Drowning Tragedies

[sasvermont]

I learned to swim at an early age. I lived in the Chesapeake Bay (Maryland) area and had access to the water all summer long. We were made to take lessons from the earliest age possible, lessons given by the Red Cross. I still have my Beginner Swimmer button handed out at the end of the summer. I made it through Senior Life Saving. As I recall, the lessons were tough. We swam in all types of weather. A couple of times they nearly drown us, making us swim during hurricane like weather. It was worth it.

I still have a healthy respect for water. You just never know what is below you when swimming. Diving is another story. You can really do some damage diving in unknown water.

I strongly suggest that everyone give their children lessons of some sort.

As far as I know, the lessons were free. I wonder if they are still offered these days? Probably not.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I took swimming lessons at an early age. We always lived where we could go to a community swimming pool. We would also go to the beach and to sometimes to the lakes too. At the community pool in S.C. you had to pass a swimming test before you'd be allowed to go to the pool without an adult. I had to tread water for several minutes and I had to be able to swim the length of the pool. Later on when I was older I also took a life saving course but that was so long ago that I've forgotten most of it. I've always enjoyed swimming but I haven't been in quite a while even though I have two pools where I live. I do think it's important for everyone to learn to how to swim. It could save your life some day.