YMCA swim instructor talking to parent and child
Water Safety and Swimming
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From oceans to lakes to streams to swimming pools, water is everywhere: 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered in it! And while water can be an irresistible place for kids to explore, play and enjoy splashy fun, it can be risky for those who haven’t yet developed their water smarts. 

America's most trusted swim instructor, the YMCA helps kids (and adults) of all ages, abilities and backgrounds develop skills they need to become strong, confident swimmers.

Phones Down Eyes Up text on a phone with an illustrated water background

Phones Down, Eyes Up™

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Responding to a text, answering an email, listening to a podcast, or making a grocery list—these tasks may seem quick and harmless, but those few seconds of distraction can add up. When at the pool, beach, or lakeside, remember: Your eyes can save lives. Learn more about the Y's new water safety campaign and take the Phones Down, Eyes Up Pledge to help keep kids safe around water--this summer and all year long.  

Safety Around Water Program

Safety Around Water consists of eight lessons designed to teach kids water safety skills that help reduce the risk of drowning and build their skills and confidence in and around water. A typical session includes:

  • Exercises to help kids adjust to being in the water
  • Instruction in two skill sets kids can use if they unexpectedly find themselves in the water: Jump, Push, Turn, Grab and Swim, Float Swim.
  • Safety topics like what to do if you see someone in the water who needs help
  • Fun activities that reinforce skills

Swim Lessons

The Y introduced the country to group swim lessons over 110 years ago in 1909. Now, as one of the largest community-based organizations in the country, we teach more than a million children, especially those most at-risk of drowning, invaluable water safety and swimming skills each year.

There are three general categories of Y Swim Lessons:

  • Swim Starters helps children ages six months to three years develop swim readiness skills through fun experiences that build confidence. In addition, parents learn how to supervise children in the water, prevent accidents and plan for emergencies.
  • Swim Basics enables students of all ages to gain basic water safety and swimming skills. Swimmers become comfortable and confident in the water through practicing safe water habits, engaging in underwater exploration and learning how to swim to safety if they fall into a body of water.
  • Swim Strokes introduces and refines stroke technique in older swimmers (school-age, teens and adults). Having mastered the fundamentals, students learn additional water safety skills and build stroke technique, developing skills that can help prevent chronic disease, increase overall well-being and foster a lifetime of physical activity.

Find a Safety Around Water Program or Swim Lessons Near You

Looking for swim lessons or Safety Around Water programming in your community? Find your local Y and learn more about the Safety Around Water programs and swim lessons near you.

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Did You Know?

Parents and guardians have a critical role to play in teaching their kids water safety skills – but they don’t have to do it alone! Each year, the Y teaches more than one million kids life-saving swimming and safety around water skills.

  • 9 in 10 U.S. parents see swimming as a key life skill for children, on par with first aid skills or being able to prepare a simple meal.

  • 24% of U.S. parents have low confidence with water activities or bodies of water.

  • 1 in 2 U.S. parents believe water safety classes are expensive in comparison to the other groups surveyed.

  • 3 in 10 U.S. parents state that water safety isn’t a priority due to affordability concerns.