Frequently Asked Questions

Water Consumption

Swallowing water is a normal part of learning to float and self-rescue. I watch children’s water consumption carefully and will give them a break and help them empty their tummies when needed. It can be alarming to watch them throw up so much water, but it is normal. Better out than in! Whether your child throws up in lessons or not, expect them to have very full wet diapers or have to urinate more frequently for the rest of the day. I have been doing this for 5 years and have never had a scare with water consumption, but of course, if you are concerned, take them to the pediatrician.

Swim diapers

Please double diaper your kids that are not potty trained—with a disposable diaper underneath a reusable cloth swim diaper. This helps ensure that if your child does poop in the pool, it will stay in the diapers. Make sure you bring extras just in case this happens! 

Puddle Jumpers vs Life Vests

While your child will not wear any floatation device at lessons, outside of lessons there may be a need for one. 

Say NO to Puddle Jumpers, water wings, or any floaty that keeps them completely upright. Why?

• They give children a false sense of security. When it’s taken off, they may not realize that they are no longer safe to be in the water and may get back in without it.

• They can make children forget to float on their back, and instead assume that they will float in the standing position (AKA the “drowning position”).

• I realize that puddle jumpers are very popular and easily accessible. However, everyone in this industry will tell you not to use them.

If your child needs a floatation device—whether they are in a lake, the ocean, or a pool—use a life vest. Always remember: VEST is BEST! Before you put the vest on your child, have them jump/dive/fall into the water and float at least once. Do this again after you take it off to leave. Make practicing floating the first and last thing they do.

Goggles

In the beginning, I don't have children wear goggles. It is important that they learn to be okay with water in their eyes. In a real survival situation, they won't have goggles. Having too much of an attachment to goggles can be dangerous, because in a real situation they may panic about their eyes and not remember the self-rescue skills they know. Once they start learning how to swim, they can have goggles, but I will still make them do it without goggles sometimes to make sure they don't develop a dependency on them.