Why Is Water Safety Important?

At Baby Otter Swim School, we understand that water safety is not just a priority, but a critical necessity. With the alarming statistics surrounding drowning incidents, it’s imperative to act swiftly and educate our young swimmers on the importance of water safety. Our mission is clear: to make Florida a no-drowning state.

The Immediate Danger: It Only Takes a Moment

A child or weak swimmer can drown in the blink of an eye. The time it takes to reply to a text, check a fishing line, or apply sunscreen is all it takes for a tragedy to occur. Drownings happen daily in a variety of settings – home pools, hot tubs, beaches, oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, bathtubs, and even buckets. This sobering reality underscores the need for immediate and effective water safety education.

The Baby Otter Difference: Rapid and Effective Learning

At Baby Otter Swim School, we’re not patient when it comes to water safety. We aim to equip our little swimmers with essential skills as quickly as possible to prevent drownings. Our expert teachers are not just proficient in swimming techniques, but also excel in encouraging and building the confidence of our swimmers.

why is water safety important | Baby Otter Swim School

The Turn, Kick, Reach® Program

Our state-certified Turn, Kick, Reach® program has been effectively teaching children for over forty years. This five-day intensive course is designed to transform non-swimmers into confident swimmers who can handle themselves in the water without fear.

Immediate Skill Building: We focus on essential survival skills from day one, such as putting their head underwater without fear, rather than spending endless sessions on preliminary skills like blowing bubbles or floating.
Encouragement and Confidence: Our instructors, some of who are also classroom teachers, understand how to create a supportive learning environment that boosts confidence and ensures success.

The Role of Instructors: Beyond Swimming Lessons

Our teachers are more than just swimming instructors; they are dedicated educators who bring their skills to the pool. They teach with care, understanding, and a commitment to setting each child up for success. This holistic approach ensures that children not only learn to swim but do so with a sense of confidence and preparedness.

Building Water Confidence

Confidence in the water is crucial for young swimmers. Our instructors work tirelessly to ensure that each child feels secure and capable in the water. This confidence is key to preventing panic and ensuring safety in real-life water scenarios.

Florida’s Alarming Statistics: A Call to Action

Drowning is the leading cause of injury death among children ages 1–4 in Florida. The state’s drowning death rate for this age group is the highest in the nation. These statistics are a stark reminder of why water safety education is so vital.

At Baby Otter Swim School, our passion and commitment to saving children from drowning is unwavering. Our Turn, Kick, Reach® program is a testament to our dedication, having successfully taught children for over four decades. We will continue this mission until there are no more drownings.

The statistics speak for themselves. Understanding why is water safety important, cannot be overstated. At Baby Otter Swim School, we are dedicated to making water safety a reality for every child. By equipping young swimmers with the skills they need to stay safe, we can prevent tragedies and ensure that children enjoy the water confidently and safely.

A Safer Future

Our mission is clear: to eradicate drownings in Florida and beyond. Through our proven methods and dedicated instructors, we are making strides toward a safer future for all children. Join us in our commitment to water safety and ensure your child is prepared for any water situation.

Water safety is a shared responsibility. With the right education and skills, we can protect our children from the dangers of drowning. At Baby Otter Swim School, we are here to provide that education and ensure every child learns to swim confidently and safely. Contact us today to start your child’s journey towards water safety and join us in making Florida a no-drowning state.

Florida Department of Health. (n.d.). Drowning prevention. Retrieved June 19, 2024, from https://www.floridahealth.gov/programs-and-services/prevention/drowning-prevention/index.html#:~:text=From%202019%20to%202021%20combined,(6.64%20per%20100%2C000%20population).