Whether you swim at the lake or at the health club, swimming offers health benefits to young and old alike. According to the USA Swimming Foundation, almost 60 percent of African American and Hispanic/Latino children do not know how to swim. One way to introduce children to swimming is through an aquatic explorations and safety training class. These classes can instill the importance of water safety in a supervised environment. Swimming is a vital skill whether you boat, fish or go canoeing.
Significance
Learning to swim is a vital skill if you participate in any activities near or in water. A study by the USA Swimming and the USA Swimming Foundation found that nine Americans drown each day in the United States. Children in households where no one swims regularly are eight times more likely to drown, making water safety training essential.
Considerations
Part of the reluctance of children and adults to participate in aquatic exploration classes is fear of the water, whether it is jumping in at the deep end of a pool or fear of drowning. As the USA Swimming Foundation explains, parental influence can play a major role in whether children in the household will learn to swim. The important thing to bear in mind is that you don't have to be swimming to be at risk. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, there were 736 boating accident fatalities in 2009, of which nearly 75 percent drowned.
Components
The first element of an aquatic exploration training session will address any fears of water. The instructor may allow participants to become familiar with being in water on their own terms to help alleviate any anxiety they may feel. The class will have a safe ratio of instructors to students to ensure that no one is unsupervised while learning. The American Red Cross advises that children should wear life jackets or other types of floatation devices until they can swim comfortably.
Safety Training
Children should learn never to swim alone or in unsupervised areas, recommends the American Red Cross. Though swimming is an enjoyable activity, participants should learn early on to respect the safety rules regarding aquatic activities in any situation when they will be in or near water.
Benefits
With proper training, you and your family can enjoy the benefits of swimming. Swimming engages your entire body in activity, making it an effective all-around workout. It is also a good cardio workout which will help you burn calories and increase your aerobic endurance. Aquatic exploration and safety training gives you the confidence to engage in swimming and explore other aquatic activities such as kayaking and water skiing. It will also give you the knowledge to prevent emergency situations on the water.
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