Toddler swim safety means that swimming lessons aren’t enough. Find out what you can do to prepare yourself, and your family, for another season of swimming.

Yep. You read that correctly.

SWIMMING LESSONS ARE NOT ENOUGH TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD.

Owning a puddle jumper is not going to save your child. I know, because my kid had one. And actually? I’m the one who took it off of her that day.

And guess what? She was nearly able to take it off all by herself by wiggling her arms out and pulling it down her legs. Yes, it was the recommended size. Yes, it fit her correctly. Yes, I kept it tight enough.

Arm floaties CERTAINLY aren’t going to protect your little one.

YOU CANNOT RELY ON WATER-RELATED TOYS TO KEEP YOUR CHILD SAFE IN THE WATER.

One of the BEST things that will keep your child safe? YOU.

Not a pool noodle and especially not arm floaties or a cute ring with Ariel on it. THOSE ARE TOYS.

Please don’t get me wrong, however. Knowing how to swim is extremely important and I’m a big advocate for swimming lessons. Your child HAS to learn to swim. (and so do you, for that matter)

You need to understand this, though: CPR is just as important as swimming lessons.

In a previous post, I shared with you how I realized that day that drowning accidents can happen to anyone.

We learned that first-hand back in August of 2018. So, if drowning can happen to anyone, EVEN THE BEST PARENTS, why wouldn’t you want to know how to save your child if an accident occurs?

Think about this: Let’s say you’re looking for a babysitter. What are some qualifications that you’ll keep in mind? I’m guessing something like…clean driving record, flawless background check, experience with little ones, and CPR certified.

Is that correct?

So, basically, you’re wanting to be confident that when your child is left in the care of this sitter, you want to make sure that he/she is safe, right? You REQUIRE your sitter to be trained in CPR.

And why aren’t you?

I’ll tell you why. Because we all have the mentality of “It won’t happen to me, but it could happen to someone else”.

It won’t happen to ME because I am THE BEST PARENT, but it could happen to the babysitter on her watch.

Folks. Let me remind you of this. IT HAPPENED TO ME AND I AM THE BEST PARENT.

I will be the first to admit that I thought drowning couldn’t happen to my family. Not on my watch.

There’s no reason for ME to be trained in CPR. I’ll do that later. When I have more time in my schedule.

The babysitter though? The daycare provider? Yeah, it may happen to THEM so let’s make sure THAT PERSON is up to date on CPR training.

So you see? Swimming lessons alone are not going to be enough to save your little one.

BUT YOU ARE.

YOU are enough to save your child in case a drowning accident happens.

On that day in August, when I knew our lives would be over? I did not have the ability to save my own toddler.

I COULD NOT SAVE MY CHILD BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT ONLY HAPPENED TO OTHER PEOPLE.

I didn’t have *time* to take a CPR course.

But what I really didn’t have time for? My toddler drowning.

I’m begging you, enroll your child (and yourself!) in swimming lessons, but also GET TRAINED IN CPR because swimming lessons simply aren’t enough. It’s much easier to take a 2 day course than it is to lose a child.

YOU and the choices you make (being in the water with your child, being certified in CPR, enrolling your child in swimming lessons, NOT relying on pool TOYS to do the work for you) are the best option for keeping your child safe in the water.