Earlier this summer, my adult daughter, who is a lifeguard, invited her younger siblings and me to join her for a day at the pool where she works (on her day off).
In addition to the two adults, this meant a 13-year-old, an 11-year-old, a 9-year-old, and a 5-year-old. I spent most of the day counting heads, checking in with each of the bigger kids, and making an effort never to be more than arm’s length from the littlest, unless she was with her sister.
However, supervision at public pools and beaches has been raising controversy, especially as one pool has set new limits for patrons, and not all parents are happy.
Supervision Is A Serious Concern Around Water
Hundreds of children die from drowning every year. Statistics vary on how many of these could have been prevented with closer supervision.
Louisiana’s Department of Health, for instance, says that 52% of child drownings involve a lack of supervision. At the same time, UT Health Houston reports that 16% of fatal child drownings seen by one trauma center happened under adult supervision, and the Swim On Foundation shares that in their data, about half of child victims are within 25 feet of a parent. Meanwhile, they find that 70% of child drownings happened when it wasn’t ‘swim time’ and that half the kids were last seen inside their homes before somehow managing to access a pool.
Statistics that narrow this down to public pools, with or without a lifeguard present, are even harder to pinpoint, but one thing is clear overall: while we may not be able to prevent every incident, closer adult supervision in and around pools can prevent many more future drownings.
Two Children Per Adult Is The Standard Here
When one of San Antonio’s public pools reopened this summer after storms, the Parks & Rec dropped a social media post reminding visitors of a few basic rules: no glass containers, proper swim attire is required, and there must be one adult for every two children age nine and under.
Some parents are pretty annoyed. One commenter referred to this as an “anti-family rule,” stating that she has seven children and is pregnant, yet can manage them all just fine at the pool by herself. Another complained that this makes it hard for single moms. Another commenter advised parents with more than two 9-and-under children per adult to go anyway and then file a lawsuit for discrimination if the rule is enforced.
However, the San Antonio Express News reports that the parent-to-child ratio rule isn’t new and applies to all city pools. Additionally, the city has and enforces a rule that all children aged ten and under must be supervised by an adult. Younger kids who can’t swim are also expected to stay within arm’s length of an adult.
What has changed this year is that a swim test is available; kids who pass receive an armband, allowing lifeguards to quickly identify them as being outside the rule.
Lifeguards Are Not Babysitters
One commenter complained, “Stupid rules[. H]ire more lifeguards.”
Lifeguard-to-swimmer ratios can vary by local and state laws, but in general, they’re around 1:25. A patron can go from fine to drowning in under a minute, so lifeguards are constantly scanning their pools to keep swimmers safe. When kids are unsupervised, they often engage in behaviors such as running on the pool deck, pretending to drown, or fighting in the water, which draws more attention from the lifeguards and increases the risk for everyone.
Unfortunately, this misunderstanding of lifeguard duties (and lifeguards’ frustration with it) has continued over the decades. One lifeguard expressed this in an Op-Ed in the Tampa Bay Times back in 1991, saying:
“[The lifeguard] is there in case you really need him. He is unable to keep an eye on a dozen or so children left for hours in his care. He is paid to watch the pool for drowning victims.”
It’s understandable that parents want to enjoy themselves at the pool, too, and that everyone wants to make the most of their summer vacation. However, if we are putting kids and water together, we’re on duty, not on break, no matter what.
The Steps To Prevent & Reduce Drowning Incidents
In many cases, a drowning incident happens with a child who was under some degree of adult supervision, but that supervision lapsed, often for less than five minutes. By maintaining constant supervision, we can reduce the number of drowning incidents, but there are other measures to take as well.
Teaching your child to swim significantly increases water safety. It doesn’t mean that you no longer need to supervise, but it does mean a lowered risk.
You should also teach your child to know their limits, and set boundaries that match their capabilities. A child old enough to be out of arm’s reach in the pool should know whether he’s allowed on the diving board or in the deep end, and these limits should reflect where he is safe.
Breaks are also important. Even a capable swimmer can end up in distress when they’re overtired or dehydrated. You should already be requiring your child to leave the water to reapply sunscreen regularly. While they’re out, check in and see whether they need to have a drink or take a break.
Teach your kids the safety rules (including no running at the pool and no diving into shallow areas) and never consider a floatie (even if it’s wearable) to be a substitute for supervision.
Your summer will be more fun when it’s safe!