“Sink or swim,” the old adage goes. My family recently had dear friends who discovered their toddler after he had fallen in the pool when unsupervised. Thankfully, he was resuscitated and survived, but it was a scary and uncertain few hours. Swim lessons can sometimes seem like something meant for “little kids,” but the truth is that you’re never too old to learn. Knowing how to swim is an essential skill that can save your life. According to CDC Drowning Prevention, “Every year in the United States there are over 4,000 unintentional drowning deaths.” People of all ages are dying every year—and many of these deaths are preventable if people would learn how to swim. Once you learn how to swim, you can then protect yourself and others. Here are just a few of the reasons why swim lessons are important for every age group.
Infants & Toddlers (6 months–3 years)
The CDC statistics prove that “more children ages 1–4 die from drowning than any other cause of death.” Putting your baby in swim lessons is crucial because it teaches them basic survival skills like floating, turning over, and holding onto the wall in the pool. According to the Red Cross, 87 percent of drowning fatalities happen in home pools or hot tubs for children under 5 years old. Swim lessons also reduce the fear of water early on, enabling them (and you) to feel a sense of comfort and familiarity when they are in the water. A 2009 study conducted by the National Library of Medicine uncovered that “participation in formal swimming lessons [is] associated with an 88 percent reduction in the risk of drowning in the 1- to 4-year-old children.” While you cannot depend on swimming skills to replace parental supervision, making sure your child is secure in the water from an early age could be the difference between life and death.
Young Children (4–12 years)
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children 5 and older learn how to swim. Not only is swimming a good way to be active, it can also train your kids swimming techniques and coordination, building up their confidence and water independence. Swimming is not just a “fun” problem, it can be lethal, as almost all children are expected to interact with water, especially during the summer months. Sadly, the CDC reports that “drowning is the second leading cause of unintentional injury death for children ages 5–14.” Equipping your children with safety skills will give you both peace of mind while they’re playing in the pool. Plus, if you know they can swim well, you’ll also feel more comfortable to send them on pool playdates when you’re not available to watch over them.
Teenagers
Even if your teen has a basic grasp on how to stay afloat, becoming trained in lifeguarding, CPR, or water rescues can open doors to potential summer jobs or hobbies they may really enjoy. They can also use their swim skills to participate in competitive swimming opportunities. The Red Cross states that 5 to 17 years old are more likely to drown in natural water, such as a pond or lake, as compared to a pool, so it is essential they develop swimming skills before or during their teenage years. The water can be a place of immense insecurity, so working to improve skills can even boost your teen’s self-confidence, particularly in social settings.
Adults
Water is not without risk, even for adults. Learn to enjoy the water safely so you can play freely with your kids in the water. There are also physical benefits to using swimming as a form of exercise, including joint health and stress relief from water therapy. (Not to mention swimming laps is an excellent workout!) If you haven’t spent much time in the water before, think of the swim lessons as a form of safety, both for yourself and your family. If something happens to your kid in the water, you want to be prepared to jump in and save the day.
Seniors
It can be scary to get into your older years and not know how to swim. This fear can really inhibit your freedom, leading you to avoid pools, lakes, and other bodies of water. But there are more benefits than just your ease of mind and mental wellbeing; swim lessons can also be a low-impact, full-body workout that relaxes your muscles and is gentle on your joints. Additionally, swimming can improve blood circulation and balance, reducing the risk of falling.
Debunking Swim Myths
You’ve heard them before, maybe even thought them yourself: “I’m too old to learn,” or “Swim lessons aren’t necessary if you don’t have a pool,” or “Flotation devices are just as good as swimming skills.” However, these beliefs aren’t actually true. For example, many infant drownings occur when the child is not supposed to be near water, such as when the child gets into a normally secure pool area. Moreover, while flotation devices may be fun to use when playing in the pool, they do not teach the user how to float. The Harris Poll conducted a survey on behalf of PHTA that revealed 66 percent of parents believe floaties and water wings keep children safe in the water—a scary number considering the devices can pop, deflate, or slip off your child—and then what? Personal flotation devices (PFDs) should never substitute for parental supervision or be used as an excuse that the kid doesn’t need to learn to swim.
Oh, and the saying “Old dogs can’t learn new tricks?” WebMD released a study in February of 2024 exposing that sometimes “older brains do better” at learning. The study listed a few areas where people over age 60 improve as they gain experience, naming verbal abilities, inductive reasoning, visual-spatial skills, and more. Not to mention all of the benefits of swimming as exercise, which improves your thinking ability and memory.
Regardless of your age, swim lessons can be extremely helpful, making them a wise and practical choice for people in all stages of life. In addition to swimming in the “classroom,” you can also learn water safety skills on RedCross’ free Swim app. Check your local YMCAs and community centers for swimming class availability. Swim schools are also popular and an excellent place to take your babies through elementary school-aged kids. Give yourself and your kids the opportunities to enjoy water recreation by cultivating the lifelong skill of learning how to swim now, no matter how old (or young!) you are. Don’t wait for an emergency to make swim lessons a priority. Whether it’s you or your child, it’s never too late to dive in.
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