squidkid.

There are two lessons I teach my students that go against good parental instincts but can make you safer in the water.

Off-Beat Lesson #1: When I teach diving, I warn my kids I will often try and trick them into getting the first and most important rule wrong, which is always dive in the deep end. That I might ask them at any point in a lesson, Hey, let’s go dive in the shallow end! It is the only time I tell them it is okay to say to no to my instruction.

Off-Beat Lesson #2: It is okay to kick and hit someone who is panicking and holding onto you in the water.

Potential multiple drowning situations are one of the most common forms of swimmer distress. One kid gets in over his head and physically uses the child next to him/her to “climb” out of the situation. And they are extremely hard to detect, as the child being held down is out of site.

When I earned my lifeguarding license through American Red Cross, I had a 300-pound male instructor test my ability to get out of a hold by asking me to close my eyes so he could creep up on me while treading and take me under.

I bet that is how a kid feels when a slightly larger and panicked child grabs onto him. The idea is for the child to get away, using whatever means possible. The idea is for the child to go get the proper help. For water safety tips, go to this American Red Cross link.