Doctors Warn of Risks in Lessons

Though taking children younger than 2 out for a swim can be great recreation and fun, local pediatricians agree that there are risks, even for those who have had lessons.

Most dangerous is the false sense of security some parents experience after a young child has undergone instruction.

“Lessons shouldn’t take the place of vigilance,” said Dr. Mark Freedenberg, who practices in Oxnard and Ventura.

“Parents think that if there’s an accident, they can relax and the child will dog paddle to the side. Some children have a natural diving reflex when they get submerged, but not all of them hold their breath.”

Though Freedenberg enrolled his two children in swimming classes at 1 year old, he questions whether any learning actually takes place.

“They may, in a supervised environment, go from one adult to another adult, but if they fall in the water and it’s a surprise, it may be different. And they may fall in head-first or backward.”

Harvey Harris, a pediatrician in Ventura, said even infants and toddlers who learn to handle themselves in the water have no sense of safety.

“They may have some experience, but they don’t have judgment,” he said.

“They get their face in the water and they don’t know that they should pull it out,” Harris said.

Young children also have trouble remembering what they learn.

Marjean Tinoco and Nancy Garrett, both instructors of swimming classes for infants and toddlers, said that continued time in the water is important after the initial instruction.

Pediatrician Donn Browne of Ventura said in most cases children can retain the knowledge when they are in the water once a week.