Infants can learn life-saving skills

AUSTIN (KXAN) - At the beginning of July, 60 Texas children had drowned in backyard pools and area waterways.

That's why health officials are urging parents with young kids to teach them life-saving skillis in the water, saying it's never too early to learn to swim.

"Hi, is that water cold? Doesn't it feel good?" said Certified Swim Instructor Robin Bates as she greeted twins Noelle and Bridget.

Even though Noelle and Bridget are just 2 and a half years old, they already know basic survival skills in the water, all thanks to an infant swim program.

"It teaches kids from six months to six years how to survive in the water unseen or unattended," said Bates.

The idea is to teach kids how to hold their breath, roll onto their back and maintain a float until they are ready to flip back over to swim to the side. Kids as young as six months are able to learn these skills through positive reinforcement.

"It's just teaching the child how to posture his or her body in the right way to maintain afloat," said Bates.

The lessons last 10 minutes a day for 4 to 6 weeks.

"The parents come in at the end so we can teach them how to work with their children to reinforce the skills they have learned," said Bates.

It gives kids the building blocks to become lifelong swimmers. Class information is on www.infantswim.com.