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There are statistics about swimming capabilities and socio economic status. They looks the same in just about every country; kids in poorer families are worse a

by bjoli 1y ago

There are statistics about swimming capabilities and socio economic status. They looks the same in just about every country; kids in poorer families are worse at swimming, even in countries with comprehensive swimming education in school. Better swimming ed in school makes the gap narrower. I don't know any recent statistics, but I have seen statistics from the 90s and back then the US was amazingly apalling in that regard. Edit: this is not comprehensive, but Jesus h Christ in a chicken basket: https://www.poolsafely.gov/2017/07/05/new-reports-fatal-drownings-decrease-by-17-percent-swimming-skills-improve/ https://www.poolsafely.gov/2017/07/05/new-reports-fatal-drow...

conductr 1y ago
It takes reps/practice so anyone with more access should be better. Wealthier people are taking more trips to beach, may have a lake house, or have a pool at home even if it’s just a condo/apartment.
- bjoli 1y ago
  This is where I believe in the compensatory nature of the state. Swimming is an important life skill. Someone drowning is expensive for society, and seeing how parents swimming ability is inherited (socially, obviously) you STILL see effects of segregation laws in the US. Pretty crazy.
  - firesteelrain 1y ago
    Swimming lessons are taught by the “State” Florida - http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/523/Aquatic-Center-ClassesPrograms http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/523/Aquatic-Center-ClassesPr... https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Pools https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Park... - Has financial assistance https://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksAndRecreation/AquaticActivities https://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksAndRecreation/AquaticActiviti... https://ymcasouthflorida.org/swim-for-jenny/ https://ymcasouthflorida.org/swim-for-jenny/ https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/campusrec/aquatics/swim-lessons.html https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/campusrec/aquatics/... - Free for kids I am certain you can find plenty of examples
- firesteelrain 1y ago
  Beach and water is free fun in Florida. Everyone does it regardless of socioeconomic bracket. I would assume it’s the same everywhere else that has close access to water.
ncruces 1y ago
But that's also, IMO, why talking about it helps. I didn't start this thread to chastise anyone about it, but to express the idea that, in a country poorer than the US (on average), within 30 years, getting kids to swim early probably contributed significantly to close the gap in drowning mortality (and surpass the US). Also none of my kids knew how to swim by the time they were 4 (as in the article) but all of them had had “swimming” lessons, which basically amounted to us spending around an hour in a pool with them. All I can say from subsequent “close calls” is that, in my experience, even just a little familiarity helps a lot.

by bjoli 1y ago

conductr 1y ago

It takes reps/practice so anyone with more access should be better. Wealthier people are taking more trips to beach, may have a lake house, or have a pool at home even if it’s just a condo/apartment.

bjoli 1y ago
This is where I believe in the compensatory nature of the state. Swimming is an important life skill. Someone drowning is expensive for society, and seeing how parents swimming ability is inherited (socially, obviously) you STILL see effects of segregation laws in the US. Pretty crazy.
- firesteelrain 1y ago
  Swimming lessons are taught by the “State” Florida - http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/523/Aquatic-Center-ClassesPrograms http://www.cityofcocoabeach.com/523/Aquatic-Center-ClassesPr... https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Pools https://www.melbourneflorida.org/Government/Departments/Park... - Has financial assistance https://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksAndRecreation/AquaticActivities https://www.brevardfl.gov/ParksAndRecreation/AquaticActiviti... https://ymcasouthflorida.org/swim-for-jenny/ https://ymcasouthflorida.org/swim-for-jenny/ https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/campusrec/aquatics/swim-lessons.html https://www.southalabama.edu/departments/campusrec/aquatics/... - Free for kids I am certain you can find plenty of examples
firesteelrain 1y ago
Beach and water is free fun in Florida. Everyone does it regardless of socioeconomic bracket. I would assume it’s the same everywhere else that has close access to water.

ncruces 1y ago

But that's also, IMO, why talking about it helps. I didn't start this thread to chastise anyone about it, but to express the idea that, in a country poorer than the US (on average), within 30 years, getting kids to swim early probably contributed significantly to close the gap in drowning mortality (and surpass the US). Also none of my kids knew how to swim by the time they were 4 (as in the article) but all of them had had “swimming” lessons, which basically amounted to us spending around an hour in a pool with them. All I can say from subsequent “close calls” is that, in my experience, even just a little familiarity helps a lot.