids proficiency in swimming and self-rescue tactics. [privateswimlessonsisthebestwaytogetthemproficientinswimmingandself-rescuetactics
Sprague has some other advice for young people:
These include:
- Able to swim to the edge of the pool and surface on their own
- Float on your back to keep breathing
- Be comfortable swimming freestyle or backstroke in water
- You can protect yourself if you fall into a swimming pool fully clothed.
“Do not run around on the pool deck,” Sprague says. “Always be mindful of other children in the pool. Do not hang on to friends who are playing in the water. Make sure an adult keeps an eye on the situation at all times and is ready to intervene.”
Sprague also said that underwater arm rings can be extremely dangerous when parents use them because they prevent children from learning to float in the water.
“Don't put swim arm rests on kids,” Sprague says. “Use a certified life jacket. I've seen too many kids jump in the pool thinking they have swim arm rests on and then just sink to the bottom.”
“We're thrilled to be working with Silver Bear Swimming School,” said Cat Fossum, instructor and site manager for Silver Bear Swimming School.
“Make sure an adult is always monitoring the situation and ready to intervene at any time.”
It's also important to remember that while pool water is generally warm, the water in the Truckee River and Lake Tahoe can be cold, which could send people into shock and make them unable to swim, she said.
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