Self-rescue™ swimming lessons:
 
Sometimes even the best precautions can end in tragedy. The last and most important line of defense against childhood drowning is teaching our infants and young children how to survival swim. If your child does find himself alone in the pool or body of water, his survival swimming skills could save his life.
 

Keep these guidelines in mind when choosing a swimming program:
 

• Question everything about the program, the Instructor’s qualifications 
and what specific skills will be learned.
  
• Be sure your child will learn how to swim with head in the water, turn on his back to float, rest and breathe and then flip back over to a swim. The sequencing of skills is key to get your child to safety.
  
• Many programs are designed to be a water-orientation class, including playing games.
  
• Make sure all lessons are one-on-one. NEVER enroll in a program where the instructor must divide time in the water between several unskilled students.
  
• Make sure students are attending lessons at least five days per week.
  
• Make sure lessons will continue until your child is fully skilled, not just a designated two-week or six-week period.
  
• Be sure your instructor can thoroughly explain hyponatremia (water 
intoxication) to you. Ask what precautions are taken before and during the lesson to avoid this potentially dangerous situation.
  
• Do not allow your child to be worked with for longer than 10 minutes.
  
• Do not enroll in any swimming program before your child is 6 months old and never enroll in a program that uses flotation devices.
  
• Finally, never believe that ANYONE is ever drown-proofed by any lessons or skill level. No one is ever drown-proofed and constant supervision in and around the water is the only sure way to prevent drowning.