The truth about “Self-Rescue” for babies and toddlers
- Helen Hughes
- 6 days ago
- 3 min read
No child — especially no baby — should ever be in a position where they are expected to self-rescue.
Yes, some programmes test children in clothes or pyjamas, and yes, that’s an important step in helping them experience what water feels like in a different context.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Even a clothing drill is still a controlled environment with an instructor right there, ready to intervene. It is not the same as:
Falling in when no one is watching
Landing in water that is cold, murky, or deeper than expected
Being tired, panicked, or sick
Being in a noisy or unfamiliar place where fear overwhelms memory
Skill in a lesson doesn't equal skill in real life
Controlled drills teach muscle memory — which is valuable — but they don’t guarantee that a child will respond the same way in a true emergency. Stress changes everything: breathing rate, coordination, and decision-making. Even adults freeze in panic; how much more so a toddler?
Safety must start with prevention
Teaching a child to float does not absolve adults of responsibility. Real water safety is layered:
Supervision: The number one protection — nothing replaces an attentive adult
Barriers: Fences, pool alarms, locked gates
Progressive Lessons: Confidence-building, gradual skill development, and real decision-making opportunities
Parent Education: Helping parents understand their child’s true level of ability, so they don’t become overconfident
The problem with over-reliance
Flotation devices are criticised for creating a “false sense of security. ”But so can passing a flip-and-float test.
If we teach parents that their child is now “safe” because they can float on command — we risk them letting down their guard.
We must be clear:
Floating is a skill, not a guarantee
Lessons are preparation, not protection
No child is ever drown-proof
A better way forward
The goal should never be “Can this child survive alone?” but rather: “How do we prevent this child from ever needing to?”
That means:
Gentle, developmentally-appropriate teaching that builds trust and a love of the water
Repetition and play that create strong, reliable skills — not just a one-off test result
Education for families that safety is ongoing and multi-layered
Conversation starters & comebacks
Use these when talking with parents or other teachers:
“A clothing test is valuable practice — but it doesn’t replace constant supervision.”
“If flotation devices create a false sense of security, doesn’t a one-off float test risk the same thing?”
“True water safety is a journey — not a certificate.”
“We don’t train babies to crawl out of a burning building — we keep the building safe.”
“Our job is to prevent them from being in a situation where self-rescue is ever needed.”
The Takeaway
We can — and should — teach skills like floating, breath control, and safe entry/exit.But we must never mistake skill acquisition for complete safety.The safest child is the one who never has to self-rescue in the first place.
Would you like me to turn this into two separate pieces — one as a professional article for teachers (to challenge the narrative) and another as a parent-facing social media post (to reassure and educate without sounding anti-safety)? This way, you can influence both sides of the conversation strategically.
Please download a FREE SWIM SAFE document that give guidance about Water Wisdom and creating SMART swimmers.
If you’ve found this blog helpful and you're hungry for more inspiration, guidance, and tried-and-tested ideas to transform your swimming lessons, then why not take the next step?
Join Helen and a growing community of passionate swimming teachers inside the SWIM Squad membership. It’s where the magic really happens – packed with exclusive resources, expert support, and a treasure trove of fresh lesson ideas to keep your teaching fun, purposeful, and progressive. Ready to dive deeper?
Click here to join us today:
Comments