Big Blue Swim School shares guidelines to keep children safe on spring break

Families are kicking off the spring season with spring break trips, traveling from across the country to warmer weather. According to AAA Travel, Florida is the top choice for a spring break destination, due to its warm weather, pools, beaches, outdoor adventures, and cruise ports. As parents tackle their packing and planning to-do lists, Big Blue Swim School reminds all caregivers to check off reviewing water and swim safety tips for the whole family.

The unfortunate reality is that drowning is a leading cause of death for children under 14 and traveling to an unfamiliar environment can only amplify unsafe circumstances. The CDC lists the following factors that can make drowning more likely, and these are all instances that are heightened in situations where the destination is new and away from home:

• Inability to swim.
• Missing or ineffective fences around water.
• Lack of close supervision.
• Not wearing life jackets.

Big Blue Swim School offers the following tips to make sure that families remain safe around the water this spring break:

• Remember, lifeguards are not babysitters. Even with this important safety system in place at pools or beaches, adult supervision around water is essential.
• Speaking of safety systems, get to know the pool and beach area where you are staying. Understand what safety measures are in place such as locked gates, fences, and other barriers.
• Designate a Water Watcher, an adult in your group who keeps a close eye on swimmers. We recommend rotating the Water Watcher every 30 minutes to avoid supervision fatigue.
• Wear a life jacket and not just any life jacket. A properly fitting life jacket fits snug, is approved by the U.S. Coast Guard, and stays under a child’s chin when they lift their arms overhead.
• Implement the buddy system. Even if your child is a proficient swimmer or wearing a life jacket, drowning can still happen, so all children should be assigned a buddy to swim with who can raise the alarm if something seems off.
• Prepare by enrolling in formal swim lessons. The CDC notes that formal swim lessons reduce drowning by 88%, making year-round formal swim lessons the best way to help a child be ready around the water.

“Spring break is a wonderful time for families to have fun and relax by the water, but parents and caregivers must be prepared and aware while spending time around any body of water,” says Chris DeJong, Founder and President of Big Blue Swim School, and five-time U.S. National Champion swimmer. “Drowning isn’t always obvious – someone struggling may not yell for help, wave their arms, or thrash around. Constant, careful supervision is critical while children are near the water.”

If you are looking to build your child’s confidence in the water and teach them a lifelong love of swimming, visit www.bigblueswimschool.com.

About Big Blue Swim School

Big Blue Swim School offers an unparalleled swim lesson experience made easier and more effective by professional instructors, proprietary technology and curriculum, and family-friendly facilities. Big Blue creates and celebrates Big Moments in the pool which leads to kids learning they can achieve anything in life. Founded in 2009 by national champion swimmer Chris DeJong, Big Blue now has 30 pools and counting across the U.S. To learn more visit www.BigBlueSwimSchool.com.

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