Baby Swimming Survival

has anyone in the UK learnt the baby survival swim where they can teach a 6 month old plus if fallen into water to turn over and float on their backs? I was horrified when i came across videos of "floating" babies when searching for funny babies (i needed cheering up and looked for laughng babies to make me smile!) - it's horrible seing them actually fall in i felt sick but what an amazing technique and wondered if anyones managed to teach their babies how to do it and if so how as i can't find any websites on it.

I haven't but it sounds interesting. A swimming centre local to me starts infant swimming lessons at 3 months! I have seen it happenening before, was really facinating to watch these tiny babys swimming. Babies can swim naturally apparently.

I have seen videos of people testing babies natural reflexes, they are very interesting videos to see!

2009-07-11 12:13:17 by Laa Laa

This is AMAZING! Babies are taught to flip over and float if they fall into a pool fully clothed. This would save tons of lives. This video is for ...

Baby swimming? Survival swimming?

Can you tell us where you're located? Many areas have club teams that also offer courses in basic swimming. Try looking on www.usaswimming.org for suggestions for such clubs in your area.

You could also check at a local aquatic center or YMCA.

2008-08-20 07:06:18 by yea102372

i have a 6 foot aquarium and my bristlenose have bred twice now in a hollow log. I have an aquaclear 500 filter on either end. I know when the babies have emerged because half of them end up in the filter.

Do they normally swim towards a current? Will they find their way back out? The numbers seem to drop in the filter after a couple of days and they seem to be able to swim up past the sponge when they need to. Ive tried taking the sponges out, but the water gets dirty after about 2 weeks and is a hassle.

Anyone know of a method to raise these things more effeciently or should i carry on and let survival of the fittest take its course?

* I definitely recommend a Breeder Box! *

2007-09-12 23:52:48 by of Light

I have a sailfin molly in my aquarium that just gave birth. Ive noticed that the fry often swim down along the glass into the gravel and in between the rocks. It looks like they get stuck and I always stir the gravel to let them out. If I didn't do this would they get out on their own? They have a small enough survival rate on their own, I'm just wondering if it's necessary.

The fry are hiding in the gravel. This is their way of survival. They will have no problem coming out on their own. It's actually fascinating watching them maneuver through the gravel bed when they are by the glass. When they are in the gravel, they aren't swimming and aren't attracting the same attention announcing to larger fish "food here". They don't look as tasty if they are hard to reach.

Fry can also obtain sustenance from food debris left in the gravel bed. They need super small pieces, the type that fall through the cracks.

2007-06-20 18:30:47 by Justin A

The first time, my question never showed up and the second time I only got 2 answers (BTW thanks Organic Mom). So here I go again...

Have you heard of teaching your baby the Infant Swimming Resource? It a survival float taught to infants. I have seen it on tv before and they are offering lessons in my area. What do you think of this? http://www.infantswim.com/home.html
My daughter has been "swimming" all summer. We have a pool and my husband would take her in all the time. I did as well. He has dunked her under several times by blowing in her face and she has held her breath. I understand about not being able to handle that, beacause I had to turn my head almost everytime because I was nervous. My niece was taught and is now a great lil swimmer at 2 years old. I believe the earlier the better and educating ouselves and our children.

I didnt see your question at all before. But I most definitely have answers for you....

Yup! I've heard of it. Where I am, we teach it buttttt we begin with a few other things first. Well I don't teach it because my certifications ran out while I was pregnant last year but my sister still teaches it. She starts out with teaching Parent/Toddler swim lessons, even though there are children in the class as young as 6 months. She doesnt do it before six months. You have to teach the baby to hold their breath when they go underwater though or you will have a problem on your hand. How we usually start that at 6 months is you are in the water with your baby, face to face and they have a grip on both index fingers of both hands. Next, you blow in their face and let go. When you blow in their face they automatically shut their eyes real quick and hold their breath. Its a natural reaction. Then you let go and they bob under the water and come back up.

My suggestion, is that if you dont think that you can handle that (my mom said she tried to do it with my sister and I but it made her too nervous. I have had moms take their child right out of our program due to that making them too nervous) then you should not do the lessons. I'm not trying to be harsh but sometimes it does make the parent too nervous, seeing this. But we always require that the parent be present during the lesson and participate as well. It might be a little different with the ISR on that part though.

However, if you think you can do all that...I reccommend it with everything I've got! It is very important to me that my son learn how to swim and I plan on starting it as soon as its warm enough to be in the water (I wanted to start at 6 months, but don't have a membership to the Y and I live in NY so we obviously go through winter). I think you should do it. Its great that your infant know how to swim, with anything that can happen near a pool in the summer or even in a bathtub! I mean, obviously you will still need to watch your child near a pool in the summertime but it will ease your mind to know if he does fall in, he knows what to do and how to swim/keep afloat.

Good Luck!!


ETA: I didn't mean to come accross as rude if I did when I asked if you would be able to handle it. I just know that I've seen mothers who have had no problem and then other mothers who actually would get mad at me. Not saying you would get mad but to be all honest, I dont even know if I would be able to do it yet. From the sounds of it, if the baby did that good over the summer I would DEFINITELY go with the ISR.

2008-11-03 06:41:55 by baby girl is expecting #2