Community Corner

Summer swimming safety in Brewster and Southeast

Read on for tips on using the pool and finding lessons.

Written by Kathleen F. Miller and Lanning Taliaferro

Swimming is the most popular summer activity. 

If you have been postponing signing your child up for swim lessons, or need to find a program that is a better fit for him or her, keep in mind that participating in swim lessons can save a child’s life. 

According to a May 2012 report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, drowning remains the leading cause of injury death among children aged one to four years old. 

Make Water Safety Your Priority 

"To get an idea of just how quiet and undramatic from the surface drowning can be, consider this: It is the number two cause of accidental death in children, age 15 and under (just behind vehicle accidents) – of the approximately 750 children who will drown next year, about 375 of them will do so within 25 yards of a parent or other adult. In ten percent of those drownings, the adult will actually watch them do it, having no idea it is happening (source: CDC)." 

That's from Mario Vittone, expert on boating and water safety, in a blog post titled "Drowning Doesn't Look Like Drowning" that was reposted by Slate, getting him so many views that his blog crashed. 

“When it comes to drowning, prevention and supervision is the best medicine,” Dr. David Markenson, Westchester Medical Center’s Medical Director for Disaster Medicine and Regional Emergency Services and National Chair, Scientific Advisory Council at the American Red Cross, said in 2012.  

Prevention: Swim Lessons for Your Child (and You) 

Mel Roberts, the president of the National Interscholastic Swimming Coaches Association (NISCA), says some of the key things to look for when shopping for swim lessons is a low student-to-teacher ratio. 

“One instructor can effectively teach about six or seven students. For younger children, ages three to five, the ratio needs to be closer to three or four students per instructor,” he said.

Roberts acknowledges that not every kid starts out a strong swimmer and parents need to look for the right program and be patient. “Lessons have to be a pleasant experience for effective learning to take place," he said. "Let them watch a swimming lesson and allow them to see that children in the classes are having fun while they are learning, and the instructor is there to help them and ensure their safety. Having the children meet the instructor before starting the lessons will help them feel more comfortable during the lessons.”

Going swimming and participating in water activities as a family will show them that swimming can be fun and help them relax in the water. Be patient—remember children develop at different rates. They need to realize that there are rewards for being a strong swimmer. Many of the fun activities in and around the water require a certain level of swimming skill in order to participate, such as using the diving boards.”

Local Swim Lesson Resources

There are many swim lesson resources for group classes and one-on-one instruction, including summer camps, swim clubs, municipal and county pools. 

Call the Putnam County Recreation and Parks Department at (845) 808-1994. Also check out these resources:

Wings Over Water School of Swimming in Brewster
Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco
Premier Athletic Club in Cortlandt

Supervision: Tips from the Red Cross

  • Swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards.
  • Always swim with a buddy; do not allow anyone to swim alone. Even at a public pool or a lifeguarded beach, use the buddy system!
  • Ensure that everyone in the family learns to swim well. Enroll in age-appropriate Red Cross water orientation and Learn-to-Swim courses.
  • 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.
  • Have young children or inexperienced swimmers wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets around water, but do not rely on life jackets alone.
  • Establish rules for your family and enforce them without fail. For example, set limits based on each person’s ability, do not let anyone play around drains and suction fittings, and do not allow swimmers to hyperventilate before swimming under water or have breath-holding contests.
Read more tips here.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here