Keeping your head above water

By Annabel McCully
With the arrival of the winter season, teaching children to swim would not be at the forefront of people’s minds but swim safety is a major concern in Waverley. 

We are required by law to put up fences around pools in our homes but we cannot fence the ocean.  And there are other dangers for children around the home. Infant drowning mainly occurs in a small amount of water, most commonly the bath. 

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, children aged 1-14 years often drown in a swimming pool or body of natural water. Water familiarisation classes for babies as young as six months are essential to ensure the safety of your child.

Between 1999 and 2003 accidental drowning accounted for 19 per cent of all child deaths. Statistics show that those under 5 years are most vulnerable to drowning with 80 per cent of drowning deaths in this age group; at this age children are still developing motor skills and are too young to judge hazards. 

Sink or Swim in North Bondi offers swimming lessons for children of all ages.
Teacher Karen Tearney says learning to swim is a safety issue as children are surrounded by water all the time.
‘Children can learn from 4-6 months,’ she said. ‘They need to understand the rules of the pool ‘ that they don’t go in unless an adult is present and they need to know to reach for the side.  Swimming also helps to improve motor skills and co-ordination, and improves self esteem and self confidence.’

The ability to swim makes water play fun and safe. Supervising your children and teaching them to pay attention to the red and yellow flags at the beach is equally important.  It is also recommended that children be taught resuscitation techniques and encouraged to always swim with a friend.