What type of qualifications do the instructors have?
Our instructors have a wide range of qualifications from swimming instructors to yoga teachers, child specialists, pro athletes, the list goes on! However our Self Rescue training is extremely rigorous with over 100 hours of initial practical training alone.
My child has experienced a traumatic experience concerning water. Should I enroll my child for a course?
Trauma is an unresolved issue of an experience, therefore if a child has had a traumatic experience in the water the best thing you can do is to help them through the trauma by bringing them to the water. We will help guide you and your child in a specialised unique way. It’s important that you as a parent are involved in this process as trauma can often be transferred from parent to child.
My baby does not like being in the water. Should I apply for the course?
If your child does not like the water, we can help guide them through their fears and it’s all the more important to bring them to the water to overcome this.
My child doesn’t stop crying when in water. Should I enroll them for the course?
If your child doesn’t stop crying in the water we will look at the reason why, with a holistic approach. Each child is totally different. This is why we offer one on one sessions so that we can work with the child’s individual needs and not in a group dynamic. Avoidance of the water may just prolong the upset. Enrolling your child in one of our courses even when they are crying means we can look at the root cause of their upset and guide them through it, so they feel safe and confident in the water.
Can this course cause traumas / fear for water?
The simple answer is no. The course can however be challenging, your child is learning a highly specialised skill. However not arming your child with these skills and then having an accident in the water could be a very traumatic experience. We work with many families who’s children have had near drowning experiences and sadly some that fatally drowned. Parents come to us to help their children and indeed themselves overcome these experiences, by facing their fears working through them and rising up to let go of fears.
Trauma resides in the mind and body if a bad experience is unresolved. Our courses are the building blocks of a lifetime of swimming confidence. We have seen babies from 9 months old who have done our Self Rescue courses who are now 6 years old, and extremely happy confident swimmers. We have a holistic approach and pride ourselves on the unique relationships we form with each child. It’s a powerful and beautiful journey for all involved.
Does my child swallow water during the course?
Your child will learn breath control, meaning they will learn how to control their breath under the water by blowing gently out and above the water breathing in a relaxed intake of air. Like anything new, practise makes perfect!! Your child may not have complete control of their breath at the beginning of the course, however we ensure that if they do swallow any water we take time to help them process it and then guide them on how to avoid swallowing water. Breath control is one of our key components of our Self Rescue courses and indeed swimming.
What is secondary drowning, and should I be afraid this could happen?
What is secondary drowning? The flap in the back of the throat, known as the epiglottis, opens and closes to let food into the esophagus and air into the trachea. Sometimes things slip into the trachea and the coughing & sputtering is our bodies way of kicking It back up so it doesn’t hit the lungs. Normally our epiglottis works to keep food, water and other solids from entering the trachea, which is part of our respiratory system, not our gastrointestinal system. If someone is conscious, it usually prevents this, or in certain cases, ( it went down the wrong way) it causes a cough reflex to dislodge the bead of water. If the child becomes unconscious for any reason then the epiglottis will not work and water can enter the trachea and even the lung. This is known as aspiration. The trauma from aspiration can cause swelling in the tissue of the lungs and airway. A child experiencing aspiration should be seen by a physician. If water enters the lungs and the child isn’t treated, then technically they can succumb even a day or two later.
The first thing we teach our students is breath control in the water and not to ‘’drink ‘’ the water. Occasionally a child swallows some water and this may feel a little uncomfortable of course, but the water goes into the stomach, not the lungs, and is therefore no risk for secondary drowning.
Babies may have wetter nappies in the 2-4 hours after the lessons, and occasionally a child may spit up the water they have swallowed. This is also harmless. In all cases of secondary drowning, at some point, no one was watching or paying attention to the child. In our lessons we NEVER take our eyes off the child.
I hope that this explanation is helpful to parents who have concerns about secondary drowning. Our focus for each lesson is the safety of our students. And the reason we exist is to prevent the tragedy of childhood drowning.
My child has finished the course, can I leave them unattended in/near water?
Once your child has finished the course you must never leave them alone in or near the water. Although your child will have all the skills to rescue themselves if an accident were to occur, all children must have adult supervision in or near water. However, you can feel more relaxed knowing your child has learnt these lifesaving skills. Accidents do happen and we have countless accounts of children who have finished our courses and had an unexpected accidents and saved themselves. We know these skills have saved many lives already and we want to continue on our mission to teach as many children as we can.
My child has completed the course. How do we move on from here?
If your child has completed the course please speak to your instructor. We have ongoing courses and classes to suit all levels. The next course after Self Rescue is Swim-Float-Swim. For children 3 years old and above we offer our Fast Track Swimming course which teaches the foundations of all the strokes, diving and much more!
Build confidence for both you and your child.
Experience real peace of mind, relieve and truly enjoy your time while your children. You will never have to be stressed again close to the water, near swimming pools or at the sea.