So I was a swim instructor for kids for a couple years. JESUS CHRIST IF YOUR KID DOESNT SWIM WELL STAY IN THE WATER WITH THEM. I say this because if they couldn’t stand up in the water, they started drowning regularly. Like, as a lifeguard I only saved 2 people, both unsupervised children, and no one around them acted to do anything. This is because drowning is more often than not really subtle. It’s not flailing and screaming, if they’re screaming they have air, it’s usually just some kid getting a little too deep and bobbing up and down to breath until they can’t do that anymore, and then they just stay underwater. I’ve seen adults not three feet away from a drowning kid not do anything because it looks like they’re just holding their breath.
If there isn’t a lifeguard, or even if there is, PLEASE keep a close eye on your children, keep them where they can stand solidly (feet flat on the ground, otherwise they could accidentally bob out to deeper water) or if they want to try deeper water, keep near a wall, and keep them in sight.
Just to reiterate, drownings happen quickly and often silently. Swimming is a dangerous activity that requires supervision. As long as you keep that in mind, swimming is very good exercise, and a very fun way to cool off for children! Just be respectful and aware of the risks it can pose, and what those risks look like.
