login
NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink...
-
No new posts
 2016-08-08 9:56 AM |
Coach  9167     Stairway to Seven |  Subject: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink...this was a 7 minute segment broadcast live this morning on the NPR show " The Takeaway" with Terry Laughlin. "As U.S. swimmers prove to be Olympic standouts this week, more than half of Americans can't pass the simple swim test from the Red Cross. (Aug 8, 2016)" http://www.wnyc.org/story/us-swimmers-top-podium-most-americans-str... |
| 2016-08-08 10:09 AM in reply to: #5194397 |
| New user 175 | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... Agreed |
| 2016-08-08 12:41 PM in reply to: goforit |
Veteran 1900  Southampton, Ontario | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... I did a bit of googling and here is what I found regarding the "standard swim test" The Red Cross defines these critical water safety skills as “water competency,” — jump into water that’s over your head, being able to tread water for one minute, swim 25 yards, swim in a full circle and be able to find an exit, and being able to haul yourself out of a pool without a ladder. http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2014/05/23/red-cross-more-than-half-of-... I grew up with swimming lessons and am very thankful for it, my kids have also gone through a lot of lessons and are working on courses that will lead to life-guarding. |
| 2016-08-08 11:54 PM in reply to: #5194399 |
| 928 | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... I personally think that swimming lessons should be an essential part of education. We had swim lessons in 4th grade in school but I learned from when I was a child. And when I was in college we had to pass a swim test in order to graduate. |
| 2016-08-09 6:15 AM in reply to: #5194496 |
Expert 1074 Tyrone, Georgia | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... Agree. I continue to be amazed at how many of my kid's friends come to our house to swim that can not swim. Many of these children have pools at their own homes. I would be terrified having a pool at home with a child that could not at least get themselves to the wall or ladder of the pool if something unexpected occurred. |
| 2016-08-09 7:16 AM in reply to: dandr614 |
 Bronze member | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... Originally posted by dandr614 Agree. I continue to be amazed at how many of my kid's friends come to our house to swim that can not swim. Many of these children have pools at their own homes. I would be terrified having a pool at home with a child that could not at least get themselves to the wall or ladder of the pool if something unexpected occurred. Same here. I actually started teaching swim lessons in my home for the neighborhood families because of this exact problem. I assumed the other kids could swim like mine. We had 6 year olds coming over who were still in floaties, hanging on the wall and afraid of the deep end. It was scary to me so the next year I offered lessons for those who wanted it because at least that way I know they have learned some basic safety skills when they come to my house. I took American Red Cross swim instructor training years ago so those are the guidelines I am using in my lessons. At least the kids in this neighborhood will be able to pass if the parents keep bringing them. I notice there is a difference in the definition of what it means to people to be able to swim. Some people - once the kids learn to float, get across the pool, basic safety - that is it. They can "swim" and they don't want to pay for anymore lessons. |
| 2016-08-09 7:37 AM in reply to: trigal38 |
Expert 1074 Tyrone, Georgia | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... Originally posted by trigal38 Originally posted by dandr614 Agree. I continue to be amazed at how many of my kid's friends come to our house to swim that can not swim. Many of these children have pools at their own homes. I would be terrified having a pool at home with a child that could not at least get themselves to the wall or ladder of the pool if something unexpected occurred. Same here. I actually started teaching swim lessons in my home for the neighborhood families because of this exact problem. I assumed the other kids could swim like mine. We had 6 year olds coming over who were still in floaties, hanging on the wall and afraid of the deep end. It was scary to me so the next year I offered lessons for those who wanted it because at least that way I know they have learned some basic safety skills when they come to my house. I took American Red Cross swim instructor training years ago so those are the guidelines I am using in my lessons. At least the kids in this neighborhood will be able to pass if the parents keep bringing them. I notice there is a difference in the definition of what it means to people to be able to swim. Some people - once the kids learn to float, get across the pool, basic safety - that is it. They can "swim" and they don't want to pay for anymore lessons. I applaud you for taking the time and teaching them. I should take some formalized training to do the same. It is just really frightening to think that such an elementary life saving skill is not a priority for some. |
| 2016-08-09 9:57 AM in reply to: dandr614 |
Master 4118 Toronto Bronze member | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... I am an adult onset swimmer. I hated not knowing and being afraid of the water. Seeing triathlon was a good way to finally suck it up and learn but it wasn't easy. I have a 3-year old daughter and I already have her taking lessons. I am so happy to see her comfortable in the water and I am going to keep putting her in lessons until, well, until she's a lifeguard if she wants but at least until she can do the deep water skills and swim. As others have said, i do feel it is a life skill and i am not leaving it for her - anyway, i mostly want it so that she won't even really remember a time she couldn't swim - it will be something she's basically always known.
|
| 2016-08-09 12:03 PM in reply to: dandr614 |
| Bronze member | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... Originally posted by dandr614 Originally posted by trigal38 I applaud you for taking the time and teaching them. I should take some formalized training to do the same. It is just really frightening to think that such an elementary life saving skill is not a priority for some. Originally posted by dandr614 Agree. I continue to be amazed at how many of my kid's friends come to our house to swim that can not swim. Many of these children have pools at their own homes. I would be terrified having a pool at home with a child that could not at least get themselves to the wall or ladder of the pool if something unexpected occurred. Same here. I actually started teaching swim lessons in my home for the neighborhood families because of this exact problem. I assumed the other kids could swim like mine. We had 6 year olds coming over who were still in floaties, hanging on the wall and afraid of the deep end. It was scary to me so the next year I offered lessons for those who wanted it because at least that way I know they have learned some basic safety skills when they come to my house. I took American Red Cross swim instructor training years ago so those are the guidelines I am using in my lessons. At least the kids in this neighborhood will be able to pass if the parents keep bringing them. I notice there is a difference in the definition of what it means to people to be able to swim. Some people - once the kids learn to float, get across the pool, basic safety - that is it. They can "swim" and they don't want to pay for anymore lessons. It just sort of fell into place and made sense. I had taken the training years before we ever had a pool, I'm a certified teacher in Early Childhood Ed. so I understand how to work with the little ones plus I have my summers off. No way I would want to teach swimming lessons at home after working all day long. |
| 2016-08-09 1:00 PM in reply to: juniperjen |
Pro 6582 Melbourne FL Gold member | Subject: RE: NPR's "The Takeaway": Most Americans Sink... When we moved to FL our son was just born. The house we bought didn't have a pool but we knew we were going to add one. When my son was 2 we started the water safety swimming lessons at the Y and he loved it. At 4 he was on the "little fish" swim team. Our daughter is just under 2 years younger, we started her when she was two and she also liked doing what here brother was doing and wanted to be on the "little fish" team. We put our pool in when they were 6 & 4 and they were so confident swimming, it was great that we went the route we did. They even taught some friend how to swim and dive, etc. Fast forward to today and they are on the competitive national track Y team and do swim workouts every day that I can only dream about. |
|
|
|
| |||
| |||
| |||
| |||
|
| ||||
|
| |||
|
| |||
|
|
View profile
Add to friends
Go to training log
Go to race log
Send a message
View album
CONNECT WITH FACEBOOK