Swimming Safety Activities

Swimming is a recreational activity enjoyed by thousands and while it is meant to be fun, it can also be dangerous if swimmers are not properly acclimated with the water. The American Red Cross reports that drowning is the leading cause of accidental deaths among children under the age of 4. Learning swimming safety activities, especially at an early age, can give swimmers the confidence and ability to safely enjoy the water.

  1. WHALE Tales

    • The American Red Cross offers the safety program Water Habits are Learned Early (WHALE) Tales that is geared to elementary school children. The safety program offers water safety tips in a classroom setting. Lessons include posters, activities and a worksheet. In addition, lessons are emphasized with a cartoon whale named Longfellow, who offers basic swim lesson tips. WHALE Tales teach children about water safety rules, safe places to swim and dive and the value of wearing a life jacket. The program is taught by volunteers who have been trained in aquatic safety by the American Red Cross.

    Life Jacket Relay

    • Students can learn the importance of life jackets by having a life jacket relay race. Two teams of equal members line up against each other in a single file. A life jacket is placed by the first person in line. At a designated signal, the first person in line puts on the life jacket properly, takes it off and passes it to the next person in line. The team that finishes first is the winner

    Swim Lessons

    • Swim lessons include safety activities. For instance, the YMCA provides swim lessons taught by certified instructors. Lessons include stroke development, water orientation, water games and water rescue activities. Lessons start for children as early as 6 months old. Classes usually run 30 to 45 minutes in length. Youth swim lessons acclimate youngsters to swimming independently and allow swimmers to gain confidence in deep water.

    Learn to Float

    • A technique called drownproofing was invented by a professor of physical education at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Learning this survival floating method is a swimming safety activity that can help swimmers feel more comfortable in the water. This technique involves floating while resting by letting your arms and legs dangle in the water while the top of your head is slightly above water. Then after resting, you lift your arms while simultaneously performing scissor kicks. While kicking, you raise your head out of the water and exhale. Then before returning back to the floating position, you inhale. The steps are repeated. The technique can be performed with little physical effort and even by those who may not know how to swim.