Swimming Class Accident Attorneys

Swimming Class Drowning Accidents: An Overlooked Reality

Parents enroll their children in swimming classes with a trio of objectives: enhancing health, providing an enjoyable pastime, and keeping their youngsters safe. What is not on the radar for these mothers and fathers is the idea that their children could lose their lives in swimming pool drowning accidents that occur during instruction class. The fact is that each and every year, children die in preventable swimming pool drowning accidents immediately before, during, or directly after swimming classes.

Call (800) 349-0000 today to learn more about your options.

Rate of Swimming Class Drowning Accidents in the United States

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 3,600 people drown each year in the United States, making it one of the leading causes of injury death among children. Unfortunately, a large portion of these deaths can be attributed to swimming classes and other aquatic activities. In fact, statistics show that almost 400 children under the age of 18 drowned while participating in swimming lessons or other aquatic activities between 2014 and 2018. That breaks down to about 100 children involved in fatal drowning accidents in swimming classes each year.

Factors at Play in Swim Class Drowning Accidents

When it comes to child drowning in swimming classes specifically, there are several factors at play:

• Between 2014 and 2018, the CDC reported that around 70 percent of drowning accidents in swimming classes occurred during periods of instruction
• Another 30 percent happened during recreational time, usually following a period of organized instruction
• Boys aged four to seven had the highest risk of drowning in a swimming class setting, accounting for 43 percent of all fatalities.

Safety Shortcomings and Swimming Class Drowning Accidents

It is important to note that many young children who drown during swimming classes happen because these classes and pools do not have adequate supervision or safety measures in place. According to a study conducted by researchers from Stanford University School of Medicine, nearly 47 percent of all drowning incidents involving young children during swim classes were caused by insufficient surveillance or inadequate safety precautions.

Age-Appropriateness and Swimming Class Drowning Accidents

Another contributing factor is age-appropriateness when it comes to selecting swim classes for young children. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, most drowning deaths happen when toddlers are enrolled in swim lessons meant for older kids or adults. This is because toddlers lack the physical strength and coordination needed for certain skills taught in advanced lessons such as treading water or turning over onto their backs after submerging underwater.

Not All Swimming Instructors are Certified Properly

Finally, parents should also be aware that many swim instructors are not certified by national agencies like the Red Cross or YMCA. The certifications processes offered by these organizations include rigorous training requirements before someone can teach a lesson. While there may be some benefits associated with private lessons such as personal attention and more flexibility with scheduling, they don’t guarantee that instructors possess the necessary knowledge and experience.

Parental Research of Swimming Class Programs

These statistics highlight just how important it is for parents to properly research available swim classes before enrolling their child in one. Ensuring that instructors are well qualified for both shallow and deep-water activities as well as having sufficient lifeguards present at all times can go a long way towards preventing tragedies from occurring due to unsafe conditions around pools and other aquatic settings where young children take part in swimming lessons.

How The Doan Law Firm Can Help

If you are the parent of a child who has been injured or killed in a swimming class drowning accident, The Doan Law Firm team is here for you right now or any time – day or night – that is convenient for you. You can reach our attorneys by calling (800) 349-0000.

As a nationwide law firm, we can schedule an initial consultation with an experienced, caring lawyer at any one of our 40 offices. We can also arrange an initial consultation and case evaluation at your home or online as well. There is never a charge for an initial consultation with a Doan Law Firm lawyer.

The Doan Law Firm Attorney Fee Pledge

The Doan Law Firm guarantees that we will never charge an attorney fee in your case unless we win for you. Our team is committed to fight to win big for you.