May is National Water Safety Month, a time when families across Montgomery County begin preparing for a summer of pool days, vacations, and time spent around the water. While one of the goals of swim season is to have fun, it’s important to remember that water safety, in and around the water, should always come first.
At British Swim School, water safety is at the heart of everything we do. Our mission is to help every swimmer, regardless of age or experience, develop the skills and confidence needed to be safe in and around the water. That commitment is why we support and align with organizations such as the National Drowning Prevention Alliance (NDPA) and Stop Drowning Now (SDN), which educate families nationwide on drowning prevention and water competency.
The Reality of a “Silent” Emergency
Unfortunately, misconceptions and unknowns about drowning continue. It is the leading cause of death for children ages 0-4, and with education about all the layers of protection, it is preventable.
Many people imagine drowning as a loud or dramatic event, but in reality, it looks very different. According to drowning prevention experts, drowning is silent and happens quickly, in as little as 20 to 60 seconds. And it can happen in all different depths of water.
When someone is struggling in the water, their body is focused entirely on breathing and survival. Because of this, they are unable to wave their arms or call for help, as the natural response is to panic, which keeps the body vertical. This is why survival swim lessons help prepare swimmers to roll over and float, putting them in a horizontal position and allowing them to breathe and call for help.
Understanding how quickly a situation can escalate is the first step toward prevention.
A Safer Approach: Layers of Protection
Water safety experts recommend thinking about safety as a system rather than relying on a single precaution. The National Drowning Prevention Alliance promotes a framework known as the “Five Layers of Protection” which work together to reduce risk around water environments.
These layers include:
- Barriers & Alarms: Fences, pool covers, and door alarms to prevent unsupervised access.
- Constant Supervision: CA designated “Water Watcher” who stays focused on children in the water.
- Water Competency: Essential safety and swimming skills for every family member.
- Life Jackets: U.S. Coast Guard-approved flotation devices for open water activities.
- Emergency Preparedness: CPR training and a phone nearby in case help is needed.
While barriers and supervision are essential, they can still be affected by everyday distractions. That is why teaching children how to respond in the water themselves is such an important layer of protection.
Survival-First vs. Recreational Swimming
Many may think that learning to swim means learning strokes like freestyle and backstroke. But, before learning more foundational strokes, water safety experts emphasize that ensuring water competency skills must come first.
Water competency includes understanding water safety, building comfort in the water, and developing the skills needed to move, float, and recover safely.
One of the most important techniques swimmers learn is rolling onto their back and floating. This simple skill allows a swimmer to rest, breathe, and stay calm until help arrives. For young children especially, this ability can provide valuable time during those critical moments when supervision is briefly interrupted.
Supporting Families in Montgomery County
As our community expands, access to water safety education becomes even more important. Families in our community now have additional opportunities to prioritize these life-saving skills close to home.
British Swim School of Montgomery County offers lessons at multiple locations, including our newest location at the Collegeville Courtyard by Marriott, as well as our established location at LA Fitness in Pottstown.
Our program focuses on helping swimmers of all ages build comfort, confidence, and safety in the water through supportive instruction and small class sizes.
Water safety starts with awareness, preparation, and practice. By combining supervision, protective barriers, and strong water skills, families can create safer environments where children can enjoy the water with confidence.
With the right foundation, swimming lessons are about more than learning strokes. They are about giving every swimmer the skills they need to feel safe in the water for life.
Enroll Today to secure your swimmer’s spot.
- Website: britishswimschool.com/MontcoPA
- Phone: 610-871-5550
- Email: goswimmontgomerycounty@britishswimschool.com
