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GRADUATION DAY - Somewhere between 10-20 lessons graduation generally occurs. This varies with each child's ability and temperament. On Graduation Day the child is placed off the side fully clothed and has to be able to go under, surface, (face-up), get their mouth and nose out of the water, and maintain a back float for 5-15 minutes, or a length of time designated by the instructor, without being assisted in any way. If assistance is needed then we try graduation on another day. An instructor is within arms reach of child at all times. The last part of lesson is running the child through all of the rolls and flips with additional parent training, if necessary. Older toddlers may kick to side/steps and pull themselves out, if that has been part of their training.

AFTER GRADUATION - What then:

NEVER leave your child unattended while in or near the water.

Follow all safety precautions and always remember that your child is NOT drown proof. Graduation from Survival Back Float should never be considered a substitute for constant, responsible, parental/adult supervision. It is only one of the many "layers of precaution" that should be implemented for drowning prevention Drowning Prevention Tips.
Adult supervision is a child's only real drown-proofing.

Float your child as often as possible. When entering water make the float the very first thing you practice, then have playtime, integrating float into playtime, and the last thing before getting out, practice float again. Use a pool, spa or full bathtub and have child practice floating where they are comfortable.

Be with them, and let them experience the water. Obviously, always stay close and available to help. If they fall in, let them experience the rewards of their hard work, and assist if/when necessary. They have much to be proud of - praise them - and continue to reinforce the float. The more a child floats the stronger the skill becomes. Balance work and fun.

Talk about your child's floating to others. Let your child talk about it. Call grandparents, family members and friends. Make their successes a BIG DEAL….because they are !!! They deserve praise. With toddlers use photos and videos and continually show them what they can do. This reinforces a sense of accomplishment and confidence in their newly found skill. And above all HAVE FUN…we have all worked very hard mastering this skill.

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The Parents Role

So what should you do as the parent? Click her to find out our suggestions.

WHY WE FOCUS ON SURVIVAL FLOAT

Drowning is caused by an intake of water and loss of air due to a persons inability to keep mouth and nose out of water to breathe. With the lack of success in in ability to breathe, panic begins to set in causing the person to tire. Drowning or near drowning occurs within minutes. This is where the Survival Back Float can be important to the safety of a child. We work with the child to create controlled, movements that aide them in getting to a back float position, without panic, from which they can breathe. They are taught to do this in clothing, as 86% of the children who drown do so fully clothed.

When handled in a positive, loving, gentle and constructive way the opposite actually occurs. How We Teach. A child becomes very confident, comfortable, secure and happy in the water and has a genuine love of the water experience. Trauma is not caused by the back float process,