Swimming Into a False Economy

We have a new President! We have a new administration, and all our hope for the future is that we will prosper and grow.....soon! Yet we are no doubt facing very tough times! We hear it every moment of every day, and even if our own lives are just about holding onto a degree of normalcy, the overriding fear is that this may not last. We even feel guilty, as we all know at least one person who is not so lucky. Where do we cut back? On the major things of course! We eat at home more; we vacation at home instead of traveling; we go out for dessert instead of dinner. We actually look at the prices of the things we buy in much more detail, and try to buy only when they are at rock bottom price. We even cut out those coupons that we never would have looked at before! There are many ways to cut corners and save money, but SWIMMING lessons for our children is definitely not one of them. Lessons are an absolute must!!

Every year children die or are devastatingly injured in water accidents. We know of the deaths, they make the headlines, but we are rarely aware of those children who are terribly, irrevocably injured. In Miami/Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties, more children lose their lives to drowning than any other form of accident. The fear is that this year the number will rise dramatically. As parents, we truly believe that we are good caring and constantly vigilant, but it is not only the unloved and uncared for children that have accidents, Accidents happen across the board without regard to race or financial status. They happen to parents who are at home and to parents who work. They happen to parents of multiple children and to an only child, to the rich, poor and all in-between. No one is immune.

Survival/Swimming classes will never be a total substitute for parental vigilance, nor should it be, but they are a vital additional layer of protection if all else fails. Without doubt there must always be vigilance, locked gates, alarms and fences, but if any or all of those things fail, and sadly they do, there must also be the ability for a child to roll onto its back and to be heard in the water! Back floating is a must, as it buys time. Time for the child to breathe, to make noise, to just be alive! With great teaching, this skill is very achievable, as young as a year old.

Swimming lessons must not be cut back! The best may not be the least expensive, but the most value. They must be judged on how well they teach their skills. The very best year round swim instruction will never never be an extravagance! They will provide more than just fun. They will provide more than good health and fitness. They will do more than guard against obesity. They just may provide LIFE!

Cut back by all means, but please, never never on something as important as swimming lessons. It could be far too costly!