I had almost the same experience with my four year old this weekend. We were in the public swimming pool and she wanted to put away her swimming ring. So I took

I had almost the same experience with my four year old this weekend. We were in the public swimming pool and she wanted to put away her swimming ring. So I took the ring and moved it away 3 meters. I come back and she immediately jumps into the water where she could not stand. She was under the water for marely a second but I saw the panic in her eyes and I also saw that she didn't move in the water. So I quickly went in and got her out. Luckily we stayed in the water for an hour more after this, so she's probably not afraid of the water. But she wouldn't take off her swimming ring anymore this day.